B-side "Ever Had a Dream" Recorded 1979 | Format 45 RPM Length 5:53
4:11 (7" edit) | |
Released August, 1979 (August, 1979) (Debuted on Billboard's Soul chart on September 1, 1979) Genre Soul, R&B, Adult contemporary | ||
"Cruisin'" is a 1979 single written, produced, and recorded by Smokey Robinson for Motown Records' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with The Miracles, "Cruisin'" hit #1 on the U.S. Cash Box Top 100 and was also a major Billboard Pop hit, peaking at #4. It was a Top Five hit on the Soul chart as well.
Contents
- DAngelo version
- Composition and arrangement
- Track listing
- Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis version
- Other covers
- References
The song was co-written by fellow Miracle Marv Tarplin . "Cruisin'" was an even bigger hit in New Zealand, hitting #1 on that country's chart. It is included on Robinson's ninth studio album, Where There's Smoke....
D'Angelo version
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. the album reached sales of 500,000 copies in the United States by October 1995. This version appeared in the third episode of the UPN sitcom, Moesha in 1996.
Composition and arrangement
"Cruisin", a cover of Smokey Robinson's 1979 hit of the same name, here features a predominant string section. 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. Flutist Lauryn Vivino contributes with piccolo. The track also features steady piano-playing by D'Angelo, with Brooklyn Funk Essentials-member Bob "Bassy" Brockmann playing the trumpet.
Track listing
- "Cruisin'"
- "Brown Sugar"
Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis version
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. The duet spent one week at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
The song was an even bigger hit in both Australia and New Zealand, reaching number one on each country's singles charts.
Track listing
- "Cruisin'"
- "Feeling Alright"
- "Beginnings/Endings"
Other covers
In 1988, crossover thrash band Beowülf covered the song on their album Lost My Head... But I'm Back on the Right Track. Canadian jazz singer Holly Cole included a cover of Cruisin' on her 1990 album Girl Talk. In 2001, saxophonist Jaared covered this song on his album Foreword. Three years later, the late bassist Wayman Tisdale included a cover of the song on his album Hangtime. In 2011, former Jackson 5 member Tito Jackson recorded a cover of the song, and 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 album Best of the Best.
Coolio has also sampled this song. Although the verse lyrics are changed in his song, the chorus is the same.