Takin' It to the Streets (song)

"Takin' It to the Streets"
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album Takin' It to the Streets
B-side"For Someone Special"
ReleasedMarch 17, 1976
Recorded1975
StudioWarner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California
GenrePop, R&B[1]
Length3:56 (album version)
3:36 (Best of the Doobies version)
3:20 (single version)[2]
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Michael McDonald
Producer(s)Ted Templeman
The Doobie Brothers singles chronology
"I Cheat the Hangman"
(1975) 		"Takin' It to the Streets"
(1976) 		"Wheels of Fortune"
(1976)

"Takin' It to the Streets" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers from the album of the same name. It was their first single with Michael McDonald on vocals and was written by McDonald. The song peaked at number 13 in the US and number 7 in Canada.[3]

Reception

Cash Box stated that "both instrumentally and vocally this is the best thing the Doobie Brothers have done to date," adding that "the melody is based around a strong chordal structure" and that the repetition of the song title in the chorus has "maximum hook potential."[4] Record World said that the song "has all the essential qualities that have contributed to making this group a dominating chart force" and that "all these ingredients are wrapped together in an appealing package."[5]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "Takin' It to the Streets" as the Doobie Brothers' 6th greatest song, praising McDonald's "soulful rasp" on the vocal.[6] The staff of Billboard rated it as the Doobie Brothers' 3rd best song, saying that it "hits an elemental theme and drives it home with soulful urgency."[7]

Personnel

Chart performance


Christine Anu and Deni Hines version

"Takin' It to the Streets"
Single by Christine Anu and Deni Hines
ReleasedNovember 15, 2008
Length3:33
LabelHeritage
Songwriter(s)Michael McDonald
Christine Anu singles chronology
"Talk About Love"
(2003) 		"Takin' It to the Streets"
(2008) 		"Come Home"
(2010)
Deni Hines singles chronology
"I Only Have Eyes for You"
(2007) 		"Takin' It to the Streets"
(2008) 		"Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)"
(2012)

In November 2008, Australian singers Christine Anu and Deni Hines recorded and released a version of the song. 50% of net profits of the song went to the Salvation Army's Oasis Youth Support Network and the Everyone Is Homeless Fund. Anu and Hines promoted the single with a tour throughout May and June 2009.[11][12]

Track listing

  1. "Takin It to the Streets" – 3:33
  2. "Nak E Ba Na Na" by Christine Anu – 3:01
  3. "Freedom" by Deni Hines – 3:43

References

  1. ^ "Top 10 Doobie Brothers Songs". 12 February 2013.
  2. ^ "The Doobie Brothers - Takin' It to the Streets".
  3. ^ a b "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  4. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 27, 1976. p. 26. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  5. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. April 3, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  6. ^ Gallucci, Michael (February 12, 2013). "Top 10 Doobie Brothers songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  7. ^ Graff, Gary (November 6, 2020). "The Doobie Brothers' 10 Best Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  8. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 92. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08 1977". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  10. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  11. ^ "CHRISTINE ANU AND DENI HINES TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS". WaterFront Records. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  12. ^ "Christine Anu & Deni Hines Join Forces On One Tour". Girl.com.au. Retrieved June 5, 2016.