At 85, the legendary Smokey Robinson proves that the soul never ages. With a career spanning over six decades, the Motown icon is still creating, performing, and most importantly, inspiring. His latest project, What the World Needs Now, is a heartfelt collection of uplifting classics like “Lean on Me,” “Three Little Birds,” and “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got”—songs chosen to uplift and unify in a world that often feels divided.
Appearing recently on CBS Mornings, Robinson shared his motivation behind the new album. “I want people to be inspired to care about each other and to love each other,” he said. “That’s what this music is about.”
Despite a brief three-year retirement, Robinson remains devoted to his craft and is on the Legacy Tour, celebrating timeless hits and fresh recordings. “I can’t find anything that replaces it for me,” he said of performing live. “I don’t get that joy or that feeling anywhere else in my life.”
A founding member of The Miracles, Robinson helped define the Motown sound with classics like “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown,” and “Ooo Baby Baby.” He’s not just a celebrated performer—he’s also penned over 4,000 songs, including hits for The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Mary Wells.
Smokey Robinson’s impact on music is undeniable. He’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (1987), a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and has received the National Medal of Arts. He’s also been honored with a BET Lifetime Achievement Award and Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing his enduring influence on American culture.
This year marks 50 years since the release of his genre-defining song “Quiet Storm,” which birthed a whole subgenre of mellow R&B. Yet even with a catalog of iconic work behind him, Smokey is focused on the future. “I hope my legacy will be that I was a good human being,” he said humbly. “You don’t get any bigger than being a human being.”
What the World Needs Now drops on Friday, April 25.