Choosey Beggar
"Choosey Beggar" was a 1965 song recorded by Motown R&B group The Miracles on its Tamla label subsidiary. It was issued as the B-side of the group's top-20 million-selling single,[1] "Going to a Go-Go", and was taken from the group's Billboard Top 10 Pop album of the same name.
"Choosey Beggar" | ||||
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Single by The Miracles | ||||
from the album Going to a Go-Go | ||||
A-side | "Going to a Go-Go" | |||
Released | December 6, 1965 | |||
Recorded | Hitsville USA (Studio A): March 9, 1965 | |||
Genre | Soul/pop | |||
Label | Tamla T 54127 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Smokey Robinson Pete Moore | |||
Producer(s) | Smokey Robinson | |||
The Miracles singles chronology | ||||
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Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore and produced by Robinson, this song also became a national hit, reaching number 35 on the Billboard R&B chart. As the song's narrator, lead singer Smokey Robinson, using a play on the old axiom, "Beggars can't be choosers", portrays a man who simply refuses to accept just "any girl":
Beggars can't be choicey, I know...that's what the people say...But though my heart is begging for love ...I've turned some love away..." Only one girl is right for him... "I'm a choosey beggar...and you're my choice..."
"Choosey Beggar" has inspired cover versions by Debby Boone, and Jazz artist Chazz Dixon, and has been included in the Miracles' compilation album Greatest Hits - Vol. 2, along with several other Miracles "Greatest Hits" compilations.
Personnel Credits
Personnel – The Miracles
- Smokey Robinson – lead vocals, co-writer, producer
- Claudette Rogers Robinson – background vocals
- Pete Moore – background vocals, co-writer
- Ronnie White – background vocals
- Bobby Rogers – background vocals
- Marv Tarplin – guitar
Other personnel
- Other instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
References
- Coryton, Demitri; Joseph Murrells. Hits Of The Sixties: The Million Sellers
External links
- The Miracles-"Choosey Beggar", YouTube video