Smokey Robinson sings to Aretha Franklin during her funeral 

Smokey: "You're gonna be one of the featured voices in the choir of angels because, you'd have to be.." RIP Queen

I love that he kept saying YOU vs Aretha! Acknowledging that shes still someone even though she physically isn't here. Let me say when he started singing.. I started crying

I love how he is is talking directly to Aretha. I watched everyone, but this feels like we are listening in on two old friends talking. It made me 😢

Wow! Was just discussing how Smokey has outlived all his Motown friends/brothers & some sisters. Rest with our Heavenly Father queen Aretha Franklin.

Smokey still has the pipes, no music just pure voice! Very appropriate tribute to a Queen and good friend, from the heart!!

Smokey you did a beautiful tribute to your lifelong friend and ended with such a beautiful song.....tears......

He tapped into another demesion while he was talking to Aretha like a little child in 1st Person. She was for ever present at that moment. What a Powerfuuuul interaction with his dear friend.

His tribute was the most sincere. Deep from the heart. That was true friendship. Knew her since she was eight years old. The FOLK they knew from Detroit!!! Wow! ❤️

Smokey made me cry like a baby.

This was hands down the most genuine and heartfelt tribute of the night! You really felt their friendship. Most of the other singers screamed through their songs and most of the speakers appeared to relish the spotlight and make some grandiose, inappropriate stand. Thank you Smokey for keeping the focus on your dear friend, our queen of soul.

All my life I wished I had a friend like that.

This got me how he was talkin to her on a personal level and made her human. Not just Aretha Franklin the legend but his childhood friend. And the song... every time I hear it never fails to make me cry. I can only imagine for folks like Smokey... like Stevie... like Gladys... this is YEARS of friendship... of growing up and being in the business... they’ve seen it all and have seen practically all of their friends come and go... our elders are leaving us and this broke me to see them have to go through this...

Beautiful Acapella Version Of " I'll Miss you " it broke my heart to see her youngest son get choked up when Smoky started singing😞

The emotion in his voice. He is pure brilliance.

That was beautiful smokie. Just you and an old friend having a last chat.

Smokeys remarks were so beautiful, had me balling my eyes out 😭😭😭😭

Smokey he just GOD gifted no music and he was on point. He sounded so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes great job Smokey.

He is a genuine man. Touching tribute.

Smokey still looks Good😍he don't age

Smokey Smokey Smokey, I wish he would’ve sang the entire song!! Such a Beautiful, Heartfelt & Sad song, which would always bring me to tears whenever I watched the Temptation’s movie!! This song definitely fit their relationship over the years!! RIP ARETHA🙏🏽🌹 #TheQueenofSoul👑

Lord have mercy Jesus Smokey Robinson when he sings Lord knows he don't need no music wow

Tears Are Rolling Down My Face, Missing My Family That Have Gone On🙏♥️🙏♥️

I'm in my mid seventies. I grew up listening to Aretha and Smokey singing to us since forever. Dances weren't complete without their songs. I'm sure Aretha felt the same as she went to meet our maker while listening to Smokey sing a song for her. RIP Aretha

Smokey still looks amazing, love his tribute to Aretha.

smokey has always had a sweet soul you can hear his love in his music but most of all you hear his soul a gentle soft loving soul

Aretha Franklin was the angelic Queen of soul one of the greatest voices God ever gave any human may you rest in peace dear lady

I'm a Professional Photographer that shoots high end homes for sale and was working by myself while I was watching & listening to Aretha's memorial service. IT RENEWED ME AND GAVE ME STRENGTH like almost nothing I've ever heard. I was, still am and forever will be FOREVER TOUCHED TO THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART by Smokies' heart wrenching goodbye and singing to his LIFELONG, GOOD GOOD GOOD FRIEND. How I wish I had one friend like that from my childhood. But I bet that the vast majority of us don't and it's only getting WORSE. The human race is bringing about its own END FASTER & FASTER & FASTER. Life is incredibly SHORT.....make yourself happy.

Such a Beautiful goodbye!

Smokey, still smoking !! Love you Smokey !!

Omg... Did he have to sing that song... Tears.

This song always bring me to tears😢 Rest in Peace Queen Diva Aretha❤

Heaven had to open up extra room , for her gigantic Soul. She changed this guys life, forever. Love you, Ms. Franklin.💛🙏

Awww that was beautiful smokey... Rip queen

Made me cry. May our heavenly father give her family, friends and fans peace, comfort and strength.

Very touching we can't find friends like this but when we do we will know it unconditional.

I almost cried when he sang that song. So beautiful. I'm going to miss Aretha and John McCain. They were great icons.

Yeap the tears are flowing!! That song just took me out!!

Smokey knows how to capture a crowd.Beautiful words from a beautiful voice.The most heart felt part of the ceremony.It's always hard to lose a true friend..Eternal Peace.

I can't hear the entire song without stopping midway and crying, this song goes to the core of my soul.

That was just PERFECT Smokey! What you said and what you sang........BEAUTIFUL tribute! Condolences to you!

OMG! I'm crying that was so sad. Especially when Smokey sings. That song makes me cry so much.

Smokey robinson and the miracles were the very first concert I have ever seen live in Reno Nevada in around 1979-1980 as I was 13 years old and never stopped listening to his music as I will die to it

I saw Smokey at a small winery; the concert was so intimate. Not only is this man a genius as it relates to music, he has an amazing ability to keep you captivated while he speaks...

That Made Me Tear Up, Beautiful Eulogy For Areatha Franklin From Smokey Robinson 🎤💯💔

This is what class looks like and makes you feel like. Well done Smokey. Well done indeed.

Beautiful 😪😥 Smokey still has that.... VOICE!!!!..😎😎 Rest in Peace, Ms.Franklin, " The Queen of Soul😔😔

All of Detroit thanks you for such an Awesome Tribute to the Queen. Of course I was there also, I was sitting where you and Earl came in. I thought the City of Detroit did a Fabulous job Honoring their Queen.

My prayers are with you Smokey that song get to me every time

🐝, what a blessing to have had a childhood friend for so long to sing to you as in the present. RIP our QUEEN.

Figures that one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters, as well as one of Americas most beautiful voices, would do such a heartfelt tribute to his friend. People like Smokey and Aretha are the pinnacle of humanity. They bring joy to others without asking anything other than human decency and understanding. Both artists gave us more than we deserve.

I love to here him sing.Wonderful voice.

I’ve loved Smokey ROBINSON’s music for Years!!

Absolutely beautiful , the way Smokey told him friend goodbye.

Smokey still have it 🎤🎶🎵

Smokey that was raw! What a gorgeous soul he is. And he goes right back to the very start. 1958. Pre-Motown. This guy is a legend. There are, however, many Detroit superstars still left.. Martha Reeves, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Stevie Wonder etc. So they aren't the longest, but by god, they are the most unique of all the Detroit acts! Long Live the Queen!!!!!

God bless you Smokey. Very touching and sincere. Music has lost a divine Queen. 👸🏾🙏🏾😔

Yup. Buckets. Bawled like a baby. Lost of performances were beautiful, amazing, strong. He's the only one who brought me to tears, no question.

My condolences to all the family & friends of Aretha Louise Franklin🌹🙏🌹 😭😥 Smokey that was very beautiful & I know she heard every word. May God✝️Bless you all.

My buddy my Gram pick this song for her funeral about 8 years ago. I just wanted to hear him actually sing it! The flesh means nothing it's the Spirit that surpasses! Bless everyone's heart!

I met Smokey in Atlanta at the Peachtree Plaza Hotel, and he was about as humble, nice as a person could be, must be truly one of God's special children.

Powerful tribute - I about blew the speakers on my first nice “sound system” listening to and singing along with Aretha back in the 80s. Volume cranked. Probably why I’m getting hard of hearing now. lol. RIP

Tears. Smokey im speechless that was Beautiful..

Smokey looks great at 78!!

So beautiful and touching. Thanks for sharing what a real lifelong friendship is. Tears, and love to you Smokey!

Ive LOST A LOT OF LOVED ONES IN MY LIFE FROM OLDER TO YOUNGER THAN ME AND THIS SONG SAYS IT ALLLLLLLL FOR ME 💧💧💧🙏🏽🙏🏽PERIOD

Balling like a baby . That was sweet Smokey .

Really Gonna Miss you was played at my BEAUTIFUL sister’s funeral in 2016. Very pretty song by Mr. Smokey. Tears are flowing now hearing him sing a lil portion

This song always takes me somewhere no return🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽I LOVE IT

Every time I'm going to watch the movie Temptations when they play this song at end I'm going to thinking about Aretha Franklin 1948-2018 R.i.p

A beautiful tribute!

Smokey is a beautiful soul. His tribute to his friend Aretha shows grace, humility, and love.

I've loved Aretha since I first heard rock n roll in the '50's. I loved Smokey Robinson's sound as well. I heard them on Soul Train in the 'it's (I think) as a duet singing " Ooh, Baby, Baby" & it brought tears to my eyes. It still does, as her voice always did.

RIP dear Aretha...heaven has a new angel in the choir.

Tears Falls😢 , Rest In Peace Queen 👑❤️

I'm so glad Smokey sang that song. That is one of the few songs that WILL make me cry. I've been singing in a church choir since I was 10. I'm GiGi to 3 and no song has ever touched my heart like this one has. A tribute fitting for a Queen.

Smokey was the best!

What a beautiful tribute to one of his best friends... Choked up whilst he was singing to her 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Smokey's tribute to Aretha made me reflect on an old friend I will forever cherish but I truly miss her. I'm gonna miss you my old friend. Simply beautiful.

my god smokey dat voice bro never change even at ur age wat a gift

I love this man 💕❤. Just seen him live a few days after Ms. Franklin passed away. He gives out such an amazing vibe during his concerts. I just looked at some of the recording I took tonight and they still give me chills. I can't wait to see him perform live again.

This is amazing a legend singing to a legend

That was beautiful and genuine. I feel like that was the only real moment of the whole funeral.

hey Smokey good seeing you you're the landlord to keep off Motown music always and forever

A very honest and heartfelt speech. RIP Aretha. You were my favourite singer by far.

What a beautiful tribute to his friend! I met this man 2 years ago, he is genuine as they come. Made me feel like an old friend. Bravo Smokey

Aww, that was so special. He wrote and sang that just for her and those there. It is the small things that mean the most!!!. The time and effort are priceless.

How many of us can say you still have your childhood friends stay you are still in touch. You know some of us grow up and move on and start another new life. Well Mr. Smokey there are those who come into our lives for a season and their are those with us until end. You and Aretha were that special friend to each other. Beautiful tribute to your friend.

To the true beauty, that is you and in your heart.

Top song writer. One of the 20th centuries top talents. We're blessed to have you Smokey. Beautiful tribute to the Queen of Soul. Speaking to her like your both in a Diner have a cup of coffee. Congratulations on your success and sharing it with the rest of the world.

Smokey is timeless. I’ve been seeing and wAtching him since 1965. At the Uptown in Philadelphia. And I’m still a Smokey fan today.

Such a natural poetical sense of mind, you can tell smokey doesnt have to enter any certian mindset to write his songs, its just his authentic state of mind. When he was talking here it sounded like the start of sweet harmony

Smokey still Fine... Still got them pipes... Smokey you can still get it...

I love this guy's soft voice

Heaven opened up its arms for our Queen so much soul Aretha gave us all

Smokey talked to Areatha with all of us listening You can tell he was a Good friend. Rip Areatha.

love, love this guy! This song reminds me all the time of the friends I've lost and loved! RIP VICKI WHITE!

I love this video over n over again with Bill n smokie Robinson in it❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍😊😊

Not for nothing Bill back there fighting for his life but Smokey my darn your thr warmest and magical person ever!!

A True poetic soul ❤Smokey❤❤❤

I was driving when I heard this being broadcast on the radio. Cried while I was driving to work. Such a powerful moment.