It's the Things You Do

"Things You Do" (also released as "It's the Things You Do") is a song by the British boy band Five, released as the fifth single from their debut studio album Five (1998). The song was written by Max Martin, George Shahin, Herbie Crichlow, and members of Five.

Background

Co-writer George Shahin originally released his own version as a single in 1997 titled "The Things You Do", from his album All the Way. Five's version features rewritten lyrics in the first verse and a rap in the second verse, while retaining the pre-chorus and chorus from Shahin's original.

Release

The song was released as a single exclusively in the United States on 27 October 1998, under the Arista label. It charted at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Song Variations

Three official versions of the song exist:

• UK album version – Features rap verses from members Jason "J" Brown and Richard "Abs" Breen with a mellow beat. Appears on the UK version of Five and the group's Greatest Hits album.
• US album version – Remixed by Cutfather & Joe, featuring an alternate rap from Brown (often called the "Coca-Cola Rap" in reference to the lyrics) and a different beat.
• US single version – Used for the music video. It retains the beat of the US album version but removes the rap verses, replacing them with a new verse sung by Scott Robinson.

Music Video

The music video was filmed at the Willow Springs Raceway in California on 23–24 November 1998. It was produced by David Robertson and directed by Nigel Dick, who had previously directed the video for Five's second single "When the Lights Go Out". The video depicts the band entering a race car into a race and taking turns driving, with performance scenes set in the pit area.

Critical Reception

Billboard praised the song as "a tasty slice of the unapologetic, youth-oriented pop fare that's been satisfying a voracious mainstream top 40 audience," noting the influence of pop producers Max Martin and Denniz PoP.

Track Listings

US promotional single:

1. "It's the Things You Do" (Radio Edit without Rap) – 3:25
2. "It's the Things You Do" (Radio Edit with Rap) – 3:25
3. "It's the Things You Do" (Call Out Research Hook) – 0:10

US CD1:

1. "It's the Things You Do" (US Single Remix) – 3:25
2. "Don't You Want It?" – 3:41

US CD2:

1. "It's the Things You Do" (US Single Remix) – 3:25
2. "It's the Things You Do" (Sean & Dave's Extended Mix) – 4:37
3. "Don't You Want It?" – 3:41
4. "Human" (The Five Remix) – 3:55

Charts