When Smokey Sings

"When Smokey Sings" is a song by the English pop band ABC, released as the first single from their fourth studio album Alphabet City (1987). The lyrics and title of the song are a tribute to R&B and soul singer Smokey Robinson. In the United States, Robinson's single "One Heartbeat" and ABC's "When Smokey Sings" were ranked in the Billboard 100 pop chart simultaneously for several weeks, including the week ending 3 October 1987, in which both songs ranked in the top 10.^[4]

"When Smokey Sings"
Single by ABC
from the album Alphabet City
B-side	"Chicago"
Released	25 May 1987 (1987-05-25)[1]
Studio	Marcus (London, England)
Genre	Blue-eyed soul[2] new wave[3]
Length	4:22
Label	Neutron Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Martin Fry Mark White
Producer(s)	Martin Fry Mark White Bernard Edwards
ABC singles chronology
"Ocean Blue" (1986) "When Smokey Sings" (1987) "The Night You Murdered Love" (1987)
Music video
"When Smokey Sings" on YouTube

Background

"When Smokey Sings" and its B-side "Chicago" also topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart and became ABC's second American top-10 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. There is a slight difference in the lyrics between the album and single version in the bridge of the song.

The album version contains references to "Luther," "Sly," "James" and "Marvin" (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly Stone, James Brown and Marvin Gaye, respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternative lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.

The bassline of the song is an homage to Robinson's 1970 hit single with the Miracles "The Tears of a Clown."^[5] Robinson praised the song, saying, "Well, of course, that's a form of flattery, and I really appreciate it."^[6]

Critical reception

Barry McIlheney of Smash Hits was critical of "When Smokey Sings", stating that "this isn't half as good as any of their older stuff" and that Smokey Robinson, to whom it was a tribute, "deserves a lot better than this".^[7]

Track listings

7-inch single[8] A. "When Smokey Sings" B. "Chicago" (part one) UK, European, and Australian 12-inch single[9][10] A. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02 B. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38 UK 12-inch remix single[11] A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) B1. "When Smokey Sings" (bonus beats) B2. "Chicago" (part one) B3. "When Smokey Sings" UK CD single[12] "When Smokey Sings" (7-inch) – 4:21 "All of My Heart" (live from Boston Metro, 17 December 1982) – 6:48 "Chicago" – 1:45 "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02

US 12-inch and maxi-cassette single[13][14] A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02 A2. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38 B1. "When Smokey Sings" (7-inch version) – 4:21 B2. "When Smokey Sings" (bonus beats) – 4:38 B3. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) – 6:47 Canadian 12-inch single[15] A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02 B1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) – 6:47 B2. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38 Canadian cassette single[16] A1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Miami mix) – 7:02 A2. "When Smokey Sings" (bonus beats) – 4:38 B1. "When Smokey Sings" (the Detroit mix) – 6:47 B2. "Chicago" (parts one and two) – 6:38

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1987) Peak position Australia (Australian Music Report)[17] 25 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 12 Canada (The Record)[19] 2 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[20] 5 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[21] 18 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 11 Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[23] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[24] 11 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[25] 13 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] 9 Quebec (ADISQ)[27] 3 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[28] 20 UK Singles (OCC)[29] 11 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 5 US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[31] with "Chicago" 8 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[32] 2 US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)[33] with "Chicago" 1 West Germany (GfK)[34] 52

Year-end charts Chart (1987) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[35] 98 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[36] 47 US Billboard Hot 100[37] 70