What You Won't Do for Love (song)


"What You Won't Do for Love" is a blue-eyed soul-styled song by American singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell. It was released in September 1978 as the lead single from his eponymous debut album, Bobby Caldwell. It was written by Caldwell and Alfons Kettner, and produced by Ann Holloway.

Background and release

After gaining a reputation in Miami clubs as a talented musician, Caldwell was signed to an exclusive contract with TK Records in 1978 by TK Records president Henry Stone. 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". The song's horn arrangement was written and recorded by Miami arranger Mike Lewis. The song is in the key of F-sharp minor.
Caldwell wanted the song to be the sixth track on the album since he figured his debut album'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 their best to hide Caldwell's racial identity, hoping not to alienate their predominantly Black audience. However, when Caldwell began making performances live on stage, demand only increased.

Chart performance

The song would become Caldwell's most successful single and also his signature song, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 6 on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart, and number 10 on the Easy Listening chart.
According to the broadcast of American Top 40 for the week ending February 3, 1979, the week in which the song debuted at No. 38 on the Top 40, a heart-shaped pressing of the single was the most expensive single up to that point. The heart-shaped single was originally released as a promotional item only, but public demand led to 50,000 copies being pressed in time for Valentine's Day 1979 with a retail price of $7.98—about the price of a full LP album at the time.

Personnel

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Covers

Roy Ayers

American Jazz-Funk composer and producer released a version on his 1979 album No Stranger to Love.

charts

Go West

English pop duo Go West recorded a version on their 1992 album Indian Summer that was released as a single.

Weekly charts

;Year-end charts
Chart Rank
Canada Top Singles 100
US Adult Contemporary 54

Boyz II Men

The vocal group Boyz II Men released a cover of the song on their 2004 album Throwback, Vol. 1, featuring rapper MC Lyte.
Chart Peak
position
US Hot R&B Singles 60

Commercial use & samples