You've Really Got a Hold on Me

{{Infobox Single (1962} (1962) (1963) }}
 * Name = You've Really Got a Hold on Me
 * Cover =
 * Artist = The Miracles
 * from Album = The Fabulous Miracles
 * Released = November 1962
 * Format = 7" single
 * Recorded = Hitsville USA (Studio A); 1962
 * Genre = Soul
 * Length = 3:02
 * Label = Tamla T 54073
 * Writer = Smokey Robinson
 * Producer = Smokey Robinson
 * Chart position =
 * # 8 (US Pop Singles)
 * # 1 (US R&B Singles)
 * Last single = "I'll Try Something New"
 * This single = "You've Really Got a Hold on Me"
 * Next single = "A Love She Can Count On"

"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a 1962 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla (Motown) label.

The Miracles' version
Written by Smokey Robinson and featuring Robinson on lead vocals, with second tenor Bobby Rogers on harmony co-lead, the song explores the feelings of a man so in love with a woman that he can't leave her despite the fact that she treats him badly. The song was a major hit for the Miracles, peaking at number-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number-one on the R&B singles chart during the winter of 1962-63. The Miracles' original version is a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee. It was also the group's second single to sell over a million copies, after "Shop Around".

The song, one of the most famous of the early Motown era, has been covered extensively since its release, including a famous cover by The Beatles on their With the Beatles in the UK and on The Beatles' Second Album in the United States. The song was also covered by Cher and Gregg Allman on their 1978 album Two the Hard Way under the name Allman and Woman, Percy Sledge, Mike and the Mechanics, Greg Lake, Little Caesar and the Consuls, The Zombies, The Small Faces and The Supremes, among many others. It was recorded by Cyndi Lauper for her 2003 album At Last. It was also recorded by Bobby McFerrin in his debut album, released in 1982 by Elektra Musician. Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward covered the song for their project, She & Him. The Miracles can be seen performing the song live at the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York on the Motown/Universal DVD release:Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances. This filmed performance,according to the DVD's liner notes, is the only known recorded live footage of the group with original Miracles member Claudette (Mrs.Smokey) Robinson.

Credits

 * Smokey Robinson – lead vocal
 * Claudette Rogers Robinson – backing vocal
 * Pete Moore – backing vocal
 * Ronnie White – backing vocal
 * Bobby Rogers – backing vocal and harmony co-lead vocal
 * Marv Tarplin – guitar
 * Other instruments by The Funk Brothers

The Beatles' version
"You Really Got a Hold on Me" [sic] was the first track recorded for The Beatles second LP With the Beatles, and features John Lennon on lead vocal with George Harrison on close harmony. The Beatles acquired an imported copy and included it in their repertoire early in 1963. This session for the new LP began with "Please Please Me" still at number one in the album charts four months after its release, and in the midst of a rigorous touring schedule that also had to include BBC sessions for radio and television.

Beatles' version credits

 * John Lennon – lead vocal, rhythm guitar
 * George Harrison – lead guitar, lead vocal
 * Paul McCartney – bass, backing vocal
 * Ringo Starr – drums
 * George Martin – piano

Eddie Money version
"You Really Got a Hold on Me" is a song by American rock singer Eddie Money, from his 1977 album Eddie Money. It was released as a single in early 1979 and reached #72 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Cultural references

 * "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" was once performed live on the "Scenes from a Barbecue" episode of the television series Roseanne (May 7, 1991). In the episode, Roseanne's friend Bonnie (played by actress and singer Bonnie Bramlett) sings the song during a Mother's Day backyard sing-a-long.