Carolyn Crawford - My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down

Back to the timeless wonders of Motorcity Records, for one of the most beautiful songs ever written in Motown's history, written of course by Smokey Robinson. Carolyn Crawford sizzles with fire on this version we remade with her of her classic that she sang when she was just fourteen years old, "My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down", the song which Smokey lyrically re-used three years later when he wrote "Tears Of A Clown". For years now, people have enjoyed the video we filmed in 1989 of "Timeless", one of my personal favourites of all the Motorcity recordings, and a song that meant everything to me, and into which I poured my heart and soul writing it. Carolyn was only thirteen years old when she signed to Motown, releasing three wonderful singles, "My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down", "Forget About Me", and "When Someone's Good To You", all written and produced by Smokey Robionson. But some of the unreleased tracks were amazing, like "Until You Came Along", and "Keep Stepping And Never Look Back". Then her three Philadelphia International releases are worth a fortune, and I still adore "Just Got To Be More Careful", and "When You Move You Lose". Following her time with Gamble and Huff, she joined Hodges James Smith and Crawford, before signing to Mercury, and then she became the voice on Bohannon's "Lets Start The Dance", one of the all time disco anthems. Because she was so young at Motown, therefore she was the youngest of all the Motorcity artists, being 39 when she first recorded "Timeless" and "Which Way Do I Turn". She was feisty and had a flaming temper, but I adored her, and still do. I still treasure her entire "Heartches" album that we released in 1990.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern-Soul
• Motown
• Detroit
• Anthem
• Blackpool-Mecca
• Girl-Singers
• Classic
• Sixties
• Diva
• Motorcity
• Centre-City
• Soul
• Female-Singers
• Classic-Soul
• Female-Soul-Singers
• Retro
• Girl-Groups
• Fingersnapper
• Sixties-Soul
• Female-Soul
• Smokey-Robinson
• Hitsville

[keekiw1]

Thanks lanLevin, I've always wondered what Carolyn Crawford looked like. Now that the mystery is over, she looks like she took care of herself over the years. Would you happen to have videos or photos of Frances Nero or June Conquest? If so, I would be honered to view the both of them because they are so hard to find. OH! I almost forgot about Liz Lands, how could i forget about her beautiful voice. Thanks again.

[IanLevine]

@keekiw1 - I have videos here on YouTube of both Frances Nero and Liz Lands that I produced. Frances had a hit in the UK with "Footsteps Following me". I also have three other videos of Carolyn up on here. Just type each name into the search box at the top of the page. Or go to my main page and look through the videos I have posted up of my work over the years.

[BrooklynBabe]

Thanks...Beautiful!

[IanLevine]

You are so so welcome - I am trying to build up a worldwide network of people with excellent taste. You should try to buy the Northern Soul 2009 CD off amazon uk

[BrooklynBabe]

Well, I just put this link on my Twitter page and my FB page and hope everyone gets to see her!

[IanLevine]

Give me a link to your facebook page and I'll add you as a friend.

[skypilot722]

I can't even freaking believe that I just discovered this lady! How in the heck did I miss this lovely face and voice? Somebody shoot me! Uh, disregard that last thing.

[carypappass]

Mmmmmm would I love to take that woman to a nice candle light dinner weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....s­oo sexy ....love her voice and looks :)

[carypappass]

Sweet lady !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[emmyprodr]

Wow!!! One of my favorit songs. I never knew what she looked like either. I listen to this all the time.....now....and forever.

[LLeluco1]

a classic soul Lady, wonderful voice, great sound! Thank you for posting!

[74souledout]

Thankyou for uploading this, JUST FAB!! xx

[65coupedeville]

09 Dec 2009

Take yourself back to the day, 10th July 1964, I was 15 going on 16, and over in Detroit, Smokey was cutting the studio version of this track, with a 14 year old girl, Carolyn Crawford, and she turned in a stellar performance on this Smokey Produced gem !!

I can imagine him vocally coaching the youngster, before she stood up, and vocal and instrumental magic took place.

Such a romantic song.

Thank you, Ian .

writers: William Robinson-Janie Bradford-William Stevenson

[gayboylaca]

Carolyn Crawford and Karen Pree sang background for Martha Reeves as her Vandellas for a while, but they never recorded with her.