Doin' It

Album: Mr. Smith (1995)
Charted: 15 9
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of LL Cool J's more overtly sexual songs. "That's one of my favorites, because what's better than doin' it? And the track pounds just like youʻre doing it," he said in Entertainment Weekly.

    Most hit songs about sex are shrouded in metaphor, but there's something to be said for simply stating your intentions. Lascivious R&B had gone mainstream: once Bell Biv Devoe cleared a path with "Do Me," there wasn't much that could shock radio programmers into not playing a song for concern that it was too suggestive. The #1 song of 1994 was "I'll Make Love To You," so LL was simply ratcheting up the lust factor to "Doin' It."
  • LeShaun, who performs the female vocals on this song, does not appear in the video. It is rumored that this was due to her being pregnant at the time, and that it caused a rift between her and LL Cool J. They have since recorded together on other songs. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brian - Edmonton, Canada
  • The album title comes from LL's real name - James Todd Smith.
  • Coming up with a memorable and different hook line in a song about sex isn't easy to do, but LL found one here in "I represent Queens, she was raised out of Brooklyn." The lyric was the perfect combination of street slang and flow, and it was also authentic: LL's parents divorced when he was four, and he was raised by his grandparents in Queens, which he proudly called home.

Comments: 6

  • Link from Livingstone ZambiaHey i like this song it remind of teen way back telling a girl all sweet things about her and you feel been with +
  • Areudown from Massachusetts Love this jam. Ll was the man back in the day.
  • Kwondigy from Do Common KwonWhite fur white bikini bra
  • Dee from AustraliaI absolutely dislike this song immensely.
    Is there no such thing as censorship anymore?

    Should not be allowed to get airplay, in my opinion.
    Gross!
  • Charlie from Vas LegasChuck is incorrect. The song she recorded has no hook. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kCkpRJtHvgk
  • Chuck from Las Vegas, NvLeShaun actually recorded this song first. It had the same beat and hook as doin' it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?