The Way You Do the Things You Do

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“The Way You Do the Things You Do”
Single by The Temptations
from the album Meet the Temptations
B-side "Just Let Me Know"
Released January 23, 1964
Format 7" single
Recorded Hitsville USA (Studio A); January 9, 1964
Genre Soul
Length 2:42
Label Gordy
G 7028
Writer(s) Smokey Robinson
Robert Rogers
Producer Smokey Robinson
The Temptations singles chronology
"Farewell My Love"
(1963)		 "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
(1964)		 "I'll Be in Trouble"
(1964)

"The Way You Do the Things You Do" is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, the single was The Temptations' first charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking in the Top 20 at number 11.

Contents

[edit] Temptations version

[edit] Background

Falsetto Eddie Kendricks sings lead on the record, composed by Robinson and Rogers while on the road with The Miracles as part of the Motortown Revue tour. Its plethora of pick-up lines ("You got a smile so bright/you know you coulda been a candle/I'm holding you so tight/You know you coulda been a handle") began as a light-hearted joke between Robinson and Rogers to pass time on the long bus rides. Realizing they had something they could work with, the Miracles kept the lyrics in mind and prepared the song for the Temptations, who by this time had only one single that had ever made it onto a Billboard chart (1962's "Dream Come True" made it to #22 on the R&B singles chart) and six flopped singles.

The recording was done on January 8, 1964, a mere two weeks after founding Temptation Elbridge Bryant had been fired, and Jimmy Ruffin's younger brother David Ruffin had taken Bryant's place. While Ruffin would sing lead on stage he would remain a background singer on the singles for most of 1964, but after Smokey Robinson heard him sing lead during the Temptations' Motortown Revue performance, Ruffin was assigned to sing lead on what would become the Temptations' first number-one hit, "My Girl".

The Temptations learned about the success of "The Way You Do the Things You Do" after returning home to Detroit, Michigan and hearing nonchalantly from a Motown executive that "oh, you guys got a hit." After reading the number 77 ("with a bullet") listing in Billboard magazine, Temptations members Otis Williams and David Ruffin immediately began crying with joy.

[edit] Credits

[edit] Covers

"The Way You Do the Things You Do" has been covered many times, including a second version by The Temptations with Diana Ross & the Supremes in 1968, versions by Eric Donaldson, Elkie Brooks, Rita Coolidge, The Underdogs and UB40, and a live version (part of a medley with "My Girl") by Hall & Oates featuring David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick. The Coolidge, UB40, and Hall & Oates/Ruffin/Kendrick versions were also released as singles (charting, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100 at #20 in 1978, at #6 in 1990, and at #20 in 1985).

Also, The Jerry Garcia Band frequently performed an extended jam of the song in concert, often lasting ten minutes or more.

[edit] UB40 cover

“The Way You Do the Things You Do”
“The Way You Do the Things You Do” cover
Single by UB40
from the album Labour of Love II
Released 1989
July 1990 France
Format CD single
CD maxi
7" single
Recorded 1989
Genre Reggae
Length 3:03
Writer(s) Smokey Robinson
Robert Rogers
Producer UB40
Certification Silver France, 1991
UB40 singles chronology
"Here I Am (Come and Take Me)"
(1989)		 "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
(1993)		 "Groovin"
(1991)

"The Way You Do the Things You Do" was covered in 1989 by the band UB40.

It was the sixth single from their 1989 album Labour of Love II. The song was released in 1989 in the major of the European countries (in July 1990 in France).

[edit] Track listings

7"-Single
  1. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:03)
  2. "Splugen" (4:41)
CD-Single
  1. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:03)
  2. "Splugen" (4:41)
CD-Maxi
  1. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (Jazzy Club Mix) (6:11)
  2. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (Paradise Mix) (4:07)
  3. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:00)
  4. "Splugen" (4:42)

[edit] Credits

  • Saxophones : Brian Travers
  • Vocals : Astro, Al Campbell, Robin Campbell
  • Drums : James Brown
  • Percussion : Norman Hassan
  • Bass guitar : Earl Falconer
  • Guitar : Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell
  • Keyboards : Mickey Virtue
  • Mixed by John Shaw, Gerry Parchment, and Bertie Grant

[edit] Charts, certifications and sales

Chart (1990) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[1] 6
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[1] 21
French Singles Chart[2] 11
German Singles Chart[3] 53
Irish Singles Chart[4] 26
UK Singles Chart[5] 49
Country Certification Sales/shipments
France Silver[6] 151,000[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved April 20, 2008)
  2. ^ "The Way You Do the Things You Do", in French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved February 12, 2008)
  3. ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  4. ^ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  5. ^ UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  6. ^ UB40's certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved February 12, 2008)
  7. ^ Sales of UB40's singles in France Infodisc.fr (Retrieved February 12, 2008)
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