Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedShop Around
Soul1960s132BPM
G majKey
More around 130 BPM → · More in G major →
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The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Smokey Robinson & Berry Gordy), no dispute found — Motown’s first million-seller; connects to Barrett Strong (via “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”) in this catalogue.
Quick Facts
Released1960
GenreSoul, R&B, Motown
LabelTamla / Motown Records
ProducerBerry Gordy
Recorded atHitsville U.S.A., Detroit
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Smokey Robinson & Berry Gordy
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Motown/Tamla; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Motown’s first million-seller; a much-covered standard. Connects to Barrett Strong (via “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”) in this catalogue.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same group and Smokey Robinson (this batch)
Originally intended for Barrett Strong, later a Whitfield/Strong co-writer (already in this catalogue)
A thematic “motherly advice” echo (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Smokey Robinson & Berry Gordy
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A 30-minute write and a 3 a.m. re-record
Robinson wrote it in about 30 minutes, calling it “another mama-done-tole-me ditty,” inspired by his mother’s advice. He originally intended it for Barrett Strong (fresh off “Money”), but Gordy kept it for the Miracles. Unhappy with the first, slower Detroit release (“too slow, not enough life”), Gordy summoned the group to re-record at 3 a.m. — the uptempo version that became the hit. No lyrics reproduced.
uDiscover Music / BBC · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Motown’s first million-seller
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
SA
Smokey Robinson & Berry Gordy (Motown)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
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References
Every source cited on this page — 4 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 17/18)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass