Laughing Boy (song)

"Laughing Boy" is a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson and recorded and released as a single by early Motown star Mary Wells in 1963. The single is notable for being the song to break a consecutive streak of top ten hits Wells had scored between mid-1962 and early-1963.

"Laughing Boy"
Single by Mary Wells
from the album Two Lovers
B-side"Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right"
Released1963
RecordedHitsville USA, 1962
GenreSoul, pop
Length2:54
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Smokey Robinson
Producer(s)Smokey Robinson
Mary Wells singles chronology
"Two Lovers"
(1963)		 "Laughing Boy"
(1963)		 "Your Old Standby"
(1963)

Overview

Song information

In this song, the narrator consoles her boyfriend whom she feels is feeling "gloomy and blue" despite his public image that shows him in a happier mood. Appearing to think she doesn't love him, Wells tries pleading to her boyfriend to "smile once more" saying she still loves him "as she did before". The song features background singers imitating the man's appropriated laughter in a solemn tone.

Release and reaction

When the song was set for release, Motown executives were confident the record would continue Wells' streak of top ten hits which included "The One Who Really Loves You", "You Beat Me to the Punch" and "Two Lovers". However, the single stalled at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Hot R&B charts.[1] In spite of its failure not to reach the top ten, the song is still revered as a classic.

Personnel

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 617.
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