The Miracles discography

The Miracles were the Motown Record Corporation's first group and its first million-selling recording artists. During their nineteen-year run on the American music charts, the Miracles charted over fifty hits and recorded in the genres of doo-wop, soul, disco, and R&B. Twenty-six Miracles songs reached the top 10 of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including four R&B number ones. Sixteen charted within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, with seven reaching the top ten and two – 1970's "The Tears of a Clown" and 1975's "Love Machine" (Part 1) – reaching No. 1. A third song, the million-selling "Shop Around", reached No. 1 on the Cash Box magazine pop chart. The Miracles also scored 11 U.S. R&B top 10 albums, including two number ones.

According to several websites, the Miracles are one of the most covered groups in recorded history and the most covered Motown group ever. Their music and songs have influenced artists all over the world – in every major musical genre – over the last 50 years.^[1] At #32, the Miracles are the highest-ranking Motown group on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time".^[2] They also have the distinction of having more songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame than any other Motown group.^[3] All releases were on Motown Records' Tamla subsidiary label unless otherwise indicated.

In the 1960s, Motown Record Corporation, like many independent labels, did not register sales figures through the RIAA, the organization that certifies and awards gold records; it is therefore difficult to determine the full number of Miracles songs and recordings that sold a million or more records. Also, with the passing of decades of time, some songs that did not sell a million records initially may have indeed done so over the years. However, several reference works, such as the books Hits of the '60s: The Million Sellers by Demitri Coryton and Joseph Murrells,^[4] as well as The Book of Golden Discs by Joseph Murrells,^[5] point out that the Miracles had several million-selling records during their career, including "Shop Around" (1961), "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), "Mickey's Monkey" (1963), "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965), "Going to a Go-Go", (single and album) (1965), "I Second That Emotion" (1967), "Baby Baby Don't Cry" (1969), "The Tears of a Clown" (1970), "Do It Baby" (1974), "Love Machine" (1975), and the platinum album City of Angels (1975). This is quite probably an incomplete list, since Miracle Pete Moore stated on his corporate website, that the Miracles actually had 12 million-selling records to their credit by 1967, including 1965's "Ooo Baby Baby".^[6]

Albums

The Miracles

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

The Miracles (with Billy Griffin)

Compilations

Singles

The Miracles

First (pre-Motown) releases

Tamla (Motown) releases

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

(Same members, name changed to spotlight lead singer)

The Miracles (with Billy Griffin)

Videography

DVD release

• Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances (1963–1987) (2006)

Notes

1. ^ Peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
2. ^ Peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
3. ^ Released only as a promo single.
4. ^ Chart position is from 1969.^[11]
5. ^ Peaked at number 37 in the UK on original issue in 1966. 1971 reissue peaked at number 13.^[11]
6. ^ Re-released in the UK in 1976.^[11]
7. ^ Peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
8. ^ Peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
9. ^ Peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100.

References

1. ^ "MOTOWN LEGENDS TODAY: TAMLA MOTOWN NEWS". Funandmusic.biz. Archived June 23, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
2. ^ Reed, Coley. "Rolling Stone: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Ranker.com. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
3. ^ List of Miracles awards and achievements – Grammy Hall of Fame.
4. ^ Murrells, Joseph & Coryton, Demitri (1990). Hits of the '60s: The Million Sellers. illustrated ed. Batsford. ISBN 9780713458510.
5. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. 2nd ed. London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
6. ^ "WBMM the Miracles Facts". Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
7. ^ "The Miracles – Awards". AllMusic. Archived February 24, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
8. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated ed. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 202. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
9. ^ "Amazon.com: The 35th Anniversary Collection: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles: Music". Amazon. 1994. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
10. ^ "iTunes – Music – Smokey Robinson and The Miracles: The 35th Anniversary Collection (Box Set) by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles". iTunes. February 22, 1994. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
11. ^ "MIRACLES – full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
12. ^ Retrieved September 28, 2022.

External links

• Miracles member Pete Moore's corporate website – WBMM Enterprises (Miracles Facts)
• Asanovic, Bosko; Rimmer, Dave & Goldberg, Marv. Miracles discography. Soulful Kinda Music.
• The Miracles songs and albums- from the "Soully Oldies" website
• The Miracles: Bio and Discography
• The Miracles' Albums