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Baby Don't You Do It
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Wikipedia article
"'Baby Don't You Do It'" is a 1964 single by American singer Marvin Gaye. Released on the Tamla label, this song discusses a man who is at a standstill with his girlfriend, who he feels is neglecting his love stating "Don't break my heart/...I've tried to do my best".
Featured on the HollandDozierHolland-written and produced track, for the first time on a Marvin Gaye record, were Motown's top session girl group, the Andantes. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes, but eventually reassigned to Marvin Gaye to record.
In October 1964 Gaye's single peaked at number 27 on both the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and the Top 100 singles chart in 'Cashbox', with 'Cashbox' affording the single a number 14 peak on its R&B chart ('Billboard' was not maintaining an R&B chart at this time).
'Billboard' stated that "it's that powerhouse beat that can't be beat." 'Cash Box' described it as "an electrifying pleader that rocks along in sensational vocal and instrumental fashion."
Personnel
*Lead vocals by Marvin Gaye
*Background vocals by the Andantes: Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hicks and Louvain Demps
*Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
**Baritone saxophone by Mike Terry
The Band versions
The Band recorded the song numerous times under the title "Don't Do It". The lead singer was Levon Helm, with backing vocals by Rick Danko and Richard Manuel. Different versions, both studio and live, appear on several of their albums and box sets, including the 1972 live release 'Rock of Ages'. "Don't Do It" was the encore performed by The Band in Martin Scorsese's 1976 concert film 'The Last Waltz', though it was featured first in the film. Although it was not included on the 1978 soundtrack album, the track was included in the 2002 box set edition of 'The Last Waltz' soundtrack.
The version of "Don't Do It" from 'Rock of Ages' was issued as a single, reaching #34 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in the autumn of 1972; the track was the second - following "Up on Cripple Creek" - and final Top 40 single for the Band. 'Billboard' called this version a "dynamite dance treatment."
The Who versions
The Who recorded several versions of "Baby Don't You Do It". The first version released was recorded live in San Francisco and released as the b-side to "Join Together" in June 1972. The group had previously played the song in their live performances circa 196465, and a studio recording from that time was later released on the 1998 remastered CD of 'Odds & Sods'.
The Who also performed a studio recording of the song on March 16, 1971 at The Record Plant in New York. This version became first available on the 1995 Reissue of 'Who's Next' and featured Leslie West on lead guitar, but was edited to 5:13.'Who's Next' 1995 Reissue Liner Notes Page 20 The full version (8:21) of the song became available on the 'Who's Next' Deluxe Edition. During the sixth season of 'That '70s Show' when the show's episodes were all named after recordings by The Who, the March 3, 2004 broadcast was entitled "Baby Don't You Do It".
References
Category:1964 singles
Category:Marvin Gaye songs
Category:MCA Records singles
Category:The Band songs
Category:Nicolette Larson songs
Category:Songs written by HollandDozierHolland
Category:The Who songs
Category:1964 songs
Category:1972 singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Lamont Dozier
Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Holland
Category:Song recordings produced by Glyn Johns
Category:Tamla Records singles
Category:Track Records singles
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