Do Something (Macy Gray song)

Last updated

"Do Something"
Macy Gray - Do Something (CD 1).jpg
Single by Macy Gray
from the album On How Life Is
B-side "Rather Hazy"
ReleasedJune 21, 1999 (1999-06-21)
Recorded1998
Length4:59
Label Epic
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s) Macy Gray
Producer(s) Andrew Slater
Macy Gray singles chronology
"Do Something"
(1999)
"I Try"
(1999)
Music video
"Do Something" on YouTube

"Do Something" is a song by American singer Macy Gray from her debut studio album, On How Life Is (1999). It was released on June 21, 1999, as the album's lead single.

Contents

Composition

The song samples OutKast's 1994 song "Git Up, Git Out" and Nice & Smooth's 1989 song "Funky for You". [1]

Release

"Do Something" was released as two CD singles and a cassette single in the United Kingdom on June 21, 1999. [2] One CD single contains remixes of "Do Something", including collaborators such as Cee-Lo of Goodie Mob along with a non-album track, "Rather Hazy". "Do Something" peaked at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart, her lowest-charting single on the chart to date. [3] In the United States, the song failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at number 43 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and number 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [4] [5]

Music video

The music video for "Do Something" was directed by Mark Romanek, [6] who had previously directed music videos for Fiona Apple and Michael Jackson. [7] Released in 1999, the video depicts Gray in an all-white home, and surreal footage of people in the wilderness. [8]

Accolades

Gray was nominated at the 42nd Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The music video was nominated for two awards at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Nigel Phelps was nominated for Best Art Direction in a Video, losing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Californication". It won the award for Best Cinematography in a Video. [9]

Track listing

  1. "Do Something" (Radio Edit) – 4:10
  2. "Rather Hazy" – 3:10
  3. "Do Something" (Organized Noize Mix featuring Cee-Lo) – 3:53

Charts

Chart (1999–2000)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [10] 103
Europe (European Radio Top 50) [11] 32
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [12] 35
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [13] 75
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [14] 32
Scotland (OCC) [15] 68
UK Singles (OCC) [3] 51
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [16] 9
US Dance Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [4] 43
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [5] 63

Release history

RegionVersionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United States"Do Something"January 1999Promotional 12-inch vinyl Epic [17]
United KingdomJune 21, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
[2]
United StatesJune 28, 1999 Urban radio [17] [18]
June 29, 1999 Rhythmic contemporary radio [19]
Japan"I Try" / "Do Something"July 23, 1999CD [20]

Media usage

"Do Something" was used in an MTV Europe commercial advertising summer festivals throughout Europe in 1999. The song was also used in the 1999 film Music of the Heart , and in an episode of music game show Idol. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macy Gray</span> American singer (born 1967)

Natalie Renée McIntyre, known by her stage name Macy Gray, is an American R&B and soul singer and actress. She is known for her distinctive raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Closer (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> Song by Nine Inch Nails

"Closer" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released as the second single on their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994). Released in May 1994, it is considered one of Nine Inch Nails' signature songs and remains their most popular song. Most versions of the single are titled "Closer to God", a rare example in music of a single's title differing from the title of its A-side. The single is the ninth official Nine Inch Nails release, making it "Halo 9" in the band's official Halo numbering system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speed of Sound (song)</span> 2005 song by Coldplay

"Speed of Sound" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their third studio album, X&Y (2005). Constructed around a piano and guitar riff, the song builds into a huge, synthesiser-heavy chorus. It was released by Parlophone Records as the lead single from the album. "Speed of Sound" made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Lamacq on 19 April, then was serviced to US radio on 18 April 2005. The song was released physically in Japan on 11 May with two B-sides: "Things I Don't Understand" and "Proof". In the United Kingdom, the single was issued on 23 May 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Will Never Do (Without You)</span> 1990 single by Janet Jackson

"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson and was composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Janet recorded the song for her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). It was released as the seventh commercial single from the album by A&M Records on October 2, 1990. In 1991 it topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, becoming the fifth number-one hit of her career and the fourth number-one single from Rhythm Nation 1814. On both the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Dance Club Songs charts, the single peaked in the top five. It also peaked within the top 40 in several countries. It is certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of 500,000 units in the US alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Love You (Mario song)</span> 2004 single by Mario

"Let Me Love You" is a song by American singer Mario, released as a single on October 4, 2004, from his second studio album, Turning Point (2004). The song was written by Ne-Yo, Kameron Houff, and Scott Storch, while the production was handled by Storch. The song garnered Mario a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2006 and became a top-10 hit worldwide, reaching number one in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Request + Line</span> 2001 single by The Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray

"Request + Line" is a song recorded by American group Black Eyed Peas for their second studio album Bridging the Gap (2000). The song features vocals from Macy Gray. It was released as the third and final single from Bridging the Gap on January 30, 2001, by Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hella Good</span> 2002 single by No Doubt

"Hella Good" is a song by American rock band No Doubt from their fifth studio album, Rock Steady (2001). Written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and the Neptunes, and produced by Nellee Hooper and the band, "Hella Good" was released as the album's second single on March 11, 2002, and received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who made comparisons to the work of a diverse range of artists such as Afrika Bambaataa and Madonna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)</span> 1995 promotional single by Nine Inch Nails

"Hurt" is a song by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from its second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994), written by Trent Reznor. It was released on April 17, 1995, as a promotional single from the album. The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song in 1996. In 2020, Kerrang and Billboard ranked the song number two and number three, respectively, on their lists of the greatest Nine Inch Nails songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got 'til It's Gone</span> 1997 single by Janet Jackson

"Got 'til It's Gone" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson, featuring American rapper Q-Tip and Canadian singer Joni Mitchell, from her sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope (1997). It was written by Jackson, Jam and Lewis, with additional writing by René Elizondo Jr., Mitchell, and Kamaal Ibn Fareed. The song was produced by Jackson, Jam and Lewis. It was released as the lead single from The Velvet Rope in 1997, by Virgin Records. The song was recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios in Edina, Minnesota. For "Got 'til It's Gone", Jackson opted for a less polished sound which resulted in an authentic blend of R&B, pop, and hip hop with traces of reggae influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Try</span> 1999 single by Macy Gray

"I Try" is a song co-written and performed by American musician Macy Gray. Issued as the second single from her debut album, On How Life Is (1999), the song was first released in Japan as a double A-side with "Do Something" on July 23, 1999. Later that year, on September 27, it received its first solo release in the United Kingdom. "I Try" is Gray's most successful single, peaking at number six in the United Kingdom, number five in the United States, number two in Canada, and number one in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. At the 2001 Grammy Awards, "I Try" won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy (Gnarls Barkley song)</span> 2006 single by Gnarls Barkley

"Crazy" is the debut single of American soul duo Gnarls Barkley, taken from their 2006 debut album, St. Elsewhere. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and several other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avril Lavigne discography</span> Cataloguing of published recordings by Avril Lavigne

Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne has released seven studio albums, nine extended plays (EPs), 33 singles, and 40 music videos, and she has appeared on several movie soundtracks and charity albums. With worldwide sales of 40 million albums and 50 million singles, Lavigne is ranked as the third top-selling Canadian female artist in history. Billboard listed her as the eighth best-selling Canadian artists of the Nielsen Music Canada era. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Lavigne has sold 28.07 million albums and singles in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual Revolution (song)</span> 2001 single by Macy Gray

"Sexual Revolution" is a song by American singer Macy Gray from her second studio album, The Id (2001). It was released on November 26, 2001, as the album's second and final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Baby (Macy Gray song)</span> 2001 single by Macy Gray

"Sweet Baby" is a song by American singer Macy Gray featuring American singer Erykah Badu, released as the lead single from Gray's second studio album, The Id (2001). John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers provides the song's guitars while R&B musician Billy Preston plays the organ. The UK CD and cassette formats contains a previously unreleased track named "Better Where You Are" as a B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Didn't You Call Me</span> 2000 single by Macy Gray

"Why Didn't You Call Me" is a song by American singer Macy Gray from her debut studio album, On How Life Is (1999). It was released on July 24, 2000, as the album's fourth and final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macy Gray discography</span>

American R&B singer Macy Gray has released 10 studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, 32 singles, seven promotional singles, and 21 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crack a Bottle</span> 2009 single by Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent

"Crack a Bottle" is a song by American rappers Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. The song was released as the lead single from the former's sixth studio album Relapse (2009). On February 12, 2009, the song broke the first week digital sales record with 418,000 downloads, topping the previous record held by "Live Your Life" by T.I. featuring Rihanna. This record was broken again the following week by "Right Round" by Flo Rida. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otis (song)</span> 2011 single by Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Otis Redding

"Otis" is a song by American hip hop artists Jay-Z and Kanye West from their first collaborative album Watch the Throne (2011). The song posthumously features soul singer Otis Redding, whose version of "Try a Little Tenderness" is sampled in the song. The production was covered solely by West. The track was premiered by Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show and was released onto the Internet the day afterward. Lyrically, the song has the two rappers sharing lines discussing wealth, decadence and fame. The track received highly positive reviews from music critics who praised the trading off of verses by the two rappers and the Redding-sampled beat, which was compared to the style heard on West's The College Dropout. Several publications placed the song amongst the best of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say Something (Justin Timberlake song)</span> 2018 single by Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton

"Say Something" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake featuring vocals by fellow American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton. It was released on January 25, 2018, as the third single from his fifth studio album Man of the Woods (2018) along with its music video. The song was written and produced by Timberlake, Larrance Dopson, Floyd Nathaniel Hills, and Timbaland, with additional songwriting by Stapleton. It debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Timberlake's 19th top 10 single as a solo artist and Stapleton's first. It also reached number one in Slovakia and Slovenia and the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio on February 13, 2018. A live version of the song was released on March 31. "Say Something" received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do We Have a Problem?</span> 2022 single by Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby

"Do We Have a Problem?" is a song by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj and American rapper Lil Baby. It was released on February 4, 2022. The music video runs nine minutes long and is inspired by the 2010 movie Salt. In the United States, the song debuted and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, it reached number three in South Africa, and 14 in Canada. It was included on Minaj's first greatest hits album, Queen Radio: Volume 1 (2022).

References

  1. "On How Life Is" album booklet
  2. 1 2 "New Releases – For Week Starting 21 June, 1999: Singles". Music Week . June 19, 1999. p. 27.
  3. 1 2 "Macy Gray: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Macy Gray Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Macy Gray Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  6. "Do Something (1999) by Macy Gray". IMVDb. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  7. "Mark Romanek overview". IMVDb. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  8. "Official Music Video". YouTube. Epic Records. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  9. 2000 MTV Video Music Awards Award Ceremony
  10. "Chartifacts!" (PDF). The ARIA Report (572): 1. February 12, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2020 via National Library of Australia.
  11. "European Radio Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 28. July 10, 1999. p. 20. OCLC   29800226 via World Radio History.
  12. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Macy Gray" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  13. "Macy Gray – Do Something" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  14. "Macy Gray – Do Something". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  16. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  17. 1 2 Flick, Larry (July 3, 1999). "Macy Gray's 'Life' Is Set to Debut". Billboard . Vol. 111, no. 27. pp. 14, 19.
  18. "AddVance Notice". Radio & Records . No. 1305. June 25, 1999. p. 63.
  19. "CHR/Rhythmic: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1305. June 25, 1999. p. 54.
  20. "メイシー・グレイ" [Macy Gray]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  21. "Macy Gray". IMDb. Retrieved March 7, 2017.