LOS ANGELES ‒ Christmas and Motown music are two beloved aspects of American culture that go hand in hand.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles brought forth the renowned label’s first full holiday album, “Christmas With the Miracles,” in 1963, later contributing to memorable festive albums like the 1973 “A Motown Christmas Album.”

It’s no surprise that the seemingly timeless Robinson, 84, wore vibrant red and green ensembles to co-host NBC’s “A Motown Christmas” along with Halle Bailey, the star of “The Little Mermaid.” This special will feature performances by Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, and The Temptations. The fun-filled holiday program reflects the spirit of the traditional Motown Christmas gatherings from years gone by.

“They were incredibly festive,” Robinson tells YSL News. “People would perform there on the spot. Christmas is a uniquely special time of the year.”

A Memorable Motown Christmas party: Stevie Wonder gives ‘Tears of a Clown’

One of Robinson’s most cherished memories from those festive gatherings was when his friend Stevie Wonder gifted him a cassette that he recorded with songwriter/producer Hank Crosby. “Stevie gave me a tape to check out because he was struggling to come up with a song for it,” Robinson recalls. “I tucked it away in my pocket.”

When Robinson finally listened to the cassette and recognized the playful intro, he immediately thought of the sorrowful clown from the Italian opera “Pagliacci.”

“In school, I learned that everyone adored the clown Pagliacci and they cheered for him,” Robinson explains. “Yet, when he went backstage, he cried because he lacked love from a woman. I aimed to write ‘Tears of a Clown’ about something deeply personal.”

From that point onward, all was positive. The song became an immediate success, selling millions worldwide and earning a Grammy Hall of Fame induction in 2002.

Undiscovered Marvin Gaye shines at a Motown Christmas party

Robinson was unaware of Marvin Gaye’s talent before the unknown artist appeared at an early Motown Christmas gathering. However, everything changed when Gaye began playing “The Christmas Song” on the piano.

“He sang it quietly to himself, but soon, people began to gather around, especially the women,” Robinson recalls, “because he possessed such a stunning voice. That’s when I first encountered Marvin Gaye at that Christmas party. It was remarkable.”

Robinson’s close call while perfecting ‘Tracks of My Tears’

Robinson will perform his iconic “Tracks of My Tears” during “Motown Christmas.” The beloved track started with a haunting melody from his frequent collaborator, guitarist Marv Tarplin, but it took weeks to nail down the lyrics.

“I created the first three lines of the chorus: ‘Take a good look at my face/You see my smile looks out of place/ If you look closer it’s easy to trace,’” Robinson remembers. “But then I was stumped – should I say, ‘I’m sad’? No. ‘You’re gone and I’m still here’? Nope. I went through several versions.”

Weeks passed, and Robinson hit a wall while shaving one morning.

“As I gazed into the mirror, I pondered, ‘What if someone cried so frequently that their tears left marks on their face?’” Robinson shares, as he whipped up lather. “I exclaimed, ‘That’s the one!’ At that moment, the song was complete. Each track I’ve written has had its own unique timeline. For example, ‘Cruising’ took me five years to finally finish.”

Smokey Robinson still dances gracefully at 84

Robinson continues to move fluidly on stage as he performs. He attributes his flexibility to practicing yoga, a discipline he has followed for over fifty years.

“I do it daily,” says Robinson. “It helps keep my body agile and keeping your circulation active. I don’t want to grow old or frail, relying on others to help me go out. My goal is to stay as agile and dynamic as I can.

Robinson Understands Why Mike Tyson Continues to Fight: ‘I Attempted Retirement Too’

Robinson was one of the countless people who watched Mike Tyson, 58, face off against YouTuber Jake Paul, 27, last month on Netflix. Although many criticized the event as merely a money-making scheme, Robinson empathizes with Tyson’s urge to return to boxing. “For Mike, fighting is like music is to me; it’s part of who he is,” Robinson remarks. “I tried to retire as well, and after about three years, I was lost regarding what to do with my life.”

This year, Robinson released “Gasms,” marking his first album of fresh content since 2009. Meanwhile, Tyson fought a reality television star who was significantly younger, with Paul ultimately being named the victor after eight dull rounds.

“Regarding whether Mike should have taken part in that fight, particularly after witnessing the match, I’m not completely sure,” Robinson admits. “But my affection for Mike remains strong. If that’s what he wanted, I can relate to that.”