#9: Bobby Caldwell, What You Won’t Do (Do for Love)
I guess you wondered where I’ve been/
I searched to find the love within/
I came back to let you know/
Gotta thing for you, and I can’t let go/
This will probably be my favorite segment on my blog in a very long time! Welcome to Opening Lyrics to Songs That I Love!
“What You Won’t Do for Love” is a hit song by American singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell.
The song was released in September 1978 as the lead single from his debut album, also titled Bobby Caldwell. Bobby Caldwell co-wrote the song with Alfons Kettner. It’s considered a classic example of smooth soul and “blue-eyed soul”. It incorporates elements of jazz fusion and R&B.
The song was incredibly successful, becoming Caldwell’s signature song. It reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.
It peaked at number six on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. It reached number ten on the Easy Listening chart. The song became a long-lasting standard and a career-defining hit for Caldwell.
It’s been covered and sampled many times by other artists, including Tupac Shakur’s posthumous 1998 hit “Do for Love”. -Google Gemini AI Mode via Wikipedia
I was nineteen years old when I found out Bobby was not Black. I am forty-five years old now, and I am forever changed by this man and this song. He had a sound that was incredibly distinctive and overwhelmingly soulful. He was one of those singers I refer to as a crooner.
His melodious riffs and perfect inflections will draw you in. It is my belief that he had a ton more hits inside him. However, he passed away in March 2023 — far too soon.
Bobby was openly embraced, admired, and loved on by the Black community. The song could be heard at many family functions, cookouts, and was often part of wedding playlists. I’ve even skated to it in various skating rinks over the years. It’s an all-time classic.
He was a man who had a hurdle to get over in the music industry regarding his race and being linked to his record label, TK Records. We live to love Bobby Caldwell and appreciate his creativity and personal spin on several songs that connect human beings in love, falling out of love, and trying to hold onto love.
He will continue to be missed, but his music, especially this song, lives on.
For one more Sunday, I’ll share with you my favorite opening lyrics to songs I truly love. Maybe you’ll enjoy it. Maybe you won’t. Perhaps you’ll share your favorite opening lyrics to songs you love as well. Perhaps you won’t. Either way, we’re going to have a good damn time.
See you next week!
A Cornered Gurl 
You must be logged in to post a comment.