The Way You Do the Things You Do

"The Way You Do the Things You Do"
Single by The Temptations
from the album Meet the Temptations & The Temptations Sing Smokey
B-side	"Just Let Me Know"
Released	January 23, 1964
Format	7" single
Recorded	Hitsville USA (Studio A); January 9, 1964
Genre	Soul, R&B, Pop
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 eleven and also went to number one on the Cash Box R&B chart.

Temptations version

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. This version of the song actually appears on two of their early 60's albums; 1964's Meet The Temptations, and 1965's The Temptations Sing Smokey.

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 76 ("with a bullet") listing in Billboard magazine, Temptations members Otis Williams and David Ruffin immediately began crying with joy. During this period the group's baritone Paul Williams was still considered the main lead singer; but due to the success of this single, Kendricks would be given the lead on the next two following singles.

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Eddie Kendricks
• Background vocals by Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, David Ruffin, and Otis Williams
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

Chart history

Chart (1964)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart	11
U.S. Cash Box R&B Singles Chart	1

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, UB40 and the Jerry Garcia Band, as well as 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).

A special Italian language version has been recorded in 1967 by The Temptations themselves, with the title Sei solo tu (It's just you).

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

Manfred Mann covered the song in 1965 on their Mann Made album.

Little Richard covered the song on 1971's The King of Rock and Roll.

American Pop singer Jordan Pruitt covered the song for second album Permission to Fly.

The Elkie Brooks version of this song is currently being used in a Ford commercial.

Hilary Duff also sang a bit of the song as well in the movie Raise Your Voice.

Eric Donaldson also did a version of this song

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band performed a cover version during their show at the Apollo Theater, New York City, NY, March 9th, 2012.

UB40 cover

"The Way You Do the Things You Do"
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
Label	Virgin Records
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" (1990) "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).

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)

Personnel

• 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

Charts, certifications and sales

Chart (1990)	Peak position
Canadian RPM Top Singles	42
Dutch Mega Top 100	15
French Singles Chart	11
German Singles Chart	53
Irish Singles Chart	26
UK Singles Chart	49
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	6
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	21

End of year chart (1991)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	71

Country	Certification	Sales/shipments
France	Silver	151,000