"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.
"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 | |||
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]
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]
"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 | |||
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] It was released double-sided together with " Ain't Got No, I Got Life" in the UK and reached No. 2 on the chart. [17]
Chart (1968) | Peak position |
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UK Singles ( OCC) [17] | 2 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [18] | 83 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard) [19] | 43 |
"Do What You Gotta Do" | ||||
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Single by Larry's Rebels | ||||
A-side | "Do What You Gotta Do" | |||
Released | 1968 | |||
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. [20] [21]
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. [22]
By October 4, 1968, the single had moved from No. 11 to No. 10 on the NZ listener charts. [23] It eventually peaked at No. 6. [24] Billboard also recorded its entry into the NZ top 10 at No. 10 for October 19, 1968. [25]
It has also been recorded by Bobby Vee, Clarence Carter, Paul Anka, and Ronnie Milsap. All were released in 1968, and Bobby Vee's version reached No. 62 in Canada. [26] Glen Campbell and The Fifth Dimension have also recorded it. 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. A version appeared on the Cher and Gregg Allman duet album Two the Hard Way. Linda Ronstadt had a version in 1993. Okkervil River released a version in 2007 on their free downloadable album Golden Opportunities Mixtape. Kanye West sampled Nina Simone's recording on his 2016 album The Life of Pablo, in the controversial track " Famous," with the lyrics being sung/interpolated by Rihanna.
Webb recorded and released his own version of the song on Just Across the River (2010).