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"When Smokey Sings"
Single by ABC
from the album Alphabet City
B-side	"Chicago"
Released	26 May 1987 (1987-05-26)
Studio	Marcus (London, England)
Genre	Blue-eyed soul new wave
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

"When Smokey Sings" is a song by 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.

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." Robinson praised the song, saying, "Well, of course, that's a form of flattery, and I really appreciate it."

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".

Track listings

Charts

References

1. Strickland, Andy (23 May 1987). "News Digest". Record Mirror. p. 28. ISSN 0144-5804.
2. "Alphabet City - ABC - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "80's New Wave: New Wave Dance - Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via AllMusic.
4. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 3 October 1987. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
5. Porter, Christopher (25 August 2008). "ABC, 'When Smokey Sings". Express. The Washington Post.
6. STRAUSS, DUNCAN (12 December 1987). "When Smokey Robinson Sings, His Colleagues Become Fans". Los Angeles Times.
7. BMcIlheney, Barry (20 May – 2 June 1987). "Singles reviewed by Barry McIlheney" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 9, no. 10. p. 46. ISSN 0260-3004. Retrieved 20 November 2023 – via World Radio History.
8. When Smokey Sings (UK 7-inch single sleeve). ABC. Neutron Records. 1987. NT 111, 888 327-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. When Smokey Sings (UK 12-inch single sleeve). ABC. Neutron Records. 1987. NTX 111.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. When Smokey Sings (European & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). ABC. Mercury Records. 1987. 888 604-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. When Smokey Sings (UK 12-inch remix single sleeve). ABC. Neutron Records. 1987. NTXR 111.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. When Smokey Sings (UK CD single liner notes). ABC. Neutron Records. 1987. NTCD 111.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. When Smokey Sings (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). ABC. Mercury Records. 1987. 888 726-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. When Smokey Sings (US maxi-cassette single sleeve). ABC. Mercury Records. 1987. 422 888 726-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. When Smokey Sings (Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc). ABC. Vertigo Records. 1987. SOVX 2389.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
16. When Smokey Sings (Canadian cassette single sleeve). ABC. Vertigo Records. 1987. NTC 111.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
17. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
18. "ABC – When Smokey Sings" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
19. Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 978-1-896594-13-2.
20. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0884." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
21. "European Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 28. 18 July 1987. p. 19.
22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When Smokie Sings". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
24. "ABC – When Smokey Sings" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
25. "ABC – When Smokey Sings". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
26. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (A)". rock.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
27. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
28. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 19 September 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
29. "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. 26 September 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
30. "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. 10 October 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
31. "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. 29 August 1987. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
32. "Offiziellecharts.de – ABC – When Smokey Sings" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
33. "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
34. "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.
35. "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. 26 December 1987. p. Y-22.

External links

• Padua, Pat (18 November 2016). "When Smokey Sings, Forget Everything". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
• When Smokey Sings at Discogs (list of releases)

• 1987 songs
• 1987 singles
• ABC (band) songs
• Cultural depictions of American people
• Cultural depictions of soul musicians
• Mercury Records singles
• Songs written by Mark White (musician)
• Songs written by Martin Fry
• Songs about musicians