I Second That Emotion Sheet Music Preview

I Second That Emotion: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

As performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Item: 35-DS00376619

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 1
SKU: 35-DS00376619

More about this title

About the Artist: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Smokey Robinson led The Miracles through one of Motown's most prolific runs, delivering sophisticated pop songs built on impeccable melody and vocal harmony. As both performer and songwriter, Robinson became the label's creative backbone, crafting hits that moved seamlessly between soul, pop, and R&B while maintaining rigorous standards for arrangement and lyrical storytelling.

Robinson's work remains essential listening in music education because it demonstrates how to build infectious grooves on strong harmonic foundations. His influence spans generations of pop songwriters, and his songs reward close study of melody, voice leading, and how to serve a song's emotional arc rather than overshadow it.

Why we love this

This track sits at the intersection of pop accessibility and genuine harmonic sophistication. The melody is immediately memorable without being simplistic, and the lead sheet format lets your musicians discover the architecture underneath those famous vocal arrangements. Students will recognize the song instantly, which removes the barrier to engagement and lets them focus on the musicianship.

What to expect

Warm and slightly wistful, with that distinctive Miracles shimmer that comes from layered voices and spare but elegant chord voicings. The song floats effortlessly between confidence and vulnerability, never lingering too long on either feeling. When played with the right touch, it becomes an intimate moment even in a crowded room.

Who it's for

Pianists and keyboardists looking to expand their vocabulary with soul and R&B standards; vocalists who want to explore how melody and harmony interlock in Motown-era composition; ensembles assembling a vintage pop or oldies program.

How to get the most out of it

  • Emphasize the groove's pocket rather than playing it metronomically; this song breathes slightly and that breathing is part of its charm.
  • Treat the melody as a conversation between the lead voice and the backing voices. Make sure the harmony parts aren't just filling space but actively supporting the emotional shape of each phrase.
  • Pay attention to the original recording's light touch with dynamics. This isn't a power ballad. The song's power comes from restraint and clarity, not volume.

How to use it

Pair this with other Motown standards or 1960s soul classics for a themed concert celebrating American songcraft. It also works as a bridge between more classical repertoire and contemporary material, showing students how standards from this era have become the foundation of modern pop writing. Consider featuring a vocalist with strong interpretation skills; the song rewards singers who understand phrasing and emotional nuance.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and interpreting lead sheet notation with slash chords and melodic contour
  • Comping with sensitivity to a lead vocalist's phrasing
  • Understanding harmonic rhythm and voice leading in R&B and soul contexts
  • Developing feel and swing in a soul idiom
  • Arranging vocal harmonies from a simple melody line

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