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"Laughing Boy" is a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson and recorded and released as a single by early Motown star Mary Wells in 1963. The single is notable for being the song to break a consecutive streak of top ten hits Wells had scored between mid-1962 and early-1963.

Overview

Song information

In this song, the narrator consoles her boyfriend whom she feels is feeling "gloomy and blue" despite his public image that shows him in a happier mood. Appearing to think she doesn't love him, Wells tries pleading to her boyfriend to "smile once more" saying she still loves him "as she did before". The song features background singers imitating the man's appropriated laughter in a solemn tone.

Release and reaction

When the song was set for release, Motown executives were confident the record would continue Wells' streak of top ten hits which included "The One Who Really Loves You", "You Beat Me to the Punch" and "Two Lovers". However, the single stalled at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Hot R&B charts. In spite of its failure not to reach the top ten, the song is still revered as a classic.

Cash Box described it as "a captivating cha cha beat opus...that the canary delivers with a soft, ear-appealing 'Two Lovers' flavor," saying Wells gets "strong vocal support from Andantes Love-Tones."

Personnel

• Lead vocal by Mary Wells
• Background vocals by The Andantes and The Love Tones
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 617.
2. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 16, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-01-12.

• 1963 singles
• Mary Wells songs
• Motown singles
• Songs written by Smokey Robinson
• Song recordings produced by Smokey Robinson
• 1963 songs