"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years.

"The Tracks of My Tears" was written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson (lead vocalist), Pete Moore (bass vocalist), and Marv Tarplin (guitarist).

In the five-LP publication The Motown Story, by Motown Records, Smokey Robinson explained the origin of this song in these words: "Tracks of My Tears" was actually started by Marv Tarplin, who is a young cat who plays guitar for our act. So he had this musical thing - [sings melody] – you know, and we worked around with it, and worked around, and it became "Tracks of My Tears." Tarplin's guitar licks at the songs' intro have become instantly recognizable worldwide.

"The Tracks of My Tears" was a #2 hit on the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart, and it reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Belatedly released in the UK in 1969, "The Tracks of My Tears" became a Top Ten hit that summer reaching #9; a 1987 re-release - as "Tracks of My Tears" - appeared on the UK charts with a #82 peak (both UK releases were credited to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles).

The Miracles can be seen performing "The Tracks of My Tears" on their Motown DVD release "The Definitive Performances (1963–1987)".

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tracks_of_My_Tears

The Miracles, Tracks, Tears, Smokey Robinson, Soul, 1965