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Cruisin' (Smokey Robinson song)

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"Cruisin'"
side-A label by Tamla Records
One of side-A labels of the US single
Single by Smokey Robinson
from the album Where There's Smoke...
B-side"Ever Had a Dream"
ReleasedAugust 20, 1979 (1979-08-20)
Genre
Length
  • 5:53
  • 4:11 (7-inch edit)
LabelTamla (Motown)
Songwriter(s)
Smokey Robinson singles chronology
"Get Ready"
(1979) 		"Cruisin'"
(1979) 		"Let Me Be the Clock"
(1980)

"Cruisin'" is a 1979 single written, produced, and performed by the American singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson for Motown Records' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with the Miracles, "Cruisin'" hit number one on the U.S. Cash Box Top 100 and was also a Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at number four the week of February 2, 1980.[3] It was a top-five hit on the Soul chart as well.[4]

Background

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The song was co-written by fellow Miracle Marv Tarplin. "Cruisin'" was an even bigger hit in New Zealand, hitting number one on that country's chart. It is included on Robinson's ninth studio album, Where There's Smoke.... Reportedly, Robinson had a cold when he recorded the song. It was originally intended as a B-side for a remake of "Get Ready".

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[10] Gold 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

D'Angelo version

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"Cruisin'"
Single by D'Angelo
from the album Brown Sugar
ReleasedDecember 5, 1995
Genre
Length
  • 6:24 (album version)
  • 3:58 (radio edit)
LabelCooltempo
Songwriter(s)Smokey Robinson, Marv Tarplin
Producer(s)Bob Power
D'Angelo singles chronology
"Brown Sugar"
(1995) 		"Cruisin'"
(1995) 		"Lady"
(1996)
Music video
"Cruisin'" on YouTube

Neo soul musician D'Angelo recorded a cover of the song for his 1995 album Brown Sugar. The cover was released as the album's second single on October 12, 1995, and was commercially successful charting within the top ten of the US R&B charts.[11][12] the album reached sales of 500,000 copies in the United States by October 1995.[13][14] This version appeared in the third episode of the UPN sitcom, Moesha in 1996.

Composition and arrangement

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"Cruisin", a cover of Smokey Robinson's 1979 hit of the same name, here features a predominant string section.[15] The longest track on the album, it employs violin, viola and cello, as well as shakers and light percussion, while sleigh bells are featured in the chorus.[16] Flautist Lauryn Vivino contributes with piccolo. The track also features steady piano-playing by D'Angelo,[17] with Brooklyn Funk Essentials-member Bob "Bassy" Brockmann playing the trumpet.[18]

Track listing

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  1. "Cruisin'"
  2. "Brown Sugar"

Weekly charts

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Chart (1995) Peak
position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 27
Scotland (OCC)[20] 76
UK Singles (OCC)[21] 31
UK Dance (OCC)[22] 15
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[23] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[24] 53
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[25] 25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[26] 10
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[27] 20

Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis version

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"Cruisin'"
Single by Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis
from the album Duets: Original Soundtrack
B-side
  • "Feeling Alright"
  • "Beginnings / Endings"
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2000 (2000-09-11)
Length4:52
LabelHollywood
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Larry Klein
Huey Lewis singles chronology
"Cruisin'"
(2000) 		"Workin' for a Livin'"
(2008)
Gwyneth Paltrow singles chronology
"Cruisin'"
(2000) 		"Bette Davis Eyes"
(2001)

Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis performed a cover of the song in the 2000 film Duets. The song is included on the soundtrack of the film and released as a single on September 11, 2000. The duet spent one week at number one on the US Adult Contemporary chart. It was an even bigger hit in Australia and New Zealand, reaching number one on both country's singles charts, and in Iceland, where it climbed to number four in November 2000.

Track listing

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Australian and German CD single[28][29]

  1. "Cruisin'" (by Paltrow and Lewis) – 4:51
  2. "Feeling Alright" (by Lewis) – 4:02
  3. "Beginnings / Endings" (by David Newman) – 1:59

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2000–2001) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 1
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[31] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 1
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[33] 9
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[34] 1

Year-end charts

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Chart (2000) Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[35] 35
Chart (2001) Position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 27
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] 12
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[38] 10

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[39] 2× Platinum 140,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[40] Platinum 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 11, 2000 Adult contemporary radio Hollywood [41]
New Zealand November 27, 2000 CD [42]

Other covers

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  • In 1988, crossover thrash band Beowülf covered the song on their album Lost My Head... But I'm Back on the Right Track.
  • Holly Cole, a Canadian jazz singer, covered "Cruisin'" on her 1990 album Girl Talk.
  • In 2001, saxophonist Jaared covered this song on his album Foreword.[43] Three years later, the late bassist Wayman Tisdale included a cover of the song on his album Hangtime.[44][45]
  • Filipino acoustic band MYMP released their version on the album The Unreleased Acoustic Collection and again on Back to Acoustic in 2013.
  • Japanese singer Maki Ohguro (大黒 摩季 Ōguro Maki) released her version on the 2007 compilation album Best of Best 1000.[46]
  • Coolio has also sampled this song. Although the verse lyrics are changed in his song, the chorus is the same.
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (July 17, 2000). "The Wonder Years: Soul". Night Moves - Pop Music in the Late 70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-312-19821-3.
  2. ^ Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "Smokey Robinson". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 497.
  5. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 202.
  7. ^ a b "Top 100 1980-02-16". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  8. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1980 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. December 31, 1980. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  9. ^ "1980 Talent in Action – Year End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 92, no. 51. December 20, 1980. p. TIA-10. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  10. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Cruisin – Smokey Robinson". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  11. ^ Billboard Singles: Brown Sugar. AllMusic. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  12. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - September 24, 2015". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - October 18, 2015". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  14. ^ Ayers, Anne. "D'Angelo Cruisin' Through His First Tour. USA Today: 14.D. November 1, 1995.
  15. ^ Shapiro (2006), p. 104.
  16. ^ Metal Lungies: Remix Tuesdays - D’Angelo Part 4. Metal Lungies. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
  17. ^ W & A's Record Reviews: D'Angelo. Warr.org. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
  18. ^ Discogs: Bob "Bassy" Brockmann Discography. Discogs. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
  19. ^ "D'Angelo – Cruisin'". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  22. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  25. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  28. ^ Cruisin' (Australian CD single liner notes). Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis. Hollywood Records, Festival Mushroom Records. 2000. 019892.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ^ Cruisin' (German CD single liner notes). Gwyneth Paltrow, Huey Lewis. Hollywood Records. 2000. 0122175HWR.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ^ "Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis – Cruisin'". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  31. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (24.11–1.12 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 24, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  32. ^ "Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis – Cruisin'". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  33. ^ "Gwyneth Paltrow Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  34. ^ "Gwyneth Paltrow Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  35. ^ "The Best of 2000: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 50.
  36. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  37. ^ "End of Year Charts 2001". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  38. ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-81. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  39. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  40. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Huey Lewis & Gwyneth Paltrow – Cruisin'". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 7, 2019.[dead link‍]
  41. ^ "Huey Lewis Gwyneth Paltrow: Cruisin'" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1367. September 8, 2000. p. 39. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  42. ^ "New Releases". netcd.co.nz. November 27, 2000. Archived from the original on December 1, 2000. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  43. ^ "Foreward: Album". Answers.com.
  44. ^ "An Interview with Wayman Tisdale". SmoothViews.com.
  45. ^ "Jazz Albums: Hang Time Wayman Tisdale". JazzTimes.com.
  46. ^ "Amazon.com". Amazon.
  47. ^ "25 Best Slow Jams of All Time". Essence.com. October 29, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  48. ^ "iSpot.tv | TV Ad Measurement and Attribution Platform". Ispot.tv. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
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