The Way You Do the Things You Do

Infobox Single
Name = The Way You Do the Things You Do
Artist = The Temptations
from 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 = Smokey Robinson
Robert Rogers
Producer = Smokey Robinson
Chart position =
*#11 (US Pop Singles)
Last single = "Farewell My Love"
(1963)
This single = "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
(1964)
Next single = "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.

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.

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.

Credits

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

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).

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

American Pop/R&B singer Jordan Pruitt is covering the song for her upcoming second album "Permission To Fly".

UB40 cover

Infobox Single
Name = The Way You Do the Things You Do


Cover size =
Border =
Caption =
Artist = UB40
Album = Labour of Love II
A-side =
B-side =
Released = 1989
July 1990 France
Format = CD single
CD maxi
7" single
Recorded = 1989
Genre = Reggae
Length = 3:03
Label =
Writer = Smokey Robinson
Robert Rogers
Producer = UB40
Audio sample? =
Certification = Silver France, 1991
Last single = "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)"
(1989)
This single = "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
(1993)
Next single = "Groovin"
(1991)
Misc =

"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
# "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:03)
# "Splugen" (4:41)

; CD-Single
# "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:03)
# "Splugen" (4:41)

; CD-Maxi
# "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (Jazzy Club Mix) (6:11)
# "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (Paradise Mix) (4:07)
# "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (3:00)
# "Splugen" (4:42)

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

Charts, certifications and sales

References