"Just to See Her" by Smokey Robinson

Top 10 Alert!

Grammy Alert!

Song#:  3071
Date:  03/28/1987
Debut:  89
Peak:  8
Weeks:  21
Genre:  R&B, Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Robinson had a solo career peak moment in 1981 when his album Being with You went gold thanks to the #1 R&B/#2 Pop title track hit, which was also a gold seller. His follow-up albums were less successful as were his singles with only two songs making the R&B Top 10. It probably didn't help that at the time he was struggling with an addiction and in the process of divorcing his wife. It was a dark period for the legend. He started to get his life back in order in '86 and with a new outlook he headed back into the studio to record his sixteenth solo studio effort One Heartbeat. This first single was issued out and it was welcomed with open arms. The tune became a major hit reaching #1 at AC, #2 at R&B, and #8 Pop. In turn, the album would get to #1 R&B and #26 Pop. Eventually it would become the second gold album of his solo career.

ReduxReview:  This was just the perfect tune to get Robinson back in the marketplace. It fit him like a glove. Not since "Being with You" had he sounded so lively and engaged. The song itself was wonderfully written and with the exception of the keyboard solo, the production had a timeless quality. It was one of those songs that just filled you with a pleasant feeling. There was just no doubt that this was going to be a hit.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This song earned Robinson his first Grammy award. He won for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. The song received a nod for Best R&B Song for its writers Jimmy George and Lou Pardini. Prior to this, Robinson had two nominations to his credit. One for his 1979 solo performance of "Crusin'" and one with The Miracles for their 1967 hit "I Second That Emotion." Robinson would grab three more nominations over the years. He would also be honored with two more non-competitive Grammys, the Grammy Legends award and the Lifetime Achievement award.

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