What You Won't Do for Love (song)
| "What You Won't Do for Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Bobby Caldwell | ||||
| from the album What You Won't Do for Love | ||||
| Released | 1978 | |||
| Recorded | 1978 | |||
| Genre | Quiet storm | |||
| Length | 4:45 | |||
| Label | TK | |||
| Writer(s) | Bobby Caldwell, Alfons Kettner | |||
| Bobby Caldwell singles chronology | ||||
|
||||
"What You Won't Do for Love" is a popular quiet storm single written by Alfons Kettner along with musician and singer Bobby Caldwell which he recorded for his debut album of the same name, released in 1978 on the TK Records label.
Contents |
[edit] Recording
After gaining a reputation in Miami clubs as a talented musician, TK Records president Henry Stone signed Caldwell to an exclusive contract with TK Records in 1978. Heading to the studio, Caldwell recorded his first album, which was given a redo after Stone felt the album was good but "didn't have a hit". Caldwell returned to the studio and came up with the final product, which included "What You Won't Do for Love".
[edit] Release
Caldwell wanted the song to be the sixth track on the album since he figured the song's second track, "My Flame", which featured him playing guitar, would be the hit. However, TK Records felt confident that "What You Won't Do for Love" would be the breakout hit. When it was released to R&B radio, TK Records did its best to shield Caldwell's identity hoping not to alienate its predominantly black audience. However, when Caldwell began making performances live on stage, it only increased demand. The song would become Caldwell's most successful single and also his signature song reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart.[1]
[edit] Popular culture
- Caldwell's recording of the song was featured in the film Donnie Brasco (1997).
[edit] Covers and samples
Since its release, the song has been often frequently covered by R&B, pop and jazz artists alike and has also been an oft-sampled song in hip-hop and house circles.
- Phyllis Hyman - "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Aaliyah - "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number"
- Alfonzo Blackwell - "Love No Limit"
- Esham - "24/7"
- Goldie - "What You Won't Do For Love (Radio Edit)"
- Goldmine - "Mic Love"
- Go West - "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Guru - "Something in the Past"
- Intro - "What You Won't Do For Love"
- Kool G Rap - "Blowin' up in the World"
- Luniz - "Playa Hata" (Vocal and Audio Sample)
- Mary J. Blige - "Love No Limit"
- Master P - "If I Could Change"
- Max B and French Montana - "Do 4 Drugs"
- Michael Bolton - "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Pride & Politix - "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Tatyana Ali - "Boy You Knock Me Out" (Audio Sample)
- Boyz II Men - "What You Won't Do for Love" featuring MC Lyte from the album Throwback, Vol. 1.
- 2Pac - "Do for Love" (Vocal Sample)
- 2Pac - "Do for Love" (Unreleased Original Version)
- 2Pac - Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find
- 2Pac - What You Won't Do For Love (Unreleased)
- Young Zee - "Everybody Get High"
- Central Avenue featuring Simon Green - "Do for Love"
- The Candy Dealers - "Stepping Out"
- DJ Jazzy Jeff - "My Soul's Not 4 Sale (feat. Raheem DeVaughn)"
- Elliott Yamin sang this as Paula Abdul's song choice on American Idol (Season 5).
- Fuel - "Do 4 Love"
- Chocolat & Akito- "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Roy Ayers - "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Victor Wooten - "What You Won't Do for Love"
- Foesum - "In the Wind"
- Mariah Carey, Da Brat & Elephant Man - "Got a Thing 4 You" [2]
[edit] Chart position of Boyz II Men's cover version
| Year | Song | Hot R&B Singles |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "What You Won't Do for Love" | 60 |
[edit] References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 97.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY4ijbULNhg
 |
This 1970s song-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
