Work to Do

This article is about the song. For the album, see Marc Cohn.

"Work to Do" is a 1972 funk song by the Isley Brothers, released on their T-Neck imprint. The song, written and produced by the group, was issued on their 1972 album, Brother, Brother, Brother, and charted at #51 pop and #11 R&B upon its initial charting.^[1]

"Work to Do"
Label of the 1972 US single
Single by The Isley Brothers
from the album Brother, Brother, Brother
B-side	"Beautiful"
Released	October 15, 1972 (1972-10-15)
Genre	Funk soul
Length	3:11
Label	T-Neck
Songwriter(s)	The Isley Brothers
Producer(s)	The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers singles chronology
"Love the One You're With" (1971) "Work to Do" (1972) "That Lady" (1973)

Lyrically, the song explicates a troubled situation between a man and his girlfriend/wife, concerning the lack of quality time spent with each other. The man pleads that as much as he cannot wait to get home and spend time with her, he has a more pressing obligation/commitment to attend to work.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1972)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[2]	51
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[3]	11

Credits

• Lead vocals – Ronald Isley
• Backing vocals – O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley
• Percussion, guitars – Ernie Isley
• Bass, percussion – Marvin Isley
• Piano, keyboards – Chris Jasper
• Drums – George Moreland
• Congas – Karl Potter

Vanessa Williams version

"Work to Do"
Single by Vanessa Williams
from the album The Comfort Zone
Released	July 22, 1992
Recorded	1991
Studio	Blondahl Studios (Copenhagen, Denmark)[4] Creative Source Studios (Studio City, CA)[5] Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA)[6]
Genre	Soul R&B
Length	4:36
Label	Wing Mercury
Songwriter(s)	O'Kelly Isley, Jr. Ronald Isley Rudolph Isley Andres Titus
Producer(s)	Dr. Jam Gerry Brown Phase 5 Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams singles chronology
"Just for Tonight" (1992) "Work to Do" (1992) "Love Is" (1993)
Music video
"Vanessa Williams - Work To Do" on YouTube

Vanessa Williams recorded the song for her 1991 album The Comfort Zone. In 1992, her version became a Top 5 US Billboard R&B hit at No. 3 and Top 10 US Billboard Dance hit at No. 8. It was her fifth and final single from the album.

Track listings

• US CD maxi-single^[7]

1. "Work to Do" (Radio Mix w/Rap) – 3:54
2. "Work to Do" (Super Dope Remix w/Rap) – 4:52
3. "Work to Do" (Ken Lou Radio Mix)" – 3:07
4. "Work to Do" (Choice Club) – 6:02
5. "Work to Do" (Choice Dub) – 2:30
6. "Work to Do" (5-Oh Beats w/Rap) – 2:53

• UK CD maxi-single^[8]

1. "Work to Do" (7" Mix) – 3:54
2. "Work to Do" (Ken Lou 7" Mix With Rap) – 3:54
3. "Work to Do" (Choice Club)" – 6:02

Remixed by Kenny "Dope" Gonzales and "Little" Louie Vega

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	52
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10]	3
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[11]	8
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[12]	4
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[13]	24

Credits

• Lead vocals – Vanessa Williams
• Guitar – Ira Siege
• Backing Vocals – Táta Vega
• Rap vocals – Dres
• Piano – Jorgen Kaufma
• Producer – Dr. Jam, Gerry Brown, Phase 5
• Remix producer – Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, "Little" Louie Vega

Other cover versions

• Average White Band in 1974 from their album AWB, the single peaked to No. 10 on US Billboard's Disco chart.