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.

Al Wilson version

"Do What You Gotta Do"
"Do What You Gotta Do"
Single by Al Wilson
A-side"Do What You Gotta Do"
B-side"Now I Know What Love Is"
ReleasedDecember 1967
GenreSoul, pop
Length3:20
LabelSoul City SCR-761
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Webb
Producer(s)Johnny Rivers
Al Wilson singles chronology
"The Snake"
(1973)		 "Do What You Gotta Do"
(1967)		 "I Stand Accused"
(1974)

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"
Single by Nina Simone
A-side"Do What You Gotta Do"
B-side"Peace of Mind"
Released1968
LabelRCA Victor 47-9602
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Webb
Producer(s)Stroud Productions, Inc.
Nina Simone singles chronology
"Why? (The King of Love Is Dead) - Pt. 1"
(1968)		 "Do What You Gotta Do"
(1968)		 "Ain't Got No; I Got Life"
(1968)

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"
Released1968
LabelImpact IR-1039
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Webb
Larry's Rebels singles chronology
"Halloween" "Do What You Gotta Do" "Party Time"

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".

Webb recorded and released his own version of the song on Just Across the River (2010).

References
  1. 45Cat - Al Wilson - Discography, USA, Do What You Gotta Do, Soul City USA SCR 761
  2. Billboard, Jan 6, 1968 - Page 51 Bubbling Under the Hot 100
  3. Billboard, February 10, 1968 - Page 48 Bubbling Under the Hot 100
  4. Billboard, February 17, 1968 - Page 56 Bubbling Under the Hot 100
  5. Billboard, February 17, 1968 - Page 28 Billboard Best Selling R&B Singles
  6. Billboard.com - Al Wilson | Chart History, Do What You Gotta Do
  7. 45Cat - Al Wilson - Discography, USA, Do What You Gotta Do, Soul City USA SCR 761
  8. SoulMusic.com, 26 February 2014 - WILLIE HUTCH SEPTEMBER 1973 INTERVIEW
  9. The Times, June 12, 2008 - Al Wilson: American soul singer
  10. Soulbot - Al Wilson, NOW I KNOW WHAT LOVE IS (1967)
  11. BBC, 13 November 2014 - Stoke & Staffordshire, Northern soul, Soul & Motown Show Playlist Archive, Playlist for 29 August
  12. Popsike - '"Now I Know What Love Is"'
  13. Discogs - Various – Northern Soul From The City
  14. Discogs - Various – Mastercuts Northern Soul
  15. 45Cat - Artist: Nina Simone, Catalogue: 47-9602
  16. Billboard.com - Nina Simone | Chart History, Do What You Gotta Do
  17. Sergent.com.au - Larry's Rebels
  18. 45Cat - Larry's Rebels - Discography
  19. Sergent.com.au - Larry's Rebels
  20. Flavour of New Zealand - NZ listener charts 1968, 04-Oct-1968
  21. Pop Archives - LARRY'S REBELS, Do What You Gotta Do
  22. Billboard, October 19, 1968 - Page 77 Hits Of The World, New Zealand
  23. Pop Archives - LARRY'S REBELS, Do What You Gotta Do
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