Do What You Gotta Do (Jimmy Webb song)
"Do What You Gotta Do" is a song that was written by Jimmy Webb. It was first recorded by Johnny Rivers and released on his 1967 album Rewind. In 1968, it was an R&B hit for Al Wilson. It was also a hit for Nina Simone that year and a local hit for New Zealand band Larry's Rebels as well.
Al Wilson version
"Do What You Gotta Do"
"Do What You Gotta Do" | ||||
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Single by Al Wilson | ||||
A-side | "Do What You Gotta Do" | |||
B-side | "Now I Know What Love Is" | |||
Released | December 1967 | |||
Format | 45 RPM | |||
Genre | Soul, pop | |||
Length | 3:20 | |||
Label | Soul City SCR-761 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
Producer(s) | Johnny Rivers | |||
Al Wilson singles chronology | ||||
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Al Wilson's version was released as a single in December 1967. It was produced by Marc Gordon and arranged by Marty Paich.[1] For the week ending Jan 6, 1968, the single was bubbling under the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 127.[2] By February 10, 1968, it was bubbling under at 103.[3] The following week it had only moved up one place to 102,[4] but at the same time, it was at No. 46 in the R&B chart.[5] It peaked at No. 39 on March 9, 1968, and spent a total of 6 weeks on the R&B chart.[6]
"Now I Know What Love Is"
The B-side to "Do What You Gotta Do" was the composition by Willie Hutch, "Now I Know What Love Is". It was produced by Marc Gordon.[7] It was one of a number of songs that Hutch wrote for Wilson, which included "Who Could Be Lovin' You" and "Getting Ready for Tomorrow". Hutch was also a Soul City label-mate of Wilson.[8] It would eventually become a Northern soul hit and enduring favorite on the scene,[9][10][11] possibly influencing some record sellers to list the record in auctions with "Now I Know What Love Is" as the A-side instead of its proper allocation as the B-side.[12] It would appear on compilations such as Northern Soul from the City, released in 2004,[13] and the Kev Roberts compiled Mastercuts Northern Soul, released in 2005.[14]
Nina Simone version
"Do What You Gotta Do" | ||||
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Single by Nina Simone | ||||
A-side | "Do What You Gotta Do" | |||
B-side | "Peace of Mind" | |||
Released | 1968 | |||
Format | 45 RPM | |||
Label | RCA Victor 47-9602 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
Producer(s) | Stroud Productions, Inc. | |||
Nina Simone singles chronology | ||||
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Nina Simone's version was released in August 1968. The credited producer was Stroud Productions and Enterprises, Inc., and it was arranged and conducted by Horace Ott.[15] It spent 5 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 83 on October 26, 1968.[16]
Larry's Rebels version
"Do What You Gotta Do" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Larry's Rebels | ||||
A-side | "Do What You Gotta Do" | |||
Released | 1968 | |||
Format | 45 RPM | |||
Label | Impact IR-1039 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
Larry's Rebels singles chronology | ||||
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Larry's Rebels released a version on the New Zealand Impact label in September 1968 backed with "Looking for a Way" which was composed by John Williams and Larry Morris.[17][18]
The song was recorded during the group's Blast Off '68 tour. Their guitar and organ player Terry Rouse couldn't make the session so Brian Henderson played organ on the recording.[19]
By October 4, 1968, the single had moved from No. 11 to No. 10 on the NZ listener charts.[20] It eventually peaked at No. 6.[21] Billboard also recorded its entry into the NZ top 10 at No. 10 for October 19, 1968.[22]
Other versions
It has also been recorded by Bobby Vee, Clarence Carter, Paul Anka, and Ronnie Milsap. All were released in 1968. The Four Tops released a version in 1969 which was available as a single in the UK and was also included on their album Four Tops Now!. B.J. Thomas and Roberta Flack had versions released in 1970 and the following year a version by Tom Jones was released. Linda Ronstadt had a version in 1993.[23] Kanye West sampled Nina Simone's recording on his 2016 album The Life of Pablo, in the controversial track "Famous".
References
- 45Cat - Al Wilson - Discography, USA, Do What You Gotta Do, Soul City USA SCR 761
- Billboard, Jan 6, 1968 - Page 51 Bubbling Under the Hot 100
- Billboard, February 10, 1968 - Page 48 Bubbling Under the Hot 100
- Billboard, February 17, 1968 - Page 56 Bubbling Under the Hot 100
- Billboard, February 17, 1968 - Page 28 Billboard Best Selling R&B Singles
- Billboard.com - Al Wilson | Chart History, Do What You Gotta Do
- 45Cat - Al Wilson - Discography, USA, Do What You Gotta Do, Soul City USA SCR 761
- SoulMusic.com, 26 February 2014 - WILLIE HUTCH SEPTEMBER 1973 INTERVIEW
- The Times, June 12 2008 - Al Wilson: American soul singer
- Soulbot - Al Wilson, NOW I KNOW WHAT LOVE IS (1967)
- BBC, 13 November 2014 - Stoke & Staffordshire, Northern soul, Soul & Motown Show Playlist Archive, Playlist for 29 August
- Popsike - '"Now I Know What Love Is"'
- Discogs - Various – Northern Soul From The City
- Discogs - Various – Mastercuts Northern Soul
- 45Cat - Artist: Nina Simone, Catalogue: 47-9602
- Billboard.com - Nina Simone | Chart History, Do What You Gotta Do
- Sergent.com.au - Larry's Rebels
- 45Cat - Larry's Rebels - Discography
- Sergent.com.au - Larry's Rebels
- Flavour of New Zealand - NZ listener charts 1968, 04-Oct-1968
- Pop Archives - LARRY'S REBELS, Do What You Gotta Do
- Billboard, October 19, 1968 - Page 77 Hits Of The World, New Zealand
- Pop Archives - LARRY'S REBELS, Do What You Gotta Do