I've often wondered about this but never read or seen it discussed anywhere. To me, Smokey's genius at writing great songs was much more evident when he was a member of the Miracles than when he was a solo performer. Does anyone else feel this way? To me it seems like as a member of the Miracles there were endless great songs [[my all time favorite being "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage") with beautiful poetic imagery and ironic lyrics.
Although he wrote some good songs as a solo artist, to me they pale in comparison. A few notable exceptions to me are "I've Made Love to You 1,000 Times" as well as "Being With You." But most of the solo material seems a bit forced or pedestrian compared to the work he produced while a Miracle.
I wonder if it had to do with his losing his song writing partners, if most of his solo material was actually written solo. I'm not sure, but maybe that explains some of it.
Or maybe you disagree. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
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