A classic brain-child song of Smokey Robinson’s. This song was written on the road, no less, as Smokey as his co-hort made light-hearted exchanges regarding pick-up lines.
The song became a 1964 hit by the Temptations. Written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers of the Miracles, while on the road as part of the Motortown Revue tour. The Temptations also had a number 1 hit with another one of Smokey’s song, My Girl.
In 1989 this song was covered by Red, Red Wine band UB40 in reggae style and rose to Top 5 hit in 1990. Their version of the song has been used on numerous movie sound tracks, starting with the 1990 Ridley Scott/Michael Douglas film Black Rain, and other more contemporary films such as Adam Sandler’s 50 First Dates.
The Way You Do the Things You Do – Robinson and Rogers, 1964
[D]You’ve got a smile so [A] bright
[D] You know you could’ve been a[A] candle
[D] I’m holding you so [A] tight
[D] You know you could’ve been a [A] handle
[E] The way you swept me off my [D] feet
You know you could’ve been a[A] broom
[D] The way you smell so [A] sweet
[D] You know you could’ve been some [A] perfume
–
CHORUS
[A] Well ~ you could’ve [E] been anything
That you [D] wanted to, and I can [E] tell
[D]The way you do the things you [A] do – Oh [D] yeah!
The way you do the things you [A] do
–
As pretty as you are, you know you could’ve been a flower
If good looks were a minute, you know that you could be an hour
The way you stole my heart, you know you could’ve been a crook
And baby, you’re so smart, you know you could’ve been a school book
CHORUS
You made my life so rich, you know you could’ve been some money
And baby, you’re so sweet, you know you could’ve been some honey
CHORUS
[D] You really swept me off my [A] feet, [D] The way you do the things you [A] do
[D] You made my life complete, [D] The way you do the things you [A] do
[D] You made my life so bright, [D] The way you do the things you [A] do
[D] You make me feel all right, [D] The way you do the things you [A] do
The Temptations:
UB40:
Cat's Ukulele Songs 