IFLTS: 'Do What You Gotta Do,' Roberta Flack

'Do What You Gotta Do,' Roberta Flack
From 1970's 'Chapter Two'

'Do What You Gotta Do' is so clearly a song written for a woman from a woman's perspective -- but it's written by [Jimmy Webb]. The lyrics are brilliant. Every element of the song is fantastic, from Flack's band to the string arrangements and her vocal performance. It's one of the great ballads of the '70s, even if it's quite obscure. The song didn't even appear on a 'Best of Roberta Flack' album, which was released last year. That's shocking because it's one of her greatest tracks and certainly one of the greatest heartbreak songs. I found the LP in a used-record shop. I probably listened to it like ten times that day in my Brooklyn apartment.

Hear the song after the jump.

Jesse Harris is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. Harris recently wrote and recorded the score for Ethan Hawke's film, 'The Hottest State,' and released a new album, 'Feel,' this summer.

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