Smokey Robinson and the Miracles: ‘Shop Around’

Smokey Robinson thought Barrett Strong should record “Shop Around,” but Gordy persuaded Smokey that he was the right man for the song.

After it came out, Gordy heard it on the radio and found it way too slow. He woke Robinson at 3 a.m. and called him back to the studio to re-cut it — faster and with Robinson’s vocal more prominent. That one worked. The tune reached number one on the R&B Charts, number one on the Cash Box Magazine Top 100 Pop Chart, and number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It is included in Rolling Stones’ magazine’s Top 500 songs of all-time.

Writers: Berry Gordy, Robinson   Producer: Gordy – Released: Dec. ’60, Tamla   *16 weeks; No. 2

(Source)

Lyrics to “Shop Around”

When I became of age, my mother called me to her side

She said, “Son you’re growing up now

Pretty soon you’ll take a bride”

And then she said

“Just because you’ve become a young man now

There’s still some things that you don’t understand now

Before you ask some girl for her hand now

Keep your freedom for as long as you can now”

My mama told me, you better shop around

Oh yeah, you better shop around

Oh, there’s some things that I want you to know now

Just as sure as the wind’s gonna blow now

The women come and the women are gonna go now

Before you tell ’em that you love ’em so now

My mama told me, you better shop around

Oh yeah, you better shop around

I try to get yourself a bargain, son

Don’t be sold on the very first one

Pretty girls come a dime a dozen

I try to find you one who’s gonna give you true loving

Before you take a girl and say, “I do” now

Make sure that her love is true now

My mama told me, you better shop around

Oh hey, hey

Try to get yourself a bargain, son

Don’t be sold on the very first one

Pretty girls come a dime a dozen

I try to find you one who’s gonna give you true loving

Before you take a girl and say, “I do” now

Make sure that her love is true now

Make sure she’s in love with you now

I hate to see you feeling sad and blue now

My mama told me, you better shop around

Oh yeah you better shop around

Oh don’t let the first one get you

No ’cause I don’t wanna see her with you

Oh before you let ’em hold you tight

Oh make sure she’s alright

Before you let ’em take your hand my son

Understand my son, be a man my son

I know you can my son, I love you

Smokey and his daughter, Tamla!

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