Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 159^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. 

“Ilove you and all I want you to do / Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me / Tighter / Tighter.”  The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 159^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me”, performed by 🎙 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

“I don’t like you / But I love you / Seems that I’m always / Thinking of you.” Ooh-wee!  🎵 “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” appears as the opening track on 🎙 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ 1963 album, 💿 The Fabulous Miracles.  Written and produced by 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Smokey Robinson, who also sings lead, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” is one of the best and biggest hits by the legendary Motown act.  How well did this love-driven joint perform on the pop charts? Well, it peaked at no. 8, earning it the honors of one of the collective’s six top-10 hits.

There’s plenty to ❤️ about “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me.” The theme of love that you can’t quit is incredibly relatable. Robinson conveys it superbly from a vocal and songwriting perspective.

“I don’t want you

But I need you

Don’t want to kiss you

But I need to.”

Woo! He brings plenty of personality to the table, via a once-in-a-lifetime tenor.  Also, we can’t fail to mention The Miracles, who bring the heat 🥵 as well. Speaking of other aspects of the songwriting, what about that lilting feel? This record executes 12/8 superbly 💪. Gotta love how the piano carries those triplets, not to mention the drum groove, and the way that the rest of the rhythm section is locked in.  Furthermore, what about those horns 🎺 🎷? All told, 🎵 “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” ranks among those utterly sublime, early, Motown classics. It’s old, but still lit 🔥!

🎙 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles • 💿 The Fabulous Miracles • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1963

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 159 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]