1960
SHOP AROUND * THE MIRACLES * TAMLA 54034 * USA
It's incredible that this cut, so much part of the early Modernist scene in London, almost belongs to the 1950s. Issued in 1960 this was the Miracles second release on the Tamla label, and the first to mention Bill 'Smokey' Robinson. It was also Motown's first million seller, and was released in three forms, two with the 'lines' as above and one with the 'globe' label. On this cut Marvin Gaye plays drums and Berry Gordy plays piano. Many of the youth in England who heard the line "Don't let your purple heart get you" in the song; took it to be a reference to the 'Purple Heart' pills they had started to use at weekends enabling them to stay unawake all night at parties, and in the first Discothèques, like the Scene in Ham Yard, Soho, and the Flamingo, in Wardour Street, also in Soho.
See also: Happy Landing * Way Over There * Every Body's Gotta Pay Some Dues * You've Really Got A Hold On Me