Jimmy Webb - “Do What You Gotta Do” (Clea Anaïs Cover)

This version of “Do What You Gotta Do”, originally composed by legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb, pays tribute to my favourite version sung by Nina Simone. 

When I first proposed this cover, my family and music team expressed skepticism, and I could genuinely understand why, Nina’s shoes are simply too large to fill. 

That being said, February is Black History Month, and this is an opportunity to highlight a Black artist who I grew up listening to who inspired me deeply. As a child I was immediately moved by her voice, not just her technical ability and range, but the conviction and emotion she imbued in often carefully chosen words. With time, I learned her music was a conduit to expressing the injustices she faced and witnessed throughout her life. I genuinely encourage you to take a moment to learn about Nina Simone, read a biography, listen to an album. You will not be disappointed. 

Just in time for Valentine's Day, “Do What You Gotta Do” is a song about heartbreak, love, and hope. These themes which resonate for me, are delivered in a laid back rendition of the tune. Recreating this song was a fun challenge executed at Studio B, with Jarret Mayo and Brock Geiger. 

Clea Anaïs - vocals, cello, mellotron

Brock Geiger- vocals, synths, drums, mellotron

Jarret Mayo- baritone guitar 

Recorded & Mixed at Studio B - Brock Geiger

Mastering - Will Maclellan 

LYRICS

Do what you gotta do

Come on back and see me when you can

Man I can understand how it might be

Kinda hard to love a girl like me

I don't blame you much for wanting to be free

I just wanted you to know

I've loved you better that your own Kin did

From the very start it's my own fault

What happens to my heart

You see I've always known you'd go

So you just do what you gotta do, my wild sweet love

Though it may mean that I'll never kiss

Those sweet lips again, pay that no mind

Find that dappled dream of yours

Come on back and see me when you can

Now I know it'll make you feel sad and make you feel so bad

They say you don't treat me like you should

They got ways to make you feel no good

I guess they got no way to know

I've had my eyes wide open from the start

And man you never lied to me

The part of you that they'll never see

Is the part you've shown to me

So you just do what you gotta do, my wild sweet love

Though it may mean that I'll never kiss

Those sweet lips again, pay that no mind

Find that dappled dream of yours

Come on back and see me when you can

Do what you gotta do

Come on back and see me when you can

Do what you gotta do

Come on back and see me when you can

Fear & Desire

before i enter i collect

what small desire i had left

scattered into corners of the room

overlooked, no longer novel 

before i leave i collect

the remnants of what i had left 

the feelings i once had 

shifting shapes of shared beauty

i take stock now, i always do

habits built from fears of leaving

i don't want to forget

the precious left within my memory

A grey film lines the tv 

dust blown up like a smoke screen

filtering the incessant pitch 

that “the new is naturally better”

but my heart has no eyes

it squeezes its feeling

holds its desire

it runs the divotted path again

the billionth time

in the dark

the heart knows what it wants

even awake it lives in dreams

Neil Young - “Harvest Moon” (Clea Anaïs Cover)

"Harvest Moon" by Neil Young is this week's cover choice because it is so close to Valentine's day. Easy love is evident in the choruses, but the deeper you delve into the verses the more complex the nuances of life changing, releasing the old, and trying to capture the magic of the moment becomes apparent. I love that there is an element of "still trying" and how heroic that is because life and love are not always easy on us. Thank you to Neil Young for the chance to learn and cover the song, and thank YOU for listening!

Michael Kiwanuka COLD LITTLE HEART Cover by Clea Anais (Big Little Lies)

Cold Little Heart by British songwriter Michael Kiwanuka is such a moving song, lyrically and musically, it was what inspired me to try performing a cover in the first place, so thank you to the original artist.

The concert bells were a curious donation by a neighbour, and it was a fun opportunity to try them out.

Independent music grows when listeners share at a grassroots level, so let me know if you forward this, and I will send you a treat! I exist @cleaanais on insta.

Thank you to:

Jarret Mayo - guitar

Janelle Cheyene Watling (Magic Boom) - camera/cool dress,
and for their company in this endeavour.

Clea