Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

Work to Do

"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.

Last revised
Jun 11, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
624 w
Citations
14
Source
Wikipedia ↗
"Work to Do"
Label of the 1972 US single
Single by The Isley Brothers
from the album Brother, Brother, Brother
B-side"Beautiful"
ReleasedOctober 15, 1972 (1972-10-15)
Genre
Length3:11
LabelT-Neck
SongwriterThe Isley Brothers
ProducerThe Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers singles chronology
"Pop That Thang"
(1972) 		"Work to Do"
(1972) 		"It's Too Late"
(1973)

"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

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 1002 51
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)3 11

Credits

Vanessa Williams version

"Work to Do"
Single by Vanessa Williams
from the album The Comfort Zone
ReleasedJuly 22, 1992
Recorded1991
Studio
  • Blondahl Studios (Copenhagen, Denmark)4
  • Creative Source Studios (Studio City, CA)5
  • Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA)6
Genre
Length4:36
Label
Songwriters
Producers
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-single7
  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-single8
  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 1009 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 Airplay (Billboard)13 24
US Cash Box Top 10014 43

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
References

References

  1. "Billboard Singles". All Media Guide / Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  2. "Hot 100". Billboard. August 11, 1962 – via Google Books.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 277.
  4. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r21917
  5. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r21917
  6. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r21917
  7. "Vanessa Williams - Work to Do (1992, CD Single)". Discogs. 22 July 1992.
  8. "Vanessa Williams - Work to Do (1992, UK CD)". Discogs. 1992.
  9. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  10. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  11. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  12. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  13. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. "CASH BOX Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending OCTOBER 31, 1992" (PDF). Cash Box.