The group was formed in Harlem, New York City in 1964 as a trio called the Poets, composed of lead singer Donald McPherson, Luther Simmons, Jr., and Panama-born Tony Silvester. They made their first recordings for Leiber & Stoller's Red Bird label, but soon changed their name to the Insiders and signed with RCA Records. In 1968, after a couple of singles, they changed their name once again, this time permanently, to the Main Ingredient. The name came from a Coke bottle.
They then teamed up with record producer/arranger Bert DeCoteaux. Under his direction, the Main Ingredient reached the R&B Top 30 for the first time in 1970 with "You've Been My Inspiration". A cover of The Impressions' "I'm So Proud" broke the Top 20, and "Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)" went into the Top 10. In 1971, they scored again, with the McPherson-penned black-power anthem "Black Seeds Keep on Growing," but tragedy struck that year. Don McPherson, who had suddenly taken ill with leukemia, died unexpectedly. Stunned, Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons re-grouped with new lead singer Cuba Gooding, Sr., who had served as a backing vocalist on some of their previous recordings and had filled in on tour during McPherson's brief illness.
The Gooding era began auspiciously with the million-selling smash "Everybody Plays the Fool", which hit number two R&B and number three pop to become the group's biggest hit. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in September 1972. The accompanying album, Bitter Sweet, became their first to hit the Top 10 on the R&B album chart; its follow-up, 1973's Afrodisiac, featured several songs written or co-written by Stevie Wonder, although it did not produce any huge successes on the singles charts. They peaked at number eight on the R&B chart in 1974 with "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely", which sold over a million copies,and also reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The track peaked at number twenty-seven in the UK Singles Chart in July 1974, although it was their only chart presence in the UK. In 1975, the group recorded several songs co-written by Leon Ware, including the R&B Top Ten "Rolling Down a Mountainside". By this point, however, Tony Silvester was harboring other ambitions; he released a solo album called Magic Touch that year, and left the group to form a production team with DeCoteaux. The two of them scored a Top 10 Pop and R&B smash with their production of Ben E. King's hit "Supernatural Thing" in 1975.
Silvester was replaced by Carl Tompkins, and Gooding departed for a solo career on Motown in 1977, which produced two albums; Simmons, meanwhile, left the music industry to work as a stockbroker. Gooding, Silvester and Simmons reunited as the Main Ingredient in 1979, and recorded two more albums, 1980's Ready for Love and 1981's I Only Have Eyes for You (the latter featured a minor hit in "Evening of Love"). The trio reunited for a second time in 1986, but their Zakia single "Do Me Right" flopped, and Simmons returned to his day job. He was replaced by Jerome Jackson on the 1989 Polydor album I Just Wanna Love You. In the wake of Aaron Neville's Top Ten revival of "Everybody Plays the Fool", Gooding resumed his solo career and issued his third album in 1993. Silvester and Simmons re-formed the Main Ingredient in 1999 with new lead singer Carlton Blount; this line-up recorded Pure Magic in 2001.
Tony Silvester died after a six-year struggle with multiple myeloma on November 27, 2006, at the age of 65, and original member Luther Simmons retired shortly thereafter. Cuba Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on April 20, 2017. The current line-up of the group consists of Jerome Jackson, and Stanley Alston.
Work to Do
The Main Ingredient Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got so much work to do, work, work
Oh, come on work me baby, come on home, oh
Come on work me baby, oh
I'm taking care of business, baby can't you see
I've gotta make it for you and gotta make it for me
Sometimes it seems boy I'm neglecting you
I got so many things to do
Oh, I, I got work to do
I got work baby
I got a job baby
I got work to do
Said I got work to do
Oh, I'm out here trying to make it
Baby can't you see
It takes a lot of money to make it
Let's talk truthfully
So keep your love light burnin'
Oh, you've gotta have a little faith
You might as well get used to me
Coming home a little late
Oh, I can't wait to get home to you
I got so much work to do,
Work, work, baby, work, work
Oh, I can't wait to get home to you
I got so much work to do,
Work, work, baby, work, work
I got a v-a-n-e-double s-a
She's out to give a scene
We used to eat together
Now it's candlelight tv
But woman, work it out, 'till the job's done
Cause it's not the one to flip on his dip, double or one
So I come to your buns like a frankfurter
Accepted in more circles than a shot putter
I suppose you, I surely support you
'Till the course another fader
You're off to work I can dig it -- later
Oh, I, I got work to do
I got work baby
I got a job sugar
I got work to do
Oh, I can't wait to get home to you
I got so much work to do,
Work, work, baby, work, work
Oh, I can't wait to get home to you
I got so much work to do,
Work, work, baby, work, work
Oh, I can't wait to get home to you
I got so much work to do,
Work, work, baby, work, work
The Main Ingredientβs βWork to Doβ is a song about a man who is committed to his work and takes care of his business, which leaves him with little time to dedicate to his lover. He acknowledges that at times, he may be neglecting his significant other, but he is working hard to provide for both of them. The song emphasizes the struggle of balancing personal and professional lives, the importance of perseverance and dedication, and how love can motivate us to keep going.
The song opens with the singer expressing his eagerness to get back to his significant other and how he has a lot of work to do. He goes on to explain that he is working hard to make a living not only for himself but also for his lover. He admits that he may not have enough time to spend with his significant other, but he hopes that she understands and supports his endeavors.
The second verse confirms this motivation to make ends meet and how it takes a lot of money to make it in todayβs world. He urges his lover to keep the love light burning and to have faith in him no matter how late he comes home. The third verse features a guest verse from rapper Sir Joe Quarterman who raps about his own struggles to balance work and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't wait to get home to you
I'm excited to see you again
I got so much work to do, work, work
I have a lot of responsibilities and tasks that need to be completed
Oh, come on work me baby, come on home, oh
I'm asking for your help and support to get through my busy life
Come on work me baby, oh
I need you to help me accomplish my goals
I'm taking care of business, baby can't you see
I am working hard to provide for us both
I've gotta make it for you and gotta make it for me
I have to work to provide a good life for us
Sometimes it seems boy I'm neglecting you
I'm sorry if I'm not spending enough time with you
Well I'd love to spend more time
I want to be with you more
I got so many things to do
I have many responsibilities and tasks that need to be completed
Oh, I, I got work to do
I am busy and have many responsibilities
I got work baby
I have a lot of tasks to complete
I got a job baby
I have a career to focus on
Said I got work to do
I'm busy with responsibilities
Oh, I'm out here trying to make it
I'm striving to be successful in my career
Baby can't you see
I want you to understand what I'm trying to accomplish
It takes a lot of money to make it
I need to work hard to achieve financial success
Let's talk truthfully
Let's be honest with each other
So keep your love light burnin'
Please continue to love and support me
Oh, you've gotta have a little faith
You need to believe in me
You might as well get used to me
I'm dedicated to my work and career
Coming home a little late
I may not always have the freedom to spend time with you when I want to
I got a v-a-n-e-double s-a
I have a vanessa, who I'm responsible for
She's out to give a scene
Vanessa wants to make a name for herself
We used to eat together
We used to have meals together
Now it's candlelight tv
We no longer have time for meals together
But woman, work it out, 'till the job's done
Please keep working hard until your responsibilities are completed
Cause it's not the one to flip on his dip, double or one
I'm dedicated to my career and won't abandon it
So I come to your buns like a frankfurter
I'm trying to shower you with affection and love
Accepted in more circles than a shot putter
I have support and connections in many areas
I suppose you, I surely support you
I believe in you and your potential
'Till the course another fader
Until circumstances change
You're off to work I can dig it -- later
You have to go to work, I'll see you when you get back
Oh, I got work to do, work, work baby, work, work
I have responsibilities and tasks that need to be completed
Oh, I can't wait to get home to you
I'm looking forward to seeing you
I got so much work to do, work, work baby, work, work
I have many responsibilities that take up my time
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: O'kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kwame Aboagye
Brother Cuba Gooding, you had a divine voice, you brought us tears, joy and divinities with the Main Ingredient.Your memories will never be forgotten, Brother Cuba Gooding, thanks for the memories.
Jerry Jazzbo
"I've got work to do...work to do...workworkwork..."
Some lines never get old.
Lila & My Dog Scruffy
Still digging this song in 2019!!!!! Now this is what I call music!!
Diane Bliss
This song is done well by everyone who has covered it, but Vanessa Williams' version is my fave.
Ivan Almora
Buen soul de Main Ingredient,uno de mis favoritos en mi juventud "recordar es vivir"...
Mick Parsons
Love this record! For me there is little to tell between this and the AWB version both killers!
dancingnature
Got to listen to the original by the ISLEY Bros
Mick Parsons
@dancingnature know that well also again another good tune
Dup Pyramid
Yeahhhh I got to sample this track... love the beat and the message πͺπΏππΏ
TheRAREGROOVEMAN
THE ISLEY BROTHERS WORK TO DO CHECK THAT OUT AS WELL