B-side "Rather Hazy" Recorded 1999 | Format CD
12" Length 4:59 | |
Released June 24, 1999 (1999-06-24) Genre Neo soul
alternative hip hop | ||
"Do Something" is a song by American singer Macy Gray from her debut studio album, On How Life Is (1999). It was released on June 24, 1999 as the album's lead single.
Contents
Composition
The song samples OutKast's 1994 song "Git Up, Git Out" and Nice & Smooth's 1989 song "Funky for You".
Release
"Do Something" was released as a CD single in the UK. The CD single contained remixes of "Do Something", including collaborators such as Cee-Lo of Goodie Mob along with a non-album track, "Rather Hazy". In the United Kingdom, "Do Something" became Gray's first charting hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 51, though it remains her lowest-charting single there to date. "Do Something" failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 but managed to peak at number 43 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart; it also entered the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, peaking at number 63.
Media usage
"Do Something" was used in an MTV Europe commercial advertising summer festivals throughout Europe in 1999. The song was also used in the 1999 film "Music of the Heart", and in an episode of music game show "Idol".
Music video
The music video for "Do Something" was directed by Mark Romanek, who had previously directed music videos for Fiona Apple and Michael Jackson. Released in 1999, the video depicts Gray in an all-white home, and surreal footage of people in the wilderness.
Accolades
The music video was nominated for two awards at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. It was nominated for "Best Art Direction in a Video," losing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Californication". It won the award for "Best Cinematography in a Video".
Track listings
- "Do Something" (Radio Edit) – 4:10
- "Rather Hazy" – 3:10
- "Do Something" (Organized Noize Mix featuring Cee-Lo) – 3:53