The Tracks of My Tears

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Written by: Pete Moore, Robinson, Marv Tamplin
Produced by: Robinson
Released: June '65 on Tamla
Charts: 12 weeks
Top spot: No. 16

Legend had it that audience members would actually break into tears when Robinson and the Miracles sang "The Tracks of My Tears." "There was just something about it people loved," Moore of the Miracles told ROLLING STONE. "It really tapped into the depth of their emotions." Among those whose emotions it stirred was Pete Townshend, who became obsessed with the way Robinson put across the word substitute in the song ("Although she may be cute/She's just a substitute"). So obsessed, he explained, "that I decided to celebrate the word itself with a song all its own" -- which is how he came to write the Who's 1966 hit "Substitute." Robinson worked on the "The Tracks of My Tears" with Moore and Miracles guitarist Tamplin, and it was such a clear winner, even hard-to-please Motown founder Berry Gordy proclaimed it a masterpiece.

Appears on: Going to a Go-Go (Motown)

Next: The Message

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