Smokey Robinson: Tiny Desk Concert

[@nprmusic]

Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.

[@baassbababjdjhdhx5841]

You might as well throw E W F and Chicago to, and don’t forget Gladys !!

[@RyneMurray23]

I would LOVE a Billy Strings tiny desk🔥👍🏼

[@tracybell5854]

Yup😎✊🏾💯

[@Slademoses]

sooner rather than later

[@rhythmfield]

What will be the entry dates for 2025 please? Doing this again? Unsigned musician here with a great band!

[@NURREDIN]

This man has been doing this for 63 YEARS! Longer than most of us have been alive! He's still doing it without missing a step.

[@marywatkins9438]

That’s what legends do. I still play Smokey’s best of. Such a treat waking up to this on YT.

[@parabellum5503]

I'm 59....Smokey > Marvin in my book.

[@kathleenm.carter6155]

""SMOKEY ROBINSON "" HE GOT IT GOING ON. HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE!!!

[@anitakos1375]

Love me some Smokey! He’s amazing!! ❤️

[@SmokeyRobinson-uu1fc]

@@marywatkins9438 I so much appreciate your support towards my career

[@parabellum5503]

Whoever books these needs a raise.

[@guiltyuntilproveninnocent.]

Smokey Robinson is 83 years old. Looks great and still has a beautiful voice. Still performing. Living his best life. Gotta love it.

[@SK-nh9gh]

He very obviously has had plastic surgery. Anyone can look "young" that way.

[@jlv3x]

​@@SK-nh9gh everyone definitely can not look good with it. All you have to do is look around and see more bad plastic surgery jobs than good. However to have a voice that still sounds that good live at 83, he's obviously taking great care of himself.

[@geoffcaptaincpaige1167]

Got a good dentist too obviously

[@hyudoin5597]

@@geoffcaptaincpaige1167money!!

[@junipersnow1]

💥What a beautiful man and voice... all the classics. One of my missions and Im speaking up... You bible thumpers, if you follow your religion according to the book.... "Black and white can live together, but must not mix" (this man is an example why they are VERY wrong) one of the reasons I question the three war religions, you should too. 💥

[@TheCwillis2]

How on earth has this not hit a million views yet??? 😩

[@monicaquimpergomez7319]

Estan sumergidos en el reaggeton 😢😢😢

[@rhythmfield]

@@monicaquimpergomez7319LOL … not sure if that’s the reason …

[@whatwhat1111]

Thank you, Tiny Desk, for featuring the legendary Smokey Robinson!!!

[@alvarocarrillo7885]

Man! You ain’t lying! Smokey is a LIVING LEGEND!

[@jennerial]

I loved this, but Mr Robinson has always been secretive about his age, one thing I do know is that he's as old as my grandmother (she loved him) and she was born in 1932 that would make him 91 not 83.

[@formerlymattgainey4648]

You said it

[@toddgoza3522]

Bob Dylan considers him to be one of the great poets

[@willrobinsonjr9170]

Spectacular William Smokey Robinson 83 and still performing, whatta Legend hat's Off to the one and Only 🎉❤

[@ili626]

I would say a “national” treasure, but I believe that limits what he really is: A treasure to the whole world.

[@TheWMLive]

When’s Stevie’s Tiny Desk coming?? It has to happen now!

[@blind_t2]

yes yes yes and yes. I’m ready for my boy!

[@q.7628]

Been asking! Surely it's coming up next

[@airsign81]

It's overdue!💯

[@Nik-Pete]

I would need at least 3 hours of Stevie!

[@zoewilson8425]

❤

[@themixmusicandmore6280]

I had bad anxiety. I could barely drive alone. I'd need to go to guitar center about 40 min from where I live. I asked my mom to ride with me, which she obliged because she's a Saint, and I'd blast oldies. She turned me onto them of course. She passed 6 months ago and I'm so lost. This man means more to me than anything I could ever imagine. As soon as i saw npr did a tiny desk concert of smokey i wouldve showed her and she wouldve loved it. i guess what i wanna say is i loved it when we were cruisin together. I love you, mom.

[@dattamusic3498]

I feel you, 100 percent

[@cricrijobim]

Your mom seemed like a super special lady! It is tough but at least we get to keep the memories

[@lawrencemoore3863]

Sorry for your loss and hopefully i can go cruising for you and your mom at the Ontario,ca car show. Went last year for the first time,just popped in my feed from nowhere. I wasn't going to go but glad i did,saw Thelma Houston she killed it at her age and she had more energy than anybody there. Hopefully im going to go for you and your mom

[@Bururaian]

🫂 ❤️

[@InspectahReese]

Working at NPR Music has to be the absolute best job in the entire world

[@creativequeen8371]

Agreed 👍🏾

[@ReginiaHarris-Coleman]

When Smokey sings, you can't help but smile because it makes you feel so good!

[@michellewinston1363]

Period🙅🏽‍♀️💪🏾🥰🙏🏾🫶🏽🤞🏾🩷

[@2021kyoto]

Smokey Robinson is the greatest Rythem and Blues songwriter of all time.There would be no MOTOWN without the musical contributions of Smokey Robinson!!!

[@Unbelievable-no7vm]

And Nick and Val did nothing! And Marvin Gaye was just a sanitation worker at Motown? Lamont and Dozier anyone! Help me Lord! Smh

[@kristierussell1546]

@@Unbelievable-no7vm 🤣🤣

[@sherryengle-xe6fv]

ABSOLUTELY

[@andresalejandrogarciahurta5856]

Imagine being 83 years old! 83 YO!!! and not only looking this good but singing this good?! What a legend! 👏👏👏

[@MagicDragon]

83 years old!!! Still controlling the breathing well !! , singing the right notes, sounding still smokey & clear and got the power too !!! Wow wow wow!!!!

[@prof3ssor178]

It's very rare!

[@Romalvx]

Unbelievable. What a gig!

[@mellotainment]

This brother looks great and sounds great I’m glad we had chance to hang out mr legend!

[@laurence8209]

Npr is not far from my house. Wish I had known about it! Smoke still got it!

[@laurence8209]

Props to the band and string section! Love it.

[@shawnmcvey7789]

Smokey must've taken amazing care of his voice to still have such great pitch and control after over half a century of singing. His voice was obviously stronger as a young man, but his mastery of the art clearly allowed him to hold on to so much. Oh, and he's one of America's greatest songwriters. Has to be said, Smokey is a legend.

[@Kokyiintx]

He's on the Mount Rushmore of American music.

[@arisumego]

all you have to do is stay away from drugs (including alcohol) and your voice doesn't really change honestly unless you're singing extremely poorly very often

[@Holygiant]

@@arisumegowhy is he singing most of these songs at least a full step down from the original then?

[@eighmanauraview]

​@@Holygiantmust of the tiny desk performances are dialed down

[@Holygiant]

@@eighmanauraviewthat has nothing to do with pitch

[@janices6140]

Smokey Robinson wrote songs for The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Mary Wells, The Jackson Five, and so many other Motown artists, that you could say, along with Berry Gordy he created the Motown sound. And, he's still got it! What an eclectic, talented group of musicians he brought with him, too. Thanks, Tiny Desk!

[@rjk8008]

Motown Forever. So many classics.

[@jomartins7814]

poucas pessoas a qui no Brasil o conhece como o S.R MOTOWN mas estas pessoas o admiram porque ele se emprenhou muito em ajudar as pessoas.ele foi o homem que fez o bem sem se importar a quem. ele é um ser em quê todos os artistas negros tanto do passado como os de hoje o admiram e o reverenciam . realmente este é o artista ou o maior mentor da música Norte Americana

[@CC-nl1bo]

He aged like fine wine. Go head Smokey,you are a Motown Legend.💜

[@OrganicAlumination]

Yeah I was just thinking he still as beautiful as ever

[@RachelMishael]

The Blue-Eyed (Correction: GREEN EYED💚) Motown LEGEND! 🤩😎 0:03 "Being With You" 3:58 "The Tears Of A Clown" 6:49 "If We Don't Have Each Other" (New Album “Gasms”) 11:40 "Beside You" (New Album “Gasms”) 16:26 "Quiet Storm" 23:03 "Cruisin!” Thanks, Tiny Desk 🔥👌🏾

[@ThePookie25]

Thank u so much.

[@russellriley2417]

Sound good Smokey

[@Frank-ii2ug]

Thank YOU!

[@ayeare415]

I’m so sad he didn’t do Agony and Ecstasy 😢

[@kelvinmeekins7421]

Green eyes

[@alicehudgins7609]

Blue eyed soul. Can’t help but smile when I see him and hear music I grew up with. What a blessing to many he has been. Thank you Smokey.

[@TheeStrawberryLee]

💐💐💐💐💐💐GIVING SMOKEY HIS FLOWERS ✨💚✨💚✨💚 NPR really knows how to start a week!!!

[@amandalajoie1791]

It's insane how well his voice has been preserved after all these years! Incredible talent!

[@curiouslymavismade]

This is so unreal, to see the legend in the flesh, people truly don't realize how many hits this man has done. Much love for the iconic Smokey Robinson, a man who has inspired me to this very day.

[@3TQHAJSHNQ]

Well...plastic...and a bit of flesh

[@curiouslymavismade]

@@3TQHAJSHNQ He is still alive, that's all that matters.

[@laurence8209]

Hopefully some group besides the Library of Congress will acknowledge his songs as they did Bob Dylan recently!

[@jenniferboykin8695]

Smoky still got it. God bless him.

[@jlv3x]

Smokey's "Quiet Storm" created an entire genre of late night radio. The long version is a complete vibe!!!

[@Keezie27]

Absolutely

[@beatsgordy]

My favorite Smokey Album too

[@teestan5317]

Yes indeed! That is one of my favorites.

[@oholm09]

Back in 1975 I wasn't born but I introduced that classic song

[@viv6511]

I totally agree ❤

[@ricardogonzalezgomez7433]

Smokey! Been in the game for decades and still killing it! Amazing! One of my all time favorite And still doing music! Love you brother

[@VeeMarieS]

I’ve never clicked on a Tiny Desk Concert so fast 🥰🥰🥰

[@fn4086]

Why am I just seeing this? Smokey is the last of a dying breed. What a class act!!

[@mrsbobbicisse]

He sounded marvelous.. didn't quite need the background singers although I'm sure they're nice ladies but not everyone can harmonize or sing melody Live.. he was superb and the band was great. I didn't want it to end.. I sent this video to my Mom and shared it on my socials..

[@jimihendrixx11]

Sounded great even the the volume might be a bit low but could be on purpose

[@PhillySoulable]

They’re meant to mimic the sound of his ex wife and miracle Claudette. Her voice used to always nicely counter Smoke

[@natepolitics1490]

Exactly and going to be frank the background singer on the left sounds horrible and have an annoying high pitch voice. I mean she was so bad you would think she was doing it on purpose.

[@mrsbobbicisse]

HE sounded marvelous@@jimihendrixx11

[@altheadawn2531]

​@@natepolitics1490lmao 😂😂😂😂

[@expecttowintv1858]

That has to be an incredible feeling when people of different ethnicities know the lyrics to your song and smiling while singing. I had the privilege of meeting Smokey and taking a picture with him. God blessed this man with so much “Cool” it’s really not fair lol.

[@lisahollingsworth3621]

Just imagine knowing you helped make a lot of babies with your music 🎶 🎵 Absolutely amazing 👏

[@brandoningersoll5034]

83? I’ll have whatever Smokey’s having…please..

[@1stlady575]

😂🎉😂🎉 I second that!!!!

[@steelcurtainsteeler2249]

The Poet... best composer of lyrics ever... and the ladies on the strings are killing it.

[@davidberry8312]

Still amazing after all these years!

[@allfunkedupexperience]

A timeless icon. The mainstay of American R&B.

[@julianavanhorn]

Thank you, Smokey Robinson. Thank you, band. Thank you, NPR. We so needed this.

[@cgold4130]

Born 73' and he sure made impact on opening my mind on Sesame Street to soul / spirit behind one's eyes.Nice when gems shine on and through your life.

[@LadyMul]

Uncle Smokey turned Tiny into Huge Desk bringing along orchestra but well earned, what a legend! Blooming marvellous ❤️❤️🙏🏾

[@nguzoloveinlofi3832]

Papa Smoke at this point, but I still wouldn't bring my girl around him...

[@YUSSEB8E]

Just the songs he wrote for others is incredible alone.. What a legend. Oooh Baby Baby & Cruisin are all time favs of mine. D’angelo probably the only person that could do Cruisin justice and he did

[@amiribrahimbai]

Baby Baby is my joint and Ebony Eyes with Rick James

[@ceceecarter9611]

‘ What love has joined together’. Just makes me cry 😢love it

[@aglamourmama]

A classic man and sound ❤

[@sweetmelao]

We Love you Smokey!! Your Music is Timeless just like your Voice. Thank you for making us all smile and feel Great.

[@hvyhttrs]

This has to be one of the best Tiny Desk ever. AMAZING!

[@TheTataNini]

I thought Dua Lipa was til Cold Play. Then I thought Ed Sheeran until Sam Smith. Now Smokey Robinson??! This truly was ICONIC! Thank you NPR. We appreciate you.

[@maryfedor7981]

Who doesn't love this man singer legend ❤️ 💙

[@ADAJ3KINGANGEL]

What a legend, he looks incredible for his age too.

[@Chai_K]

Wow, the legendary Smokey R.!!! Watching you from Bangkok and what a treat this is, thank you Smokey and NPR

[@wordsofwisdomtvnetwork7488]

It’s 3am and I’m watching Smokey Robinson on Tiny Desk and loving it!! Alicia Keys Tiny Desk “was” my favorite until 3am this morning. Smokey is the man

[@ulisesmondragon6332]

Sam smith, Masego ,check those out

[@lukevans1501]

SAME

[@onetahua]

Cyprus Hill was one of my favourites. Smokey and band are up there too. What a great sound

[@MediCali951]

@@ulisesmondragon6332the action Bronson, wu tang, Yaritza, and Post Malone are my favorite

[@joyceefemuai4055]

Respect 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@djkeithd8719]

Pure natural voice. He still got it. Smooth. Nice one. Yes Stevie Wonder!. Tracy Chapman! ..,.......

[@adriennewalls601]

Smokey....STILL!!! Legend!!!! Anyone who can create lyrics that include Pagliacci is a genius!!!🤎🤎🤎

[@nicwalker2175]

Please keep up this momentum of showcasing the R&B music era musicians while we still have them with us. Enjoyed Smokey, Baby Face, CHIC...this is awesome. Thank you NPR Tiny Desk.💜 Suggestions: Stephanie Mills, Chaka, Stanley Clark, Najee, Jeffrey Osborn, Cameo, Lionel Richey, Stevie, Patrice Rushen.

[@niahubbard5915]

Especially Jeffrey Osborn❤❤❤

[@glennhfriedman4571]

Atlantic Starr, and the 5th Dimension

[@healthyholemealbread]

Stephanie Mills ❤

[@howardrolle4974]

Stevie ❤

[@jeffreycallaway4614]

Glad to hear the master singer and songwriter is still sounding great. One of my all-time favorite. Smokey Robinson is a True Legend! Thank you 🙏🏾 Tiny Desk for presenting him. 🎤))))))🎶🎵🎵))))

[@amiribrahimbai]

Man.... this was on point. Smokey and his crew jammed jammed. The band was tight. The engineer got the levels just right.

[@Baribrotzer]

Smokey's music was a part of my childhood. I'm close to 70, and used to hear him, along with The Beatles, The Supremes, and other early Sixties hits while being driven to grade school. And it astonishes me that not only is he still around, but he's still sounding good, and he barely looks a day over 50! At his age, most singing stars are working on their golf game, wheezing in the hospital, or gone.

[@jazzpsychic]

You know, Smokey was a huge influence on the Beatles.

[@r.a.krispell4254]

Best tiny desk so far, can’t believe his voice is still so smooth, so blessed.

[@marvavandyke1559]

Beautiful…thank you tiny desk👏🏾❤️ He still got it going on at 83. What a legend 🫶🏾🤩

[@fikile529]

His voice still sounds great ❤

[@munyamubaiwa4313]

Uncle Smokey!!!

[@swtayh]

I listened to the Original Quiet Storm with Melvin Lindsey on WHUR 96.3 FM as a kid growing up in SE DC. So, listening to Mr. Robinson sing his classic song warmed my heart. ♥

[@Ko-xs6dr]

Why did this make me emotional? Absolutely love smokey, thank you for blessing us for decades and eternity to come 🙏🏼

[@dionedavi]

I love this man! He's still fabulous at 83!

[@SmokeyRobinson-uu1fc]

Hello..? thanks for your lovely like and comments on my official page,it's great to know I have such a fan. Much love.♥️

[@itsbrandonboyd]

A Motown legend doing Tiny Desk! This is awesome! My mom and I are both jammin'!

[@josevasquez4080]

He still sounds good.

[@georgemendezjr.2353]

There is on,y One, distinctive Smokey…….this is as dreamy and jazzy as it gets🙏❤️💜💚💙🩵🧡🙏

[@tessmith7340]

Smokey still has it, his music is always so smooth and romantic 🥰Glad he is still producing new music!

[@SupaBlessedAries]

Smokey is a Legend beyond Legendary my favorite Smokey song is Cruisin what a beautiful man with a beautiful voice and way to express himself musically for 63 yrs in the industry ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@SmokeyRobinson-uu1fc]

Hello..? thanks for your lovely like and comments on my official page,it's great to know I have such a fan. Much love.♥️

[@karenflam]

83 years young. Love, love, love this man's music. With the Miracles, on his own, all of it.

[@JJ-lj7lr]

This is the best TDC I've seen yet. And give me whatever Smokey has been having! He doesn't age.

[@keradel]

Legendary! 🔥🔥🔥

[@dalailalai6335]

Smokey sounds great and his band is amazing. I enjoy watching great players feel the music.

[@crystalperry2163]

This is legendary! My parents raised me up on this music and most of the Motown family. What a pleasure to see him still making the rounds. Go Smokey! ❤

[@maryfedor7981]

Truth!!!

[@kjam4236]

"But Dad it's Smokey" some of you may remember that line from a compilation album I wanna say it was back in the eighties but anyways give that Man his Flowers I was through roof when I heard my two all time favorites "Tears of a Clown and Quiet Storm.... Smokey Robinson an True American Musical Treasure!

[@radmod1]

OMG! 83 years young and hasn't changed a bit! I've watched this 3x today. Thank you NPR for another amazing concert👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@TalkingBook72]

I've had the honor of seeing Smokey live in concert twice, and even in his older age, his voice is one that must be heard in person. Long live The King of Motown!

[@no1nestandsalone387]

I saw him with my mom on v day 2019! He sounded amazing and danced with a lady from the audience! ❤😂

[@TalkingBook72]

@@divinetiming1005 That's a great one. My favorite of his with The Miracles is "Satisfaction"

[@reneejones2183]

Thank you. Give Smokey his flowers now!!!!

[@andreajordan2558]

The concert I didn’t know I needed! Thank you NPR and the amazing legendary Smokey Robinson. Quiet Storm took me to another planet.

[@CynthettaPatton]

Smokey was my first live concert at the Regal Theater

[@Huaxiflowerstream]

Wew what a packed performance!

[@LibraGoals]

Smokey's performance was amazing! Thank you Tiny Desk!

[@eldezethaperformer1985]

Smokey Robinson 😊🙏🏿💙🔥.

[@sangriawalker4902]

Tiny Desk is the epitome of *move in silence*. Less is more. Let the artist ART. Let the feelings flow and get back to the simplicity yet authenticity of the melodies created by thee creator(s). All is super duper appreciated, and none taken for granted. Tiny Desk is what we KNEW we needed, and just sat back, ever so patiently. I'm glad we did. I look forward to the Toni Braxton*Tamia*Aaradhna*Alice Smith* ijs lol. No pressure haha! Peace yall!

[@dannyvigil6514]

My my favorite of all time hands down classic soul music live forever through your songs smokey

[@AlisVolatPropiis]

OMG! The chills and goosebumps when I heard the the first few minutes of ‘Being with you”. Smokey sounds exactly the same as he did 42 years ago when that song played on the radio! Even looks the same! How amazing to hear and see him now! Thank you Smokey, thank you Tiny Desk! You made my day!!! ❤😊

[@SuperClare]

Smokey!! 🏆🏆🏆

[@chanceystandlee9861]

🙏🧡🌈🧡🙏 Thank you Smokey for being you, and spreading your love and light!!! 🙏🧡🌈🧡🙏

[@lilrangerz23]

What a gift!! Smokey Robinson & the band are simply amazing!!🙏🏻

[@lorettacarter1378]

A true poet and consummate performer, what a blessing to still be able to see he enjoys performing and we get to share in the joy!

[@CurlyKei]

Absolute legend and he still sounds amazing vocals are there!

[@robertpembroke8902]

Wow! Smokey Robinson. Great sound! You still got it:)

[@Smitty1988]

How can Smokey still do it at such a high level? My favorite song of his is "More Love". Kim Carnes sang a really nice cover of it in 1980. Thank you Mr William Robinson Jr.

[@waynefoote3781]

The KING of songwriting and longevity...Excellent work Mr Robinson and everyone else as well.

[@dorothytaylor7369]

A living legend, yes! yes! yes, well done

[@enojay2528]

We use the word “Legend” loosely these days but here’s one of the true Legends in Music❤❤ and still kicking it as an octogenarian,respect!💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@rjk8008]

Love all the Motown greats! Timeless music that I still listen to today.

[@M360-w6o]

nah he's an icon

[@kiletansy7386]

Smokey is right nickname as his voice and vibe floats today as much as in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, 10's, 20's - ethereal; On and On. Not to mention his writing, producing legacy....wow

[@The-Dog-Vlog]

I may start all my Mondays by listening to Smokey's Tiny Desk. Cruisin! is one of my all-time favorites.

[@ZoggoLive]

What a legend. Thank you Smokey!❤

[@01FozzyS]

Amazing how this legend hasn't lost his touch! Sing it,Smokey!!!

[@angelalee4082]

Awesome show luvd it Smokey 👍💖💖💖💖👏👏👏👏

[@HunterGibson6969]

If only jamerson and marv could have been here with him

[@Hammerman48]

Absolute legend!

[@Sheiswhatshesays]

I’ve been listening to these songs since I was a little girl. Smokey Robinson’s beautiful voice is forever engrained in my brain. Thank you legend ❤❤

[@allermenchenaufder]

Incredible legendary Smokey sharing his magic.

[@LupaRosina13]

Wonderful way to start the morning. What a legend! 🖤

[@marydaley4144]

Voice is still perfection. Thanks to Smokey, his band, and NPR Tiny Desk!