The Way You Do the Things You Do

"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, debuting at #77 and peaking in the Top 20 at #11.

About the song

Original version

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. It's 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 candle") began as a light-hearted joke between Robinson and Rogers to pas time on the long bus rides. Realizing they had something, they 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.

Related Topics:
Eddie Kendricks - Motortown Revue - 1962 - R&B singles chart

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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. Ruffin would remain a background singer 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 #1 hit, "My Girl".

Related Topics:
January 8 - 1964 - Elbridge Bryant - Jimmy Ruffin - David Ruffin - My Girl

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

Related Topics:
Detroit, Michigan - ''Billboard'' magazine - Otis Williams - David Ruffin

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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 Rita Coolidge and UB40, and a live version (part of a medley with "My Girl") by Hall & Oates featuring David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick. The Coolige, UB40, and Hall & Oates/Ruffin/Kendrick versions were also released as singles.

Related Topics:
Diana Ross & the Supremes - 1968 - Rita Coolidge - UB40 - Hall & Oates

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