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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