Cruisin'_(Smokey_Robinson_song)

Cruisin' (Smokey Robinson song)

Cruisin' (Smokey Robinson song)

1979 single by Smokey Robinson


"Cruisin'" is a 1979 single written, produced, and performed by American singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson for Motown Records' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with the Miracles, "Cruisin'" hit number one on the U.S. Cash Box Top 100 and was also a Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at number four the week of February 2, 1980.[2] It was a top-five hit on the Soul chart as well.[3]

Quick Facts Single by Smokey Robinson, from the album Where There's Smoke... ...

Background

The song was co-written by fellow Miracle Marv Tarplin. "Cruisin'" was an even bigger hit in New Zealand, hitting number one on that country's chart. It is included on Robinson's ninth studio album, Where There's Smoke.... Reportedly, Robinson had a cold when he recorded the song. It was originally intended as a B-side for a remake of "Get Ready".

Charts

More information Chart (1979–1980), Peak position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

D'Angelo version

Quick Facts Single by D'Angelo, from the album Brown Sugar ...

Neo soul musician D'Angelo recorded a cover of the song for his 1995 album Brown Sugar. The cover was released as the album's second single on October 12, 1995, and was commercially successful charting within the top ten of the US R&B charts.[10][11] the album reached sales of 500,000 copies in the United States by October 1995.[12][13] This version appeared in the third episode of the UPN sitcom, Moesha in 1996.

Composition and arrangement

"Cruisin", a cover of Smokey Robinson's 1979 hit of the same name, here features a predominant string section.[14] The longest track on the album, it employs violin, viola and cello, as well as shakers and light percussion, while sleigh bells are featured in the chorus.[15] Flautist Lauryn Vivino contributes with piccolo. The track also features steady piano-playing by D'Angelo,[16] with Brooklyn Funk Essentials-member Bob "Bassy" Brockmann playing the trumpet.[17]

Track listing

  1. "Cruisin'"
  2. "Brown Sugar"

Weekly charts

More information Chart (1995), Peak position ...

Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis version

Quick Facts from the album Duets: Original Soundtrack, B-side ...

Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis performed a cover of the song in the 2000 film Duets. The song is included on the soundtrack of the film and released as a single on September 11, 2000. The duet spent one week at number one on the US Adult Contemporary chart. It was an even bigger hit in Australia and New Zealand, reaching number one on both country's singles charts, and in Iceland, where it climbed to number four in November 2000.

Track listing

Australian and German CD single[27][28]

  1. "Cruisin'" (by Paltrow and Lewis) – 4:51
  2. "Feeling Alright" (by Lewis) – 4:02
  3. "Beginnings / Endings" (by David Newman) – 1:59

Charts

Weekly charts

More information Chart (2000–2001), Peak position ...

Year-end charts

More information Chart (2000), Position ...
More information Chart (2001), Position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

Release history

More information Region, Date ...

Other covers

  • In 1988, crossover thrash band Beowülf covered the song on their album Lost My Head... But I'm Back on the Right Track.
  • Holly Cole, a Canadian jazz singer, covered "Cruisin'" on her 1990 album Girl Talk.
  • In 2001, saxophonist Jaared covered this song on his album Foreword.[42] Three years later, the late bassist Wayman Tisdale included a cover of the song on his album Hangtime.[43][44]
  • Filipino acoustic band MYMP released their version on the album The Unreleased Acoustic Collection and again on Back to Acoustic in 2013.
  • Japanese singer Maki Ohguro (大黒 摩季 Ōguro Maki) released her version on the 2007 compilation album Best of Best 1000.[45]
  • Coolio has also sampled this song. Although the verse lyrics are changed in his song, the chorus is the same.

See also


References

  1. Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  2. "Smokey Robinson". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 497.
  4. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 202.
  6. "Top 100 1980-02-16". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  7. "Top Selling Singles of 1980 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. December 31, 1980. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  8. "1980 Talent in Action – Year End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 92, no. 51. December 20, 1980. p. TIA-10. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  9. Billboard Singles: Brown Sugar. AllMusic. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  10. Ayers, Anne. "D'Angelo Cruisin' Through His First Tour. USA Today: 14.D. November 1, 1995.
  11. Shapiro (2006), p. 104.
  12. Metal Lungies: Remix Tuesdays - D’Angelo Part 4. Metal Lungies. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
  13. W & A's Record Reviews: D'Angelo. Warr.org. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
  14. Discogs: Bob "Bassy" Brockmann Discography. Discogs. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
  15. "D'Angelo – Cruisin'". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  16. Cruisin' (Australian CD single liner notes). Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis. Hollywood Records, Festival Mushroom Records. 2000. 019892.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. Cruisin' (German CD single liner notes). Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis. Hollywood Records. 2000. 0122175HWR.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (24.11–1.12 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 24, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  19. "The Best of 2000: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 50.
  20. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  21. "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-81. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  22. "Huey Lewis Gwyneth Paltrow: Cruisin'" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1367. September 8, 2000. p. 39. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  23. "New Releases". netcd.co.nz. November 27, 2000. Archived from the original on December 1, 2000. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  24. "25 Best Slow Jams of All Time". Essence.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

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