"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, which became a 1962 Top 10 hit single for the Miracles.
Smokey Robinson wrote this song when he was in New York City negotiating a publishing deal and was not pleased with the direction the talks were going. He says that he wrote the song in his hotel room with the intention of writing something controversial, which he accomplished with the first line: "I don't like you, but I love you." Such a conflicted and unhealthy sentiment was rarely heard in songs of this era.
Robinson had Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home to Me" in his head at the time. Cooke would sometimes perform at Robinson's church in Detroit with his group the Soul Stirrers, and Smokey was a big fan. Cooke's song finds the singer apologizing to his girl after casting her off, promising to treat her right if she comes back. "You've Really Got a Hold On Me" is the same sentiment but with the roles reversed: the girl mistreats the guy, but he loves her unconditionally.
One of the Miracles' most covered tunes, this million-selling song received a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It has also been selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It was recorded by the Beatles for their second album, “With the Beatles” (1963).
The Beatles also recorded and performed it in the 1970 movie, “Let It Be”. They were the first big British band to come to America and admit they were influenced by black music. Robinson admired this admission and felt they helped black artists by covering their songs. It wasn't the only Motown song The Beatles covered: they also recorded "Money (That's What I Want)" and "Please Mr. Postman" along with "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" on their U.K. release The Beatles' Second Album.
Berry Gordy of Motown gave The Beatles a reduced rate for the rights to cover the songs, as it was a huge deal for him to have the most popular band in England recording songs from his team.
Various Sources
The attached record is a 2021 collectable 45 rpm record with both the Miracles and the Beatles versions on the special picture disk.