Introduction and Short Summary of the Song
“That’s What You Do to Me” is an energetic and playful track recorded by The Everly Brothers, featured on their 1960 Warner Bros. debut album It’s Everly Time. Written by Don Everly, the song reflects the duo’s talent for blending rock and roll excitement with country-influenced harmonies. Unlike their heartbreaking ballads such as “So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)” or “Sleepless Nights,” this song brims with joy, humor, and lighthearted affection. With its upbeat rhythm, witty lyrics, and polished harmonies, the track highlights the Everlys’ ability to tackle love from both serious and playful angles.
Origins of the Song
The Everly Brothers had recently moved from Cadence Records to Warner Bros. in 1960, a transition that allowed them more creative freedom and stronger financial backing. Don Everly’s songwriting was increasingly central to the duo’s catalog, and “That’s What You Do to Me” showcased his knack for crafting clever, upbeat love songs that appealed to the teenage audience of the era.
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The song appeared on It’s Everly Time, one of the duo’s strongest albums. The record balanced heartfelt ballads with high-energy tracks, and “That’s What You Do to Me” fell into the latter category, serving as one of the record’s brighter moments. Its inclusion demonstrated Don’s ability to contribute original material that fit seamlessly alongside songs from top outside writers.
Why The Everly Brothers Released “That’s What You Do to Me”
The Everly Brothers included “That’s What You Do to Me” to maintain the sense of fun and variety in It’s Everly Time. While they were celebrated for their heartbreaking ballads, they also needed lighthearted tracks that captured the exuberance of teenage love.
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By featuring the song on the album, the brothers also reinforced Don’s credentials as a songwriter. It showed audiences and critics alike that they were not entirely reliant on the Bryants or other professional writers for their hits—they were capable of generating infectious, memorable songs from within their own ranks.
The Message Conveyed in the Song
At its heart, “That’s What You Do to Me” is about the giddy joy and humorous frustration of being in love.
Key themes include:
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Playful Exasperation: The narrator describes the way love makes him act foolishly, yet joyfully.
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Youthful Romance: The lyrics capture the excitement of teenage relationships, where emotions feel overwhelming and larger than life.
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Humor and Relatability: The narrator pokes fun at himself, creating a relatable portrait of someone caught up in love’s spell.
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Celebration of Love: Despite the playful complaints, the song ultimately celebrates the transformative power of romance.
The message resonates through its humor and lightheartedness, making it one of the more charming tracks in the Everlys’ catalog.
The Recording and Musical Characteristics
The recording of “That’s What You Do to Me” is upbeat and infectious, with a lively tempo that underscores its playful message.
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Vocals: Don and Phil’s harmonies are sharp and enthusiastic, perfectly suited to the humor and energy of the song.
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Instrumentation: Jangling guitars, steady percussion, and bass create a rhythmic drive that keeps the track bouncy and fun.
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Mood: Lighthearted, playful, and joyful.
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Style: A mix of rockabilly and pop, with touches of country flavor, characteristic of the Everlys’ unique crossover appeal.
The lively arrangement ensures the song feels accessible and danceable, appealing to the youth market of the time.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
Commercially, “That’s What You Do to Me” was not released as a single, so it did not chart independently. However, within It’s Everly Time, it played a crucial role in showcasing the variety of moods and styles that the Everlys could handle. The song added balance to the album, ensuring that listeners experienced not only melancholy but also joy and humor.
Culturally, the track contributed to the Everly Brothers’ image as relatable and versatile performers. At a time when rock and roll was often criticized as shallow, the Everlys proved they could handle both depth and levity, making them appealing to a broad audience.
Legacy of “That’s What You Do to Me”
Today, “That’s What You Do to Me” is remembered as one of the delightful hidden gems from It’s Everly Time. While it never achieved the fame of singles like “Cathy’s Clown” or “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” it demonstrates the Everlys’ ability to inject charm and humor into their music without sacrificing their artistry.
For their legacy, the song underscores Don Everly’s strengths as a songwriter and the brothers’ gift for harmonizing across moods and genres. It shows that their catalog was not limited to chart-topping hits but also filled with album tracks that showcased their range and versatility.
More broadly, the track endures because its themes of youthful romance and playful exasperation are timeless. Listeners across generations can relate to the giddy, humorous feelings of love, and the Everlys’ performance ensures that the song remains fresh and engaging.
Decades later, “That’s What You Do to Me” stands as a joyful reminder of The Everly Brothers’ lighter side, proving that their artistry encompassed not only sorrow and longing but also humor, fun, and celebration.