Do You Wanna Make Love

Album: Pete McCann (1977)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Many people thought this was a prurient song about a one-night stand, but it goes deeper, exploring the difference between meaningless sex and consequential lovemaking, with the singer hoping for the latter.

    McCann got the idea after having a conversation with a friend at the famous Los Angeles music spot the Troubadour. The song started with the lines:

    Do you wanna make love
    Or do you just wanna fool around?
  • Peter McCann got a recording contract after Clive Davis at Arista Records heard his demo of "Right Time Of The Night" and had Jennifer Warnes record it. Arista passed on McCann as an artist, but when that song rose up the charts, it got the attention of 20th Century Records, which signed him and released "Do You Wanna Make Love" as his first single.

    McCann didn't have any more hits, but did write a song called "Take Good Care of My Heart," which Whitney Houston recorded on her first album.
  • When he was young, McCann was in a band called the Repairs, produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, best known for his work with The Rolling Stones.

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 18th 1977, Peter McCann performed "Do You Wanna Make Love" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Two months earlier on April 17th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #85; and on July 31st it peaked at #5 (for 2 weeks) and spent 22 weeks on the Top 100 (and for 6 of those 22 weeks it was on the Top 10)
    It was his only Top 100 record...
    As already stated he composed "Right Time of the Night"; which Jennifer Warnes took to #6 (for 2 weeks) earlier in 1977, two weeks before he entered the Top 100 "Right Time of the Night' was its 19th and last week on the chart, at position #52.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.