It's What I Do
Encyclopedia
It's What I Do is the title of the fifth studio album released by American country music
artist Billy Dean
. It was his first album since Men'll Be Boys two years previous. This was also his first release for Capitol Records
Nashville, as the Nashville division of Liberty Records
had been merged into Capitol. The album produced three singles: the title track at #5, followed by "That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me" at #4 and "I Wouldn't Be a Man" at #45. (The latter was originally a Top Ten country hit for Don Williams
, in 1987.) The album also reunited him with Tom Shapiro
, who had co-produced his first two albums.
strings performed by Carl Marsh, arranged by Carl Marsh and Tom Shapiro.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Billy Dean
Billy Dean
William Harold "Billy" Dean, Jr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search...
. It was his first album since Men'll Be Boys two years previous. This was also his first release for Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
Nashville, as the Nashville division of Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
had been merged into Capitol. The album produced three singles: the title track at #5, followed by "That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me" at #4 and "I Wouldn't Be a Man" at #45. (The latter was originally a Top Ten country hit for Don Williams
Don Williams
Don Williams , is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971,...
, in 1987.) The album also reunited him with Tom Shapiro
Tom Shapiro
Tom Shapiro is an American songwriter and occasional record producer, known primarily for his work in country music. To date, he holds four Country Songwriter of the Year awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated, as well as the Songwriter of the Decade award from the Nashville Songwriters...
, who had co-produced his first two albums.
Track listing
- "It's What I DoIt's What I Do (song)"It's What I Do" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Chuck Jones, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released in January 1996 as the first single from his fifth studio album, 1996's It's What I Do...
" (Tom ShapiroTom ShapiroTom Shapiro is an American songwriter and occasional record producer, known primarily for his work in country music. To date, he holds four Country Songwriter of the Year awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated, as well as the Songwriter of the Decade award from the Nashville Songwriters...
, Chuck Jones) – 3:22 - "That Girl's Been Spyin' on MeThat Girl's Been Spyin' on Me"That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Max T. Barnes, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released in June 1996 as the first single from his fifth studio album, 1996's It's What I Do...
" (Shapiro, Max T. BarnesMax T. BarnesMax T. Barnes is a country music singer, songwriter, studio musician, and producer. He is the son of songwriter Max D. Barnes. He has written songs on albums that have sold over 20 million records. He currently writes for Ray Stevens Music publishing and lives in Hendersonville,...
) – 3:44 - "In the Name of Love" (Skip EwingSkip EwingDonald Ralph "Skip" Ewing is an American country music singer and songwriter. Active since 1988, Ewing has recorded nine studio albums, and has charted fifteen singles on the Billboard country charts.-Career:...
, Doug Stone) – 3:39 - "Down to Your Last One More" (Gary BurrGary BurrGary Burr, born in Meriden, Connecticut, is an American musician and songwriter and producer, mostly known for his stable of hits recorded by country music performers. Burr began his career as a member of the group Pure Prairie League from 1982 to 1985, taking over after Vince Gill departed the group...
) – 3:13 - "I Wouldn't Be a ManI Wouldn't Be a Man"I Wouldn't Be a Man" is the title of a song written by Mike Reid and Rory Michael Bourke. Originally recorded by Don Williams, it has also been released as a single by Billy Dean, and covered by Josh Turner...
" (Mike Reid, Rory Michael BourkeRory Michael BourkeRory Michael Bourke is a country music songwriter born July 14, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio.Bourke moved to Nashville in 1964 and worked for a period in the promotional department of Mercury Records....
)– 4:24 - "When Our Backs Are Against the Wall" (Billy Dean, Tim NicholsTim NicholsTim Nichols Tim Nichols Tim Nichols (born in Portsmouth, Virginia is an American country music singer and songwriter. Active since the late 1980s, Nichols has written for several country music singers, including Keith Whitley, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, and Alan Jackson...
) – 4:01 - "Play Something We Can Dance To" (Dean, Dennis MorganDennis Morgan (songwriter)Dennis Morgan is a songwriter and music publisher, best known for writing songs for Aretha Franklin, Faith Hill, Barbara Mandrell, and Eric Clapton. He has also published hit songs by Garth Brooks, All-4-One, Feargal Sharkey, and Trisha Yearwood.Morgan's career as a songwriter started as a session...
) – 4:04 - "The Mountain Moved" (Bob Regan, George Teren) – 2:53
- "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time" (KostasKostasKostas Lazarides is a Greek-born American country music songwriter, known professionally as Kostas. He has written for several country music artists, including Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, and Travis Tritt, and has won eleven awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated...
, Bobby Boyd, Don Mealer) – 3:14 - "Leavin' Line" (Pam RosePam RosePam Rose is an American country music songwriter. In her career, she has been a member of the groups Calamity Jane and Kennedy Rose, both times pairing with fellow songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy. Rose's co-writing credits include the Grammy Award-nominated songs "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands"...
, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pat Bunch) – 4:41
Personnel
SynthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
strings performed by Carl Marsh, arranged by Carl Marsh and Tom Shapiro.
Chart performance
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 18 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 143 |