The second feature in the Know Good Classics series, Cruisin’, is a soft & soulful trip by Smokey Robinson. It features Robinson’s delicate sound, accompanied with some (uncredited) backup vocals which harmonize with Robinson wonderfully. The song rekindles my appreciation for The Miracles and R&B, in general. It’s a perfect song for a nice, comforting night with a loved one.
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I recently heard the song in a teen flick, “I Love You, Beth Cooper” (not worth watching). It was also remade in 2000 by Huey Lewis & Gweneth Paltrow for the movie, “Duets“. A well done remake, but it’s got nothing on the original (plus the movie looks liked it flopped). Here is a clip of it from the movie…
Artist Information:
Genre: R&B, Soul
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Member of: The Miracles
Label: Motown Records
Additional Albums: A Quiet Storm | One Heartbeat | [...]
Similar Artists: The Temptations | Marvin Gaye
Links: Official Site | MySpace | Facebook | Wikipedia | Rock Hall | Bio.com | Motown | iLike | Last.fm | Y! Music | AllMusic
Track Information:
Album: Where There’s Smoke
Release Date: May 22, 1979
Buy Links: Amazon | Amazon Mp3 | iTunes
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Hi. I’ve been trying, without much success, to find a recording of Cruisin’ that I remember hearing in the 80′s. It was definitely a duet, played frequently on local soul/R&B stations in Seattle. I am pretty sure it wasn’t Ashford & Simpson, but for the life of me, I cannot find it anywhere. Are you familiar with this? It’s NOT the Lewis/Paltrow recording, but it’s nearly identical, but sung by different artists and recorded much earlier. Thanks.
It’s not listed on its wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruisin%27_(song). How popular was it? I have found a few renditions on YouTube, but they all seem to be recent, unknown artists.
Thanks for your reply, Cory. I could just really have my timing messed up… happens when you get older.
I thought it was fairly popular. I remember singing the harmony with it on the radio and fairly frequently. Lewis and Paltrow did it ten years ago. I dunno. Maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe it wasn’t as long ago as I thought. I just find it hard to believe they were the first to cover it as a duet and get airplay. I remember smoother male vocals, and really good harmony, so it can’t be Marvin. Maybe I’m just losing it. Age: it’s a funny thing.
Haha, you’re right, I doubt that was the first cover, but it may have been some local artists from Seattle, and never caught on nationally (Seattle’s ahead of the curve in music). I’ll look out for it, and report back if I find it. If you ever figure out the artists, I can try and find it for you and post it here. Good luck!
I also have been relentlessly searching for this elusive “cruisin” duet..it was so damn lovely! Definetely remeber hearin it in the late 80s
Thank you so much for commenting! It makes me feel a little less crazy. I *know* it’s out there. Just need to find out who did it. Somebody like Ashford and Simpson. Just not sure who. What part of the country were you listening in?