January 19, 2010

Shop Around - Smokey Robinson and The Miracles (1961)

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[1960-1964 Best Songs]

Billboard Top 100, 1961: #24 The Miracles - The Ultimate Collection: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Shop Around

What's special about Shop Around is what's special about Motown Records. Unlike just about every other label, Motown wasn't relying on acceptance of their sound from white audiences. This allowed the producers and the artist the freedom to express themselves.

Compare this song to Save The Last Dance For Me, which also great, but just more buttoned-down, more conservative. Shop Around lets loose; it's free, and soulful and raw, and yet just as well-produced, with great harmonies and musicianship.

In the end, all of America loved it anyway.

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