Most frequent collaboratorWilliam "Smokey" Robinson · 176 tracks
GenresR&BSoulMotownPop
Collaborator
59%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 120 of 203 tracks
Did Smokey Robinson write his own songs?
Yes, most of them. Smokey Robinson is one of the great Motown songwriters, credited on around 59% of the songs in this catalogue, and he wrote or co-wrote his classics like 'The Tracks of My Tears,' 'Ooo Baby Baby,' and 'Cruisin'.' He usually wrote with his Miracles bandmates and Motown colleagues. His 1980s comeback hits 'Just to See Her' and 'One Heartbeat' were written by outside writers.
By the Numbers
20
Studio Albums
203
Tracks Credited
59%
Self-Written
71
Years Active
140
Collaborators
Authorship Breakdown 120 / 203 self-written
Who wrote the songs?
Across all 203 tracks: how many Smokey Robinson wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.
Smokey Robinson has a writing credit59%
27%
32%
41%
Sole author55tracks27%
Co-written65tracks32%
Outside writers83tracks41%
Role Fingerprint how they contribute
Smokey Robinson's roles across the catalogue
Share of all 203 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.
Lyricist (words)59%
Composer (music)59%
Producer13%
Performer100%
Authorship Over Time writing credit per album
Smokey Robinson's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.
avg 59%
91%
90%
92%
33%
58%
64%
33%
67%
0%
78%
89%
100%
0%
86%
50%
44%
78%
67%
8%
89%
1961Hi... We're the Miracles
1962Cookin' with the Miracles
1965Going to a Go-Go
1966Away We a Go-Go
1967Make It Happen
1968Special Occasion
1969Four in Blue
1971One Dozen Roses
1972Flying High Together
1973Smokey
1974Pure Smokey
1975A Quiet Storm
1977Deep in My Soul
1979Where There's Smoke...
1981Being with You
1982Yes It's You Lady
1987One Heartbeat
1999Intimate
2006Timeless Love
2023Gasms
Early · 65% written
Mid · 57% written
Late · 53% written
Authorship by Decade track-weighted
65%
1960s
Going to a Go-Go, Make It Happen +5 more
57%
1970s
A Quiet Storm, One Dozen Roses +5 more
58%
1980s
Being with You, Yes It's You Lady +1 more
67%
1990s
Intimate
8%
2000s
Timeless Love
89%
2020s
Gasms
Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author
Where Smokey Robinson sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.
Smokey Robinson
Other artists on the site
Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.
Bubble size = tracks worked on together. SF Sid Feller
The Authorship Story
Data Insight
Smokey Robinson wrote virtually everything he recorded, for The Miracles AND his solo catalog. He also wrote for other Motown artists (Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye), making him one of Motown's defining creative voices. As a recording artist, his authorship score approaches 100%, with only rare covers interrupting an otherwise complete record of self-penned or co-penned material. His co-writes with Miracles bandmates like Warren Moore and Marvin Tarplin are genuine collaborative credits, not outside-writer intrusions.
Quick Facts
Rock HallInducted as a solo artist in 1988, and again with the Miracles in 2012
The MiraclesFounder and frontman of Motown's Miracles from 1955 to 1972
Motown executiveServed as a vice president of Motown Records
Wrote for othersWrote 'My Girl' for the Temptations and 'My Guy' for Mary Wells
Co-writersWrote many hits with his Miracles bandmates, including guitarist Marv Tarplin
Creative Fingerprint
A Motown master songwriter: Smokey Robinson wrote or co-wrote the majority of his catalogue, usually alongside his Miracles bandmates like Warren Moore and Marv Tarplin, though his 1980s comeback leaned on songs by outside writers.
The Story
William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. founded The Miracles in 1955 and became one of Motown's most important figures, serving as the group's lead singer and also as a prolific songwriter and in-house producer who helped define the label's sound. Berry Gordy called him "the greatest living poet," and Bob Dylan praised his songwriting in similar terms; Robinson wrote enduring classics for Mary Wells, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye in addition to his own recordings. After leaving The Miracles in 1972, he launched a successful solo career that continued for decades, producing silky, introspective R&B and earning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.
Awards & Recognition
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1988
Inducted again with the Miracles in 2012
Founder and frontman of the Miracles, one of Motown's pioneering groups
Wrote 'My Girl' for the Temptations and 'My Guy' for Mary Wells, among many Motown hits for other artists
One of the most important songwriters in the history of soul and R&B
Frequently Asked Questions Smokey Robinson
Did Smokey Robinson write his own songs?
Yes, most of them. Smokey Robinson is one of the great Motown songwriters, credited on around 59% of the songs in this catalogue, and he wrote or co-wrote his classics like 'The Tracks of My Tears,' 'Ooo Baby Baby,' and 'Cruisin'.' He usually wrote with his Miracles bandmates and Motown colleagues. His 1980s comeback hits 'Just to See Her' and 'One Heartbeat' were written by outside writers.
Who wrote 'The Tracks of My Tears'?
'The Tracks of My Tears' (1965) was co-written by Smokey Robinson with his Miracles bandmates Warren 'Pete' Moore and Marv Tarplin. It is one of the most celebrated songs of the Motown era.
Did Smokey Robinson write songs for other artists?
Yes, many. As a Motown writer and executive, he wrote 'My Girl' for the Temptations and 'My Guy' for Mary Wells, plus hits for the Marvelettes, the Contours, and others.
Who wrote 'The Tears of a Clown'?
'The Tears of a Clown' was co-written by Smokey Robinson with Stevie Wonder and Hank Cosby. Wonder and Cosby came up with the circus-like melody, and Robinson added the lyrics.
Was Smokey Robinson in a group?
Yes. He was the founder and lead singer of the Miracles, one of Motown's first and most important groups, from 1955 until 1972, when he left to focus on being a Motown vice president.
Who wrote 'Cruisin''?
'Cruisin'' (1979), his solo-era comeback hit, was co-written by Smokey Robinson with his longtime collaborator, guitarist Marv Tarplin.
How many albums has Smokey Robinson released?
This catalogue covers 20 of his albums, spanning his work with the Miracles and his long solo career from the 1960s to Gasms (2023).
Is Smokey Robinson in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, twice. He was inducted as a solo artist in 1988 and again as a member of the Miracles in 2012.
Who did Smokey Robinson write with?
Mostly his Miracles bandmates, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronnie White, and guitarist Marv Tarplin, along with Motown founder Berry Gordy and, on 'The Tears of a Clown,' Stevie Wonder.
What genre is Smokey Robinson?
He is a foundational soul and R&B artist, central to the Motown sound, known for his smooth falsetto and poetic, romantic lyrics.
Smokey Robinson
