Is Time Flies When You're Having Fun a good place to start with Smokey Robinson?

Yes, Time Flies When You're Having Fun is recommended as a starting point for new Smokey Robinson listeners. Smooth soul melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, creating a nostalgic yet contemporary vibe throughout the album. When Smokey Robinson released 'Time Flies When You're Having Fun' in 2009, he was in a phase of artistic resurgence, following his last studio album 'Food for the Spirit' from 2004. This album marked his return to the forefront of contemporary soul music after several years focusing on various projects, including touring and collaborations.

Who is Time Flies When You're Having Fun for?

Time Flies When You're Having Fun works well if you're into steady melodic journey throughout, heartfelt storytelling in each track and for afternoon relaxation.

How many songs are on Time Flies When You're Having Fun?

Time Flies When You're Having Fun has 12 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Smokey Robinson · 2009

57 min · 12 tracks · soul

Smooth soul melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, creating a nostalgic yet contemporary vibe throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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You're the One for Me (feat. Joss Stone) — This track stands out for its rich vocal interplay between Robinson and Joss Stone, capturing the essence of love with a contemporary twist.
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Please Don't Take Your Love (feat. Carlos Santana) — Featuring Santana's iconic guitar work, this song blends soulful emotion with rock elements, enhancing its message of longing and desperation.
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Time Flies Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of nostalgia and appreciation for moments spent together, driven by Robinson's smooth delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album blends classic soul with modern influences, showcasing strong collaborations and smooth melodies.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of smooth, laid-back grooves that maintain a mid-tempo feel across most tracks.
Several songs incorporate guest vocals, creating a dynamic interplay between Robinson's voice and those of featured artists.
The lyrical themes often revolve around love and nostalgia, with melodies that evoke a classic soul sound while integrating contemporary production elements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic journey throughout
heartfelt storytelling in each track
for afternoon relaxation
smooth collaborations enhance warmth

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced listening experiences
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows artistic resurgence and blends classic soul with modern influences.
Themes: nostalgic love· smooth soul melodies· heartfelt longing
Career context: When Smokey Robinson released 'Time Flies When You're Having Fun' in 2009, he was in a phase of artistic resurgence, following his last studio album 'Food for the Spirit' from 2004. This album marked his return to the forefront of contemporary soul music after several years focusing on various projects, including touring and collaborations.
Stylistic neighbors: Marvin Gaye· Al Green· The Temptations