Shop Around
The Miracles featuring Bill "Smokey" Robinson | Artist Essentials
First released: 1960 (year verified)
Original faster 1960 national mono single recording; not the earlier regional take
MusicAtlas editorial note: The faster national performance lets the clipped vocal exchanges lock into the springy piano-and-drum rhythm.
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Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1960 (year verified)
The selected faster national recording was released in 1960, after a separate slower Detroit-only recording in the same year. The official label history distinguishes the two. The familiar 1961 annual year is the later hit context.
Recording: Original faster 1960 national mono single recording; not the earlier regional take
Credit: The Miracles featuring Bill "Smokey" Robinson
Role in this collection: The Miracles group recording under the original named lead billing
Original single: Shop Around
Shop Around - label history of the two 1960 recordings
The label explicitly distinguishes the initial Detroit release in September 1960 from the faster national performance released in October 1960. Whos Lovin You was the flip side. Chart success in 1961 does not replace the original 1960 release year. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
Shop Around - original Tamla hit pressing credit
The record specialist identifies the original Tamla hit pressing as the national version, reproduces the credit The Miracles Featuring Bill Smokey Robinson and gives the 1960 original issue. Used for the record credit and pressing distinction, not sales claims. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 1 - early original and alternate editions
The licensed historical program separately labels the regional and national Shop Around recordings, Way Over There with and without strings, and two Depend on Me versions. It is used for recording distinctions; its 2005 package and inherited modern track dates are not first release dates. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
Annual version match under review
The selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.
Two different Miracles studio takes were publicly issued in 1960. The faster national mono single is selected, while the actual annual title does not explicitly distinguish the takes. The actual retained candidate remains provisional and is excluded from Beyond.
Shop Around - label history of the two 1960 recordings
The label explicitly distinguishes the initial Detroit release in September 1960 from the faster national performance released in October 1960. Whos Lovin You was the flip side. Chart success in 1961 does not replace the original 1960 release year. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 1 - early original and alternate editions
The licensed historical program separately labels the regional and national Shop Around recordings, Way Over There with and without strings, and two Depend on Me versions. It is used for recording distinctions; its 2005 package and inherited modern track dates are not first release dates. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
About The Miracles
The Miracles were among the earliest vocal groups associated with Berry Gordy's recording enterprise. Their original lineup included Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers and Ronnie White, with guitarist Marv Tarplin closely involved in their sound. Songs such as Shop Around, The Tracks of My Tears and Ooo Baby Baby joined group singing with carefully crafted songwriting. Members also wrote for other Motown performers. After Smokey Robinson began a solo career, Billy Griffin led recordings including Do It Baby and Love Machine.
Artist background sources
Motown Museum: The Miracles
Supports group and contributor identities, named repertoire, songwriting for other acts and Griffin succession; disputed release/departure years are omitted and solo Robinson credits stay separate. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
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