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Going to a Go-Go (song)

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Wikipedia article




"'Going to a Go-Go'" is a 1965 single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label.

The Miracles' original version



Smokey Robinson sings lead on "Going to a Go-Go", which he co-wrote with fellow Miracles Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, and Marv Tarplin. Moore, Rogers, Ronnie White, and Smokey Robinson's wife Claudette Robinson provide backing vocals for the song, an up-tempo dance song inviting people of all walk of life to attend a go-go party. Miracles Robinson and Pete Moore were the song's producers. In the Motown DVD release 'Smokey Robinson And The Miracles: The Definitive Performances', Miracles member and co-writer Bobby Rogers commented that this song was inspired by the success of the "Go-go" clubs that grew in popularity throughout the United States in the 1960s. While at first a regional phenomenon, the success of this Miracles song ignited a nationwide fad for go-go music in America.

Issued in December 1965, "Going to a Go-Go" peaked at number 11 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in the United States the following spring. In addition, the single peaked at number-two on the 'Billboard' Hot R&B Singles chart and was The Miracles' fifth million-selling record."Hits Of The Sixties: The Million Sellers"- by Demitri Coryton & Joseph Murrells (pg 131)

'Cash Box' described it as a "hard-driving, bluesy handclapper with an infectious repeating rhythmic riff" and felt the song was "ultra-commercial."

"Going to a Go-Go" is featured on the Miracles' album of the same name, which proved to be their highest-charting LP of all-original material. The album reached the Top Ten of the 'Billboard' Top 200 Albums chart in early 1966, peaking at number eight, and reached #1 on the 'Billboard' top R&B albums chart. In 2003, the Miracles' 'Going To A Go-Go' album was ranked number 271 on 'Rolling Stone' magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

One of the tracks from the 'Going to a Go-Go' LP, "Choosey Beggar", was issued as the single's b-side, and was also a hit, peaking at number 35 on the 'Billboard' R&B chart.

The opening drum intro was sped up and copied by Showaddywaddy on the group's self penned debut single "Hey Rock 'N' Roll" in 1974.

Personnel

'The Miracles'

*Smokey Robinson lead vocals, producer

*Marv Tarplin 12-string lead guitar

*Bobby Rogers background vocals, co-writer

*Ronnie White background vocals

*Pete Moore background vocals, co-writer, vocal arranger

*Claudette Rogers Robinson background vocals

'Other instrumentation by The Funk Brothers'Liner notes. 'The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 5: 1965', Hip-O Select B0006775-02, USA, 04 Aug 2006

*Eddie Willis rhythm guitar

*Earl Van Dyke piano

*James Jamerson bass

*Benny Benjamin drums

*Eddie "Bongo" Brown percussion

*Jack Ashford tambourine

The Rolling Stones live version



"Going to a Go-Go" was covered by The Rolling Stones on their 1982 live album 'Still Life'. Released as the album's first single, the Stones' version "Going to a Go-Go" reached number 26 in the British charts and number 25 in the United States. Both the single and the album were released in the middle of the European tour of the band in 1982. Other versions of the song are included on the band's 'Live at Leeds' and 'Hampton Coliseum' live albums.

Personnel

*Mick Jagger lead vocals

*Keith Richards guitar, background vocals

*Ronnie Wood guitar

*Bill Wyman bass

*Charlie Watts drums

;Other instrumentation

*Ian Stewart piano

*Ian McLagan keyboards, background vocals

*Ernie Watts saxophone

*The Glimmer Twins producers

Charts

Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Other covers



The song was also a UK top 50 hit in 1975 by The Sharonettes.

Phil Collins recorded a cover during the sessions of his 2010 album 'Going Back'.

The Miracles' "Going To A Go-Go" was referenced by Arthur Conley in his 1967 hit tune, "Sweet Soul Music".

Other sources



*

* Motown/Universal DVD: 'Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances (1963-1987)'

References




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