Mickey's Monkey (song)
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2016) |
| "Mickey's Monkey" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by the Miracles | ||||
| from the album The Miracles Doin' Mickey's Monkey | ||||
| B-side | "Whatever Makes You Happy" | |||
| Released | July 26, 1963 | |||
| Recorded | July 9–10, 1963 | |||
| Studio | Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 2:48 | |||
| Label | Tamla T 54083 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Holland–Dozier–Holland | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| The Miracles singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Mickey's Monkey" is a 1963 song recorded by the R&B group
Overview
Described by Miracles lead singer
A comical story about "A cat named Mickey from out of town" (
Recorded in the Motown studios with an intended "live party" feel, the track begins with Smokey Robinson asking: "Alright, is everybody ready?" to which the crowd, in unison, responds enthusiastically: "Yes!". This is followed by Smokey saying: "Alright now, here we go. A one, a two, a one, two, three, four", before the drum issue in the chorus.
In addition to The Miracles' contribution, "Mickey's Monkey" also featured background vocals by
Chart performance
| Chart (1963) | Peak position |
|---|---|
US R&B Singles
|
3 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
| Canada CHUM Chart[1] | 10 |
Other versions
This song has inspired later versions by
It was also used in the soundtrack of the award-winning 1964
The song's B-side was "Whatever Makes You Happy", a song that, while not charting nationally, did become a hit on several regional charts, and has inspired a cover version by singer Jacki Gore. It was also the title cut of the 1993 Motown/Rhino CD compilation, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Whatever Makes You Happy (More of the Best).
Personnel
The Miracles
- Smokey Robinson — lead vocals
- Claudette Robinson— background vocals
- Bobby Rogers — background vocals
- Pete Moore — background vocals
- Ronnie White — background vocals
- Marv Tarplin — guitar
Additional personnel
- Mary Wilson — background vocals
- Martha Reeves — background vocals
- Rosalind Ashford — background vocals
- Annette Beard — background vocals
- "Jockey Jack" Gibson — background vocals
- The Temptations — background vocals
- The Marvelettes — background vocals
- The Funk Brothers — other instrumentation
- Brian Holland — producer
- Lamont Dozier — producer
References
- Hits Of The Sixties: The Million Sellers by Demitri Coryton and Joseph Murrells, p. 82, Batsford Ltd., 1990, ISBN 978-0713458510
- Motown DVD: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances (1963-1987)
- Andrew Hamilton-Allmusic (Mickey's Monkey/Bo Diddley connection)
- The Miracles perform "Mickey's Monkey" live- Motortown Revue Vol 2 album and CD;, their 1969 album: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: LIVE! LP, and the group's final live album; Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: 1957-1972– these latter two are now available on CD in the Motown/HIP-O Select release,Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The LIVE Collection.
