Doo Wop (That Thing)

The hip hop and R&B song is a warning from Lauryn Hill to African-American men and women caught in "the struggle". Both the women who "[try to] be a hard rock when they really are a gem", and the men who are "more concerned with his rims, and his Timbs, than his women", are admonished by Hill, who warns them not to allow "that thing" to ruin their lives. The chorus seems to promote egalitarianism between the sexes, but the overall message of the lyrics has been described as conservative.{{Cite web|url=https://archives.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2015/12/15/earworm-weekly-a-closer-look-at-lauryn-hills-doo-wop-that-thing|title=Earworm Weekly: A Closer Look at Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)"|first=Lori|last=Selke|website=SF Weekly|access-date=March 8, 2020}}

In terms of production value, Hill borrows heavily from elements of soul music and doo-wop, lending credence to the song's title. In its official album and single release, several of the song's lyrics are censored, though the original words can be found in the liners.{{Cite web|date=1998|title=The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|url=https://ia600903.us.archive.org/26/items/mbid-4f931a2b-98eb-49bb-94b7-0ec62dcfe644/mbid-4f931a2b-98eb-49bb-94b7-0ec62dcfe644-5356832532.jpg|website=Archive.org}} The only noted semi-official release of the uncensored version is in a 12-inch promo labelled as "(Album Version)" (different from the 5:21 version) at 4 minutes in length.{{Cite web|date=November 1, 2021|title=Is your Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill CD edited? {{!}} Steve Hoffman Music ...|url=https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/is-your-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill-cd-edited.238413/|access-date=November 1, 2021|website=archive.md|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211101040811/https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/is-your-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill-cd-edited.238413/|url-status=dead}}

In the United States, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the tenth song in the chart's history to debut atop the chart.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2022 |first=Callie |last=Ahlgrim |title=Every song in history that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.insider.com/every-no-1-song-debut-billboard-hot-100 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=Insider}} The track became the first single since Debbie Gibson's 1989 single "Lost in Your Eyes" to reach number one in the US, that was written, produced and recorded by one sole woman.{{Cite magazine |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Kate Bush Solely Wrote, Produced & Performs 'Running Up That Hill': How Rare Is That for a Hot 100 Top 10? |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kate-bush-hot-100-sole-writer-producer-performer-hits-1235083731/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} Hill joined Roberta Flack, Linda Goldstein, and Sinéad O'Connor as the only women at the time to solely produce a number one single, and joined the latter three women along with Valerie Simpson and Ellie Greenwich as the sixth woman overall to produce a number one single.{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA102 |title=Hill Tops with 'That Thing' You 'Doo' |last=Bronson |first=Fred |author-link=Fred Bronson |magazine=Billboard |volume=100 |issue=46 |page=102 |date=November 14, 1998}}

It marked the first number one single by a female rapper, as well as the first rap single by a woman to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart;{{Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=November 4, 2020 |title=In Honor of the 30th Anniversary of Rap's First Hot 100 No. 1, A List of Hip-Hop Hot 100 Firsts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/hip-hop-hot-100-firsts-vanilla-ice/ |access-date=November 25, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Cardi B's "Up" Becomes Hot 100 Chart's Highest-Debuting Solo Female Rap Song Since 1998 |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/cardi-bs-up-becomes-hot-100-charts-highest-debuting-solo-female-rap-song-since-1998/ |access-date=May 14, 2021 |website=AllHipHop.com}} Additionally, it was the first and only solo hip hop song to debut at number one,{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2019 |title=7 Rap Songs That Have Debuted at No. 1 on Hot 100 in Billboard History |url=https://southpawer.com/2019/03/21/number-one-debut-rap-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322090510/http://www.southpawer.com/2019/03/21/number-one-debut-rap-songs/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2021 |website=Southpawer}} until "Not Afraid" by Eminem debuted atop the chart in 2010.{{Cite web |title=one37pm |url=https://www.one37pm.com/music/rap-songs-debuted-on-top-billboard/amp |access-date=November 27, 2022 |website=www.one37pm.com}} "Doo Wop (That Thing)" also became the first debut single to enter atop the Hot 100 chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=January 19, 2021 |title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-number-one-hot-100-debut/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |last=Hereford |first=Sharee |date=August 24, 2018 |title=The 7 Ingredients Behind the Success of 'Doo Wop (That Thing)' |url=https://theboombox.com/lauryn-hills-recipe-for-success-behind-doo-wop-that-thing/ |access-date=March 5, 2021 |website=The Boombox}} Furthermore, it became the third rap single by a solo woman to reach the top 10 and was the first solo single by a woman rapper to debut within the top 40.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=August 10, 2011 |title=Nicki Minaj's 'Super Bass': The Biggest Single by Female Rapper in Nearly a Decade |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nicki-minajs-super-bass-the-biggest-single-by-female-rapper-in-nearly-a-1176705/ |access-date=July 9, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite magazine |title=Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1994-06-04/ |date=June 6, 1994}}{{Cite magazine |title=Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1989-04-01/ |date=April 1, 1989}}

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" also peaked atop Billboard{{'}}s Hot Rap Songs chart, making her the first unaccompanied woman artist to top both charts simultaneously, and remained the sole single by an unaccompanied female artist to do so, until it was matched by Cardi B's "Up" in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Cardi B Is First Woman With Consecutive No. 1 Debuts On Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs Chart - NewsOpener |url=https://newsopener.com/music-updates/cardi-b-is-first-woman-with-consecutive-no-1-debuts-on-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511003449/https://newsopener.com/music-updates/cardi-b-is-first-woman-with-consecutive-no-1-debuts-on-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart/ |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021}} The song reached number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, and became the third rap song to cross 40 million listeners on radio; while it also broke the record for the most listeners on radio for a rap song, when it surpassed 46 million listeners on radio.{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GgoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |title=Datu Faison's Rhythm Section |last=Faison |first=Datu |magazine=Billboard |volume=110 |issue=39 |page=28 |date=September 26, 1998}} On the R&B Singles chart, it peaked at number two for three weeks in November 1998. Despite reaching 50 million audience impressions on radio, it was held out of the top spot by "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" by Deborah Cox.{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |title=Datu Faison's Rhythm Section |last=Faison |first=Datu |magazine=Billboard |volume=110 |issue=46 |page=28 |date=November 14, 1998}}

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" remained the only single by a female rapper to debut atop the chart until Nicki Minaj's "Trollz" with 6ix9ine began at number one in 2020.{{Cite web |title=Nicki Minaj Gets Her Second Number One Due to 6ix9ine Collaboration |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/nicki-minaj-female-rapper-tops-billboard-hot-100.html/amp |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=www.okayplayer.com}} While the song remained the only solo release by a woman rapper to debut at number one, until Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl" debuted atop the Hot 100, matching the feat 24 years later.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Ellie |date=August 23, 2022 |title=Nicki Minaj becomes the first solo female rapper to have a single debut at Number One since 1998 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nicki-minaj-becomes-the-first-solo-female-rapper-to-have-a-single-debut-at-number-one-since-1998-3295615 |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=NME}} It stayed at number one for two weeks in November 1998, making Hill the third woman unaccompanied by another artist to do so with a song that debuted at number one, following Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.{{Cite web |last=Ahlgrim |first=Callie |title=Only 23 songs in history have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there — here they all are |url=https://www.insider.com/number-1-song-debuts-lasting-runs-billboard-hot-100 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=Insider}} The song set the record for the longest-running number one by an unaccompanied woman rapper, holding that record for almost 19 years, until it was surpassed by Cardi B's single "Bodak Yellow", which stayed atop the Hot 100 chart for three weeks.{{Cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |date=September 25, 2017 |title=Cardi B's 'Bodak Yellow' Lands Historic Number One on Hot 100 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cardi-bs-bodak-yellow-lands-historic-number-one-on-hot-100-196641/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 1, 2021}}{{Cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |last2=Dailey |first2=Hannah |last3=Saponara |first3=Michael |date=November 21, 2022 |title=A Timeline of Every Major Accolade & Moment in Cardi B's Music Career |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/cardi-b-music-career-timeline/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 25, 2022}}

The song experienced similar success abroad, reaching number one in Iceland, and peaking within the top 10 in various other countries worldwide. In the United Kingdom the song peaked at number three, debuted at number one on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Chart,{{Cite web|title=Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40 {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-hip-hop-and-r-and-b-singles-chart/19980927/114/|access-date=April 30, 2021|website=www.officialcharts.com}} and has been certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. According to Apple Music, it is one of the most streamed songs of the 1990s.

At the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" won two awards: Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070921195020/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=lauryn%20hill&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 Grammy Award Winners]. grammy.com. Retrieved April 24, 2010. The success of "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill established Hill as a success outside of her group, The Fugees. In 1999, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was ranked at number two on The Village Voice{{'}}s Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll, after Fatboy Slim{{'}}s "The Rockafeller Skank".

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" was included at number 359 on the Songs of the Century list by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.{{Cite web |title=CNN.com - Entertainment - Songs of the Century - March 7, 2001 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/07/list.top.365.songs/index.html |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=edition.cnn.com}} NPR listed it as one of the 300 most important songs of the 20th century. The song was named as the 21st greatest hip hop song of all time by BBC, being one of the two only songs by a woman to make the list.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=T. M. |title=The greatest hip-hop songs of all time |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191007-the-greatest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time |access-date=March 6, 2021 |website=www.bbc.com}} In 2018, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" came in at number 13 on the "New American Songbook" list by Slate.{{Cite news |date=October 18, 2018 |title=The New American Songbook |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/culture/2018/10/the-new-american-songbook-the-oldies-of-the-future.html |access-date=July 10, 2023 |issn=1091-2339}} In 2021, the song was ranked number 49 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.{{Cite magazine |date=September 15, 2021 |title=The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 15, 2021}} "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was placed as the top song on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "The 90s: Women Who Rock" Spotify playlist.{{Cite web |title=The 90s: Women Who Rock |url=https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4cBjFulMJDYPkOiXw6OVS9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710122158/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4cBjFulMJDYPkOiXw6OVS9 |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=Spotify}} Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama included the song on her "Day of the Girl" Spotify playlist, in honor of International Day of the Girl.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Victoria|date=October 13, 2015 |title=Michelle Obama's 'Day of the Girl' Playlist Includes Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Janelle Monae & More |url=https://theboombox.com/michelle-obama-day-of-the-girl-playlist-beyonce-lauryn-hill-janelle-monae/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=The Boombox}} XXL placed it among the 60 essential songs from women in hip hop.{{Cite web |last=McNeilly |first=Claudia McNeillyClaudia McNeillyContributing Authors: Claudia |title=60 Essential Songs From Women in Hip-Hop |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/best-songs-women-in-hip-hop/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=XXL Mag|date=March 30, 2020 }} In August 2023, the song was ranked as the third greatest hip hop song of all time by Consequence.{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2023 |title=The 50 Best Hip-Hop Songs of All Time |url=https://consequence.net/2023/08/best-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time/11/ |access-date=November 4, 2023 |language=en-US}} In October 2023, Billboard staff named "Doo Wop (That Thing)" one of the 500 Best Pop Songs of All Time.{{Cite magazine |last1=Werthman |first1=Rania Aniftos, Katie Atkinson, Katie Bain, Anna Chan, Ed Christman, Hannah Dailey, Stephen Daw, Kyle Denis, Frank DiGiacomo, Thom Duffy, Chris Eggertsen, Ingrid Fajardo, Griselda Flores, Josh Glicksman, Quincy Green, Paul Grein, Lyndsey Havens, Rylee Johnston, Becky Kaminsky, Gil Kaufman, Carl Lamarre, Elias Leight, Jason Lipshutz, Joe Lynch, Meghan Mahar, Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Rebecca Milzoff, Taylor Mims, Gail Mitchell, Melinda Newman, Jessica Nicholson, Danielle Pascual, Glenn Peoples, Isabela Raygoza, Eric Renner Brown, Kristin Robinson, Dan Rys, Marc Schneider, Andrew Unterberger, Christine |last2=Aniftos |first2=Rania |last3=Atkinson |first3=Katie |last4=Bain |first4=Katie |last5=Chan |first5=Anna |last6=Christman |first6=Ed |last7=Dailey |first7=Hannah |last8=Daw |first8=Stephen |last9=Denis |first9=Kyle |date=October 19, 2023 |title=The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-pop-songs-all-time-hits/ |access-date=November 3, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

In 2001, the song's accompanying music video was placed at number 71 on the VH1 list of the '100 Greatest Videos'.{{Cite web |title=Rock On The Net: VH1: 100 Greatest Videos |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2001/vh1videos.htm |access-date=April 29, 2021 |website=www.rockonthenet.com}} PopSugar named it the 15th most iconic music video of the 90s,{{Cite web |last=Abrams |first=Hannah |date=November 22, 2018 |title=The 25 Most Iconic '90s Music Videos Will Have You Busting Out Your Platforms |url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/45461954 |access-date=April 29, 2021 |website=POPSUGAR Entertainment}} while UDiscover Music listed it as one of the music videos that defined the 90s. In 2021, Slant Magazine ranked "Doo Wop (That Thing)" at number 20 on their list of the '100 Greatest Videos'. In 2023, Rolling Stone placed it on their list of the "150 Greatest Hip Hop Music Videos of All Time".{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Lauryn Hill, 'Doo-Wop (That Thing)' |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/-49286/lauryn-hill-doo-wop-that-thing-2-49350/ |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}

The song's music video was Directed by Monty Whitebloom & Andy Delaney, Bigtv, and filmed in Manhattan's Washington Heights in New York City, with the video showing two Hills singing side by side at a block party. On the left side of the split screen, the 1967 Hill dressed in full retro-styled attire, complete with a beehive and a zebra-printed dress, she pays homage to classic R&B and doo wop, and on the right side of the screen, the 1998 Hill is shown in a homage to hip hop culture.{{cite book| author = Leah Furman, Elina Furman | title = Heart of Soul | publisher = Ballantine Books | year = 1999 | isbn = 0-345-43588-5|page=155}} Slant Magazine's Paul Schrodt praised the "Doo Wop (That Thing)" music video, stating "The resulting split-screen music video is the most flabbergasting testament to what the neo soul movement is all about."Schrodt, Paul. [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1471 Review: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912121500/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1471 |date=September 12, 2008}}. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on December 5, 2009.

The song's music video won four 1999 MTV Video Music Awards for: Best Female Video, Best R&B Video, Best Art Direction, and Video of the Year; with her win for Video of the Year, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" became the first hip hop video to win the award, and made Hill the first solo black artist to win, and second overall following TLC (1995).{{Cite web |title=The VMAs Have Historically Been Biased Against Black Artists |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/07/22/nicki-minaj-vma-race-problem |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=The FADER}}{{Cite web |title=Ranking Every MTV VMAs Video of the Year |url=https://ew.com/music/2017/08/22/vmas-video-year-winners-ranking/ |access-date=May 21, 2021 |website=EW.com}} At the Soul Train Music Awards, the video was awarded the Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video.

In 2014, musician Drake sampled the song on his single "Draft Day", the song was later included on his 2019 compilation album Care Package.{{Cite magazine |title=Drake Samples Lauryn Hill In New Song 'Draft Day': Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6032583/drake-samples-lauryn-hill-in-new-song-draft-day-listen |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 29, 2021}} In 2021, Kanye West also sampled it for his single "Believe What I Say", from his tenth studio album Donda.{{Cite web |last=Neale |first=Matthew |date=August 29, 2021 |title=Kanye West has sampled Lauryn Hill on 'DONDA' and fans are loving it |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-has-sampled-lauryn-hill-on-donda-and-fans-are-loving-it-3031966 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=NME}} It has also been interpolated by the recording artist Lizzo, on the song "Break Up Twice" from her fourth studio album Special.{{Cite magazine |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Song You Need to Know: Lizzo's 'Coldplay' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lizzo-song-you-need-to-know-coldplay-1383653/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 17, 2022}}

The song's instrumental has also been used in freestyles by rappers DaBaby,{{Cite web |title=DaBaby Freestyles Over Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)," Seemingly Announces New Mixtape |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dababy-freestyles-over-lauryn-hill-152508226.html |access-date=November 24, 2022 |website=www.yahoo.com|date=November 23, 2022 }} and Jamaican musician Shenseea.{{Cite web |title=Shenseea drops off new freestyle with L.A. Leakers |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-03-08/156071/shenseea-la-leakers-freestyle/ |access-date=November 24, 2022 |website=REVOLT}}

Singer Amy Winehouse covered "Doo Wop (That Thing)" as part of a mashup with her song, "He Can Only Hold Her", during live concerts from 2006 to 2008; her performance of the mashup in May 2007 at Shepherd's Bush Empire, was later included on her live album I Told You I Was Trouble: Live in London.{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2021 |title=Amy Winehouse's Live At Paradiso Recording Is A Forgotten Gem, And Her Finest Moment |url=https://junkee.com/amy-winehouses-paradiso/302614 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=Junkee}} Rihanna also covered the song while touring on Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour, in 2008.{{Cite web |title=Rihanna On Lauryn Hill's 'Doo Wop (That Thing)' - Vidéo Dailymotion |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ewvk |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=Dailymotion |date=November 15, 2008}} In 2012, R&B singer Teyana Taylor released her The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill inspired mixtape, The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor; the track "Lauryn's Interlude" from her mixtape features Taylor performing a shortened, a capella version of the song.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Teyana|title=Teyana Taylor The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Teyana-Taylor-The-Misunderstanding-Of-Teyana-Taylor-mixtape.324580.html|access-date=March 12, 2012|publisher=datpiff.com|archive-date=March 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314125313/http://www.datpiff.com/Teyana-Taylor-The-Misunderstanding-Of-Teyana-Taylor-mixtape.324580.html|url-status=dead}} English girl group Little Mix also performed an a cappella take of "Doo Wop (ThatThing)", that same year.{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2012 |title=Little Mix cover Lauryn Hill - video |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a440467/little-mix-cover-lauryn-hills-doo-wop-that-thing-video/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=Digital Spy}} In 2013, Will Holland (billed as Quantic) released a latin version of the song alongside Ana Tijoux.{{Cite web |title=Quantic x Ana Tijoux - "Doo Wop That Thing" - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/quantic-ana-tijoux-doo-wop-that-thing-cover-mp3.html |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=www.okayplayer.com |language=en}}

Alicia Keys performed a rendition of the track during a medley with other popular songs at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.{{Cite magazine |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Alicia Keys Covers Juice WRLD, Coldplay, Lauryn Hill & More at 2019 Grammys |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/alicia-keys-grammys-performance-8497613/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 17, 2022}} Folk singer Devendra Banhart has also covered the song during multiple live performances, including at the music festivals, Bonnaroo and Pitchfork Music Festival.{{Cite web|title=Drenched In Blog: Tranny Time with Devendra Banhart|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/drenched-in-blog-tranny-time-with-devendra-banhart-6766750|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Houston Press}} Bruno Mars sung "Doo Wop (That Thing)" during his 24K Magic World Tour.{{Cite web |last=Radke |first=Brock |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Bruno Mars can have Vegas whenever he wants - Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2018/feb/20/bruno-mars-park-theater-las-vegas-strip/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=lasvegasweekly.com}}

The Glee episode "The Back-up Plan", included a cover version of the song performed by Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley) and Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera).{{Cite web|date=April 28, 2014|title='Glee's Amber Riley & Naya Rivera Cover Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)": Idolator Premiere|url=https://www.idolator.com/7515953/glee-amber-riley-naya-rivera-lauryn-hill-doo-wop-that-thing?view-all|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=idolator}} The 2015 film Pitch Perfect 2 included a cover of the song by singer Ester Dean, who performed the hook of the song in the 'Riff Off'.{{Cite web|title=New 'Pitch Perfect 2' clip features amazing Lauryn Hill, Bell Biv Devoe covers|url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni58498663|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=IMDb}} Singer John Legend performed a rendition of the song on the ABC network show Greatest Hits.{{Cite web |title=Ariana Grande Performs Two Whitney Houston Songs Like a Boss - E! Online |url=https://www.eonline.com/amp/news/785517/ariana-grande-performs-whitney-houston-s-how-will-i-know-and-queen-of-the-night-on-greatest-hits |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=www.eonline.com|date=August 5, 2016 }} In 2023, rapper/singer Tobe Nwigwe released a cover version of the song for Spotify Singles.{{Cite web |last=Naomi |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Spotify's Guide to the Best New Artists of 2023 |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2023-02-03/spotifys-guide-to-the-best-new-artists-of-2023/ |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=Spotify |language=en-US}}

In 2021, author Minda Harts published her second book, Right Within: How We Heal From Racial Trauma in the Workplace, inspired by a verse in the song.{{Cite book |url=https://books.telegraph.co.uk/Product/IRB-Media/Summary-of-Minda-Hartss-Right-Within/26607718 |title=Summary of Minda Harts's Right Within |date=2021-07-12 |isbn=978-1-6693-4195-6 |language=en-gb}} TIME magazine named it one of the "8 New Books You Should Read" in October 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Gutterman |first=Annabel |date=2021-10-01 |title=Here Are the 8 New Books You Should Read in October |url=https://time.com/6102193/best-books-october-2021/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}

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US CD and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=US CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=38K 78868}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=38T 78868}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)"
2. "Lost Ones" (remix)

US maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=US maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=44K 78869}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (radio edit)
2. "Lost Ones" (album version)
3. "Lost Ones" (remix)
4. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (instrumental)
5. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (a cappella)

UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666515 2}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (radio edit)
2. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (Gordon's dub)
3. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (instrumental)

UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666515 5}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (album version)
2. "Lost Ones"
3. "Forgive Them Father"

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UK cassette single and European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666515 4}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=COL 665692 1}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (radio edit)
2. "Lost Ones"

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666459-2}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (radio edit) – 4:00
2. "Lost Ones" – 5:33
3. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (Gordon's dub) – 4:00
4. "Tell Him" (live) – 4:40
5. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" – 4:03

Japanese CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records|id=SRCS 8696}}

1. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (album version)
2. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (radio edit)
3. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (Gordon's dub)
4. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (a cappella)

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Credits are taken from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|title-link=The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=US CD album booklet|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=CK 69035}}

Studios

• Recorded at Marley Music, Inc. (Kingston, Jamaica) and Chung King Studios (New York City)
• Mixed at Sony Music Studios (New York City)
• Mastered at Powers House of Sound (New York City)

Personnel

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• Lauryn Hill – writing, lead vocals, production, arrangement
• Lenesha Randolph – background vocals
• Jeni Fujita – background vocals
• Rasheem "Kilo" Pugh – background vocals
• Fundisha Johnson – background vocals
• James Poyser – background vocals, piano, Rhodes, celesta, Wurlitzer, electric piano
• Ché Guevara – drum programming
• Vada Nobles – additional drum programming
• DJ Supreme – DJ elements
• Everol Wray – trumpet
• Nambo Robinson – trombone
• Dean Fraser – saxophone
• Indigo Quartet – strings
• Commissioner Gordon – recording, mixing, mix engineering
• Warren Riker – recording
• Errol Brown – recording assistant
• Storm Jefferson – recording assistant
• Herb Powers, Jr. – mastering

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1998|certyear=2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Ms. Lauryn Hill|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=2023|id=13159|access-date=November 17, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1998|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=April 3, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1998|certyear=2024|id=1918-1612-1|access-date=December 3, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Doo Wop (That Thing)|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1998}}

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{{Reflist}}

{{Lauryn Hill}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for "Doo Wop (That Thing)"

|titlestyle = background: lightblue

|list =

{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year}}

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Category:1998 songs

Category:1998 debut singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Doo-wop songs

Category:Lauryn Hill songs

Category:MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video

Category:MTV Video of the Year Award

Category:Music videos directed by Big T.V.

Category:Number-one singles in Iceland

Category:Song recordings produced by Lauryn Hill

Category:Songs written by Lauryn Hill

Category:Ruffhouse Records singles

Category:Columbia Records singles