"The Things We Do for Love" is a song by English band 10cc, released as a single in 1976. It later featured on the album Deceptive Bends released in 1977 and was the group's first release after the departure of band members Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.
Recording The song originated during the How Dare You! sessions, but was unpopular with Godley and Creme. Eric Stewart recalled, "While we were recording it, Kevin was coming out with some heavy statements like, 'I don't want to do any more crap like this,' after I played 'The Things We Do for Love' to him and Lol."
Reception Record World called it a "well crafted tune with a crisp, pop sound". Cash Box called it a "pop record that combines the best of a strong Beatles influence with solid rock ’n’ roll and the luxuriant harmonies that characterized [10cc's] past efforts".
Track listing UK 7" single A. "The Things We Do for Love" – 3:32 B. "Hot to Trot" – 4:28
Personnel Eric Stewart – lead & backing vocals, electric lead guitar, piano, organ Graham Gouldman – bass, electric & acoustic rhythm guitars, tambourine, handclaps, backing vocals Paul Burgess – drums, tambourine, handclaps, gong
Chart performance The song was a hit in various countries worldwide, reaching No. 1 in Canada, as well as peaking at No. 6 in the UK, No. 5 in Australia, No. 13 in the Netherlands, No. 2 in Ireland and No. 5 in the US, where it reached gold status and became the band's best-selling single.
Weekly charts Chart (1976–1977)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)5Canadian RPM Top Singles1Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary12New Zealand27US Billboard Hot 1005US Cash Box Top 1004US Billboard Adult Contemporary12
Year-end charts Chart (1977)RankAustralia (Kent Music Report)37Canada12US Billboard Hot 10044US Cash Box 11
Certifications
Amy Grant version
"The Things We Do for Love" was covered by Amy Grant for the soundtrack to the 1996 film Mr. Wrong. Her version reached number 24 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. It was a bigger hit in Canada, where it reached number 41 on the Pop singles chart and number 8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It is ranked as the 96th biggest Adult Contemporary hit of 1996.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1996)PeakpositionCanada RPM Adult Contemporary8Canada RPM Top Singles41
Year-end charts Chart (1996)RankUS Billboard Adult Contemporary96
Tina Arena version
Australian singer Tina Arena released her version in November 2014, with money raised going towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Australian department store David Jones used the song in its 2014 Christmas campaign.
Track listing 1-track download "The Things We Do for Love" - 3:08
4-track download "Last Christmas" - 3:59 "The Things We Do for Love" (pop mix) - 3:21 "Only Lonely" - 3:22 "You Set Fire to My Life" (acoustic mix) - 4:22
Charts Chart (2014)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)709 N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the single's peak on the national chart.
Other versions The song was covered in 2007 by American alternative rock band Lazlo Bane for their '70s covers album Guilty Pleasures.
References
External links (10 CC)