Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do for Love Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who wrote the song 'What You Won't Do for Love' by Bobby Caldwell?

   The song 'What You Won't Do for Love' was written by Bobby Caldwell and Alfons Kettner. It was a collaboration that resulted in this soulful track, which became a significant hit in Bobby Caldwell's career.

2. When was 'What You Won't Do for Love' released?

   'What You Won't Do for Love' was released in September 1978. It served as the lead single from Bobby Caldwell's self-titled debut album.

3. How did 'What You Won't Do for Love' perform on the music charts?

   'What You Won't Do for Love' reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart, and number ten on the Easy Listening chart. The song also found success internationally, including reaching number 16 on Canadian pop charts.

4. Why did TK Records initially hide Bobby Caldwell's racial identity?

   TK Records hid Bobby Caldwell's racial identity to avoid alienating their predominantly African American audience. They feared that revealing he was white might affect the reception of his music within the R&B and soul community. However, when Caldwell began performing live, his talent won over audiences regardless of race.

5. Has 'What You Won't Do for Love' been covered by other artists?

   'What You Won't Do for Love' has been covered and sampled by numerous artists across various genres. Notable covers include versions by Phyllis Hyman, Go West, Michael Bolton, and Victor Wooten. Tupac Shakur also famously sampled it in his posthumous hit 'Do for Love'.

6. Was there any special edition of the single released?

   Yes, a heart-shaped pressing of the single was released as a promotional item initially but due to public demand, 50,000 copies were pressed in time for Valentine's Day 1979. This special edition was priced at $7.98—about the price of a full LP album at that time.