Classic Pop Icons

The Miracles’ timeless hit “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” is “Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” joins the likes of “Rock Around the Clock” and “Be-Bop-a-Lula” in the list of classic recordings that were originally only deemed worthy of B-side status. As was often the case, savvy DJs recognised the hit potential of the song and it soon replaced “(Have A) Happy Landing” as the A-side.

The single was released in November, 1962 and the song was also featured on the 1963 album “The Fabulous Miracles.”

Although only 22-years-old when “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” was recorded, The Miracles’ lead singer Smokey Robinson was already Vice President of Motown Records and well established as the most important creative force at the label. Smokey had written and recorded Motown’s first million seller in 1960, “Shop Around,” which also hit number one on Billboard’s R&B chart, and he was also having success writing for other artists, including a trio of top 10 hits for Mary Wells – “The One Who Really Loves You,” “You Beat Me to the Punch” and “Two Lovers.”

Smokey has said that the inspiration for “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” came from wanting to replicate the mood and spirit of Sam Cooke’s classic “Bring It On Home To Me.” The infectious doo wop melody, close harmonies, and general interplay with the backing vocalists do evoke the Cooke classic, but it’s lyrical themes are a real departure. From the outset of the song, we encounter the unexpected juxtaposition of the contrasting statements – “I don’t like you, but I Love you.” Most love songs directed at the pop market either celebrate a relationship or bemoan unrequited or lost love, but here we have Smokey taking a more imaginative angle, with the girl featured as both the object of his affection and the source of his frustration. The song further explores the irrationality of his love and the sometimes fine line between love and hate with lyrics such as:

In modern parlance, the singer’s girlfriend appears to be employing “treat ’em mean, keep ’em keen” tactics.

Any discussion of “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” is not complete without mention of the brilliant intro, which comprises a bluesy piano line followed by Marv Tarplin’s simple but classic guitar riff. Great pop songs feature moments that make you want to play them time and time again. The intro is one of several such moments on this recording.

For all its strengths, the recording is not perfect. There are (dare I say it?) some tuning issues here and there, but some would argue (and I would agree) that such imperfections give character to a recording and make them much more appealing than the faultless but often charmless autotuned perfection of many modern pop songs.

The Miracles – “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”

“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

Authorship

The words and music for “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” were written solely by Smokey Robinson.

Recording date/location

“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” was recorded on October 16, 1962 in Studio A of Hitsville USA, Detroit.

Musicians

The Miracles were:

• Smokey Robinson – lead vocal
• Bobby Rogers – harmony lead vocal and backing vocal
• Pete Moore – backing vocal
• Ronnie White – backing vocal
• Claudette Rogers Robinson – backing vocal.
• Marv Tarplin – guitar.

The rest of the instrumentation was provided by Motown’s legendary house band The Funk Brothers.

Chart performance

“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart on February 10, 1963. The single knocked the Smokey Robinson-penned Mary Well’s single “Two Lovers” off the top spot.

“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” peaked at number eight on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Other notable recordings

The Beatles – “You Really Got a Hold on Me”

The Beatles’ version of the song is probably as well known as the original. The band were on the cusp of superstardom when they featured the song on their second album “With The Beatles” in November 1963. It’s a fairly straight cover, with John Lennon taking the lead vocal duties and George Harrison singing harmony. George Martin plays the important piano part.

The Beatles’ cover undergoes a minor title change, with “You’ve” becoming “You.”

The song remained a favourite with the band and would feature in their 1970 documentary movie “Let It Be” which featured footage of the sessions for the album of the same name.

The Small Faces – “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”

The Small Faces gave “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” an ‘in your face’ blues rock treatment, with Steve Marriott’s strong and intense lead vocals suiting the lyric.

The song was a worthwhile inclusion on the band’s 1967 album “From The Beginning.”

There will be a new Song of the Week on October 3.

“You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” is available on the greatest hits set “Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – The Definitive Collection.” It is also on the excellent 2-CD compilation “The Miracles: Depend On Me” which features the group’s first four albums, including “The Fabulous Miracles.”

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The Miracles – Depend On Me: The Early Albums (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – The Definitive Collection (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now