What You Won't Do For Love - Bobby Caldwell (1978)

Published on Mar 11, 2012
"What You Won't Do For Love" was a popular single written by Alfons Kettner along with singer Bobby Caldwell which he recorded for his debut album of the same name, released in 1978 on the Clouds label of TK Records. After gaining a reputation in Miami clubs as a talented musician, TK Records president Henry Stone signed Caldwell to an exclusive contract with TK Records in 1978. 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 single. Caldwell returned to the studio and came up with the final product, which included "What You Won't Do For Love". Caldwell wanted the song to be the sixth track on the album since he figured the song'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 its best to shield Caldwell's identity, hoping not to alienate its predominantly black audience. However, when Caldwell began making performances live on stage, it only increased demand. The song would become Caldwell's most successful single and also his signature song, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. Since its release, the song has been often frequently covered by R&B, pop and jazz artists alike and has also been an often-sampled song in hip-hop and house circles. This channel is dedicated to all the great 'old school' R&B music I grew up with, the stuff that originally made me tap my feet and want to be a DJ. Funk, soul, disco, R&B, dance, hip-hop, pop . . . 60s, 70s, 80s . . . whatever you call it, it's all 'Old School' and it's all here! https://youtu.be/hA2M8-csDDg?list=RDhA2M8-csDDg