1963 was the year Motown really began to find its footing.  After only having hits sporadically over the previous two years, Motown scored no less than six hit songs this year.  Martha and the Vandellas, the group that brought us probably the ultimate Motown song “Dancing In The Street,” broke through in 1963 with “Come And Get These Memories” and especially “Heat Wave,” while Marvin Gaye scored one of his first hits, “Pride And Joy” (the transition music for today’s column) and some 12 year old kid named Stevie Wonder made a name for himself on “Fingertips.”  But among those who made the biggest splash from the Motor City this year was a band that had previously hit two years prior with “Shop Around.”  And now, for the 100 billionth time, Smokey Robinson is a genius.

“You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” – The Miracles

#8 peak
#65 year-end

When it comes to soul music, not just from the Motown era but for all time, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles are essential.  And “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” is probably the best example of their early sound, back when doo-wop was morphing into Motown soul.  Not only that, but the lyrical content was so powerful that all these years later, it remains one of the most prominent examples of using the grounds of soul music to sing about pain and heartbreak.

It’s yet another song in 12/8 time, but the piano from The Funk Brothers is effective in setting the light mood for the song, and that bluesy four note opening guitar riff from Marv Tarplin is just soul personified.  And as with nearly all their other songs, the harmonies from The Miracles are great all around, particularly the lead vocal harmonies from Smokey and Bobby Rogers.

But what really makes “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” stand out is the subject matter.  Unlike the love songs and dance songs the Motown factory usually cranked out, this song is quite depressing behind the peppy music and the soulful harmonies.  Granted, soul music was already familiar with singing about breakups and heartbreak, but they had never quite reached this level before. “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” is about a cruel, controlling girlfriend that the protagonist of the song is stuck in a relationship with.  This subject matter is dark, but it’s familiar for 1963.  In fact, to be honest, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” reminds me an awful lot of a song I put on the worst list.

Those who read my worst list will know that I highlighted “I Can’t Stay Mad At You,” written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and performed by Skeeter Davis.  These songs are awfully similar in terms of subject matter, with both songs being about giving in to a dominating lover and staying in a toxic relationship.  So how can I like one, but not the other?  Well, there are several reasons.  First off, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” has a better melody, and while Skeeter Davis wasn’t a bad singer, Smokey Robinson is in another league.  He could be so smooth and sensual, yet so impassioned, all in the same song.  

But the main reason why “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” blows “I Can’t Stay Mad At You” out of the water is the portrayal of the relationship.  The big reason I couldn’t stand “I Can’t Stay Mad At You” is that Skeeter seemed so resigned about the fact that she was in a bad relationship.  He cheated on her, he lied to her, he probably skipped out on dates to watch Jersey Shore… but she didn’t seem to care.  All that mattered was that she was in a relationship, and she would rather deal with the cheating rather than break up with that raving lunatic and be her own woman.  But in “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me,” you can feel the conflict.  You can feel the pain.  

This song is about the devastation of being in love with someone you know is bad for you.  And while there are no specific examples listed as to why this is a bad relationship, it doesn’t sugarcoat it.  The conflict of love can be a brutal thing for some people, and this song sums it up.  How can you walk away from someone who brings you so much joy, even if you know she’s not right for you?  Adding to that, just listen to Smokey Robinson’s delivery.  It sounds as if it hurt him just to sing the lyrics, as if the song’s conflict is happening to him.  He struggles just to sing the song’s title.  Just like “The Tears Of A Clown,” quite possibly the greatest song the Miracles ever made, Smokey is stuck putting on a show to hide the fact that his wife or girlfriend isn’t right for her.  

If you’re going to take on a subject as brutal as a toxic relationship, you need to be blunt.  You need to demonstrate both sides of the issue, why you want to stay and also why you want to leave.  Songs like this only work when you can understand the conflict between him being mistreated and his emotions, and “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” succeeds with flying colors.  More than any other early Motown song, it’s the song that paved the way for all the legendary singles that were to follow.

UP NEXT: The best vocal performance of the year at #4.

IMAGE SOURCES

The Fabulous Miracles album cover from Amazon

Image of the Miracles from Oldies 92.7