Special Occasion
Produced by William "Smokey" Robinson
Smokey Robinson wrote 7 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 7 / 11 self-written
Every track is scored by writing credit — whether Smokey Robinson carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Special Occasion is the ninth studio album by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, released in 1968 on Tamla Records. The album produced two major hits that represent some of Robinson's most celebrated songwriting: 'I Second That Emotion,' co-written with Al Cleveland, became a Top 5 pop hit and one of the most frequently covered Motown songs of the era, later sampled by Japan's Yellow Magic Orchestra. 'Yester Love,' also written with Cleveland, demonstrated Robinson's lyrical gift for expressing ambivalence and nostalgia with an almost literary precision. The album arrived at the peak of Motown's cultural dominance, with Robinson at the height of his songwriting powers, simultaneously crafting hits for Mary Wells, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye while leading the Miracles. Special Occasion captures a songwriter in complete command of his craft, producing timeless soul with a depth that belied the era's pop format.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Yester Love
|
Smokey RobinsonAl Cleveland | Smokey RobinsonAl Cleveland | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 2 |
If You Can Want
|
Smokey Robinson | Smokey Robinson | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 3 |
Special Occasion
|
Smokey RobinsonAl Cleveland | Smokey RobinsonAl Cleveland | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 4 |
Everybody Needs Love
|
Norman WhitfieldEdward Holland Jr. | Norman WhitfieldEdward Holland Jr. | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 5 |
Just Losing You
|
William Stevenson | William Stevenson | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 6 |
Give Her Up
|
Smokey Robinson | Smokey Robinson | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 7 |
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
|
Norman WhitfieldBarrett Strong | Norman WhitfieldBarrett Strong | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 8 |
Yesterday
|
John LennonPaul McCartney | John LennonPaul McCartney | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 9 |
Your Mother's Only Daughter
|
Smokey RobinsonAl Cleveland | Smokey RobinsonAl Cleveland | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 10 |
Much Better Off
|
Smokey RobinsonWarren Moore | Smokey RobinsonWarren Moore | William "Smokey" Robinson | |
| 11 |
You Only Build Me Up To Tear Me Down
|
Smokey Robinson | Smokey Robinson | William "Smokey" Robinson |