You Don't Know What to Do

File:Walle Georgetown.JPG features on "You Don't Know What to Do".|alt=A man wearing a woollen hat holding a microphone, looking to his left.]]

"You Don't Know What to Do" was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, with featured artist Wale. The song interpolates a song called "I'm Caught Up in a One Night Affair", written by Patrick Adams and Terri Gonzalez and originally performed by Inner Life in 1979. Adams and Gonzalez are credited as songwriters as a result. In August 2012, Cox revealed that he, Carey and Dupri had started working on Carey's then untitled fourteenth studio album, later revealed to be Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, before the singer became pregnant with twins in 2010, and then resumed working on the project after she gave birth in 2011. "She was committed to making it before she got pregnant. Then she got pregnant and she took the time off. Then after she came back, we started really vibing again and we picked up right where we left off. I just feel like between Jermaine, myself and her, we came up with a few things that [are] really, really a solid body of work".{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first= John|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1691082/mariah-carey-triumphant-upcoming-album.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807115830/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1691082/mariah-carey-triumphant-upcoming-album.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2012 |title=Mariah Carey's 'Triumphant' Single Is 'Close To Her Heart'|work=MTV News|date=August 2, 2012|access-date=June 6, 2015}}

In August 2013, Wale revealed that he had been in the studio with Carey, posting the message "Mariah x Wale x JD = coming soon" on his Twitter account.{{cite web|last=Morgan|first=Nakiya|url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/08/05/wale-teases-mariah-carey-and-jermaine-dupri-collaboration/|title=Wale Teases Mariah Carey And Jermaine Dupri Collaboration|work=MTV News|date=August 5, 2013|access-date=June 6, 2015|archive-date=October 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031091028/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/08/05/wale-teases-mariah-carey-and-jermaine-dupri-collaboration/|url-status=dead}} Then, on May 16, 2014, Carey and Wale premiered their collaboration, revealed to be called "You Don't Know What to Do", live during a mini-concert for Today held by Carey.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7518528/mariah-carey-wale-you-dont-know-what-t-do-today|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140520215711/http://www.idolator.com/7518528/mariah-carey-wale-you-dont-know-what-t-do-today|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2014|last=Lee|first=Christina|title=Mariah Carey & Wale Debut 'You Don't Know What To Do' On 'Today': Watch|work=Idolator|date=May 16, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2015}} Following the performance, Carey premiered the studio version on May 19 on The Russ Parr Morning Show radio show.{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Christina|title=Mariah Carey's "You Don't Know What To Do" Makes Its Radio Debut: Listen|url=http://www.idolator.com/7518946/mariah-carey-wale-you-dont-know-what-to-do|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141112055043/http://www.idolator.com/7518946/mariah-carey-wale-you-dont-know-what-to-do|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2014|access-date=November 12, 2014|work=Idolator|date=June 6, 2015}}{{cite news|title=New Music: Mariah Carey f/ Wale – 'You Don't Know What To Do'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/05/19/new-music-mariah-carey-f-wale-you-dont-know-what-to-do/|work=Rap-Up|date=May 19, 2014|access-date=November 11, 2014}} A solo version which omits Wale's rap verses was later released in June 2014.{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Mariah Carey Does Not Approve Of Her "You Don't Know What To Do" Cover, Releases Solo Version|url=http://www.idolator.com/7523875/mariah-carey-you-dont-know-what-to-do-cover-beef-solo-version|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141112055048/http://www.idolator.com/7523875/mariah-carey-you-dont-know-what-to-do-cover-beef-solo-version|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2014|work=Idolator|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=June 6, 2014}} The song was serviced to urban contemporary radio on June 30, 2014 and rhythmic contemporary radio on July 1, 2014, as the third single to be released from the album.{{cite web |url=http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=6&ArtistID=23&AlbumID=1261&SingleID=4098&Gospel=0 |title=You Dont Know What To Do |work=Frequency News |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714173549/http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=6&ArtistID=23&AlbumID=1261&SingleID=4098&Gospel=0 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |title=Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |access-date=June 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628004841/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |archive-date=June 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}

When Carey released "You Don't Know What to Do" as single fans noticed that its accompanying single artwork looked odd.{{cite news|last=Corner|first=Lewis|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a579645/mariah-carey-criticises-her-own-single-artwork-ugh.html#~oVjUjVeS8TUyBK|title=Mariah Carey criticises her own single artwork: 'Ugh!'|work=Digital Spy|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} It was later revealed that the single artwork was a cropped version of the album cover for Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, whereby her head had been swapped for another image in favor of one which was forward-facing, as well as an edited background.{{cite web|url=http://popdust.com/2014/06/20/mariah-carey-unveils-airbrushed-artwork-for-new-single-you-dont-know-what-to-do/|title=Mariah Carey Unveils Airbrushed Artwork For New Single 'You Don't Know What To Do'|work=PopDust|date=June 20, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.etcanada.com/blogs/etc_101531/mariah-uses-photoshop-to-revamp-old-photo-for-new-single-cover-art/celebs/music/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627085012/http://www.etcanada.com/blogs/etc_101531/mariah-uses-photoshop-to-revamp-old-photo-for-new-single-cover-art/celebs/music/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2014|title=Mariah Uses Photoshop To Revamp Old Photo For New Single Cover Art|work=Entertainment Tonight Canada|date=June 22, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} Various media outlets criticized Carey for continuing to heavily airbrush and "recycle" images of herself.{{cite news|last=Wass|first=Mike|url=http://www.idolator.com/7523875/mariah-carey-you-dont-know-what-to-do-cover-beef-solo-version|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141112055048/http://www.idolator.com/7523875/mariah-carey-you-dont-know-what-to-do-cover-beef-solo-version|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2014|title=Mariah Carey Does Not Approve Of Her "You Don't Know What To Do" Cover, Releases Solo Version|work=Idolator|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} In response, Carey expressed her discontent on Twitter, stating she had nothing to do with the selection of the single's artwork and in turn asked for fans to send in their artwork designs as alternatives, ending the message with {{" '}}cause at this point IDKWTD!", an abbreviation of the song's title.

"You Don't Know What to Do" is a disco revival song with elements of gospel, pop and R&B styles.{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Melinda|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/mariah-debuts-sassy-new-tune-you-dont-know-what-to-do-with-wale-on-today|title=Mariah debuts sassy new tune, 'You Don't Know What To Do' with Wale on 'Today'|work=HitFix|date=May 16, 2014|access-date=June 5, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517195405/http://www.hitfix.com/news/mariah-debuts-sassy-new-tune-you-dont-know-what-to-do-with-wale-on-today|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Sargent|first=Jordan|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19399-mariah-carey-me-i-am-mariahthe-elusive-chanteuse/|title=Mariah Carey: Me. I Am Mariah...the Elusive Chanteuse|work=Pitchfork Media|date=June 16, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} It lasts for a duration of four minutes and 46 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/me-i-am-mariah-the-elusive/872479515|title=Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse|work=iTunes Store (U.S.)|access-date=June 6, 2015}} Several critics highlighted the track as following in the recent disco revivalism footsteps of Daft Punk, Justin Timberlake and posthumous Michael Jackson material.{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Aisha|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/05/19/mariah_carey_wale_new_song_you_don_t_know_what_to_do_audio.html|title=Mariah Carey Boards the Disco Revival Train With 'You Don't Know What To Do'|work=Slate|date=May 19, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} The song begins with Carey singing about how she is in a dilemma as to whether or not she wishes to stay in a relationship with her lover, as he is no longer capable of romancing her. In response, Wale raps about how he is trying to woo her and is asking for a second chance. Carey then decides that it has been too long that Wale has not loved her for, and feels liberated for letting him go. Kenneth Partridge of Billboard likened the string arrangement to Chic's 1979 single "Good Times".{{cite magazine|last=Partridge|first=Kenneth|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6099198/mariah-carey-me-i-am-mariah-the-elusive-chanteuse-track-by-track-review|title=Mariah Carey, 'Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse': Track-by-Track Review|magazine=Billboard|date=May 23, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} Pitchfork Media writer Jordan Sargent compared "You Don't Know What to Do" to Carey's previous singles "Fantasy" (1995) and "Heartbreaker" (1999), but noted that it felt like a "logical extension of post-Pharrell disco revivalism".{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Devone|title=Mariah Carey: Me. I Am Mariah: The Elusive Chanteuse – PopMatters|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/182928-mariah-carey-me.-i-am-mariah-the-elusive-chanteuse/|work=PopMatters|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} Christina Lee for Idolator thought that the 70s disco feel embodied Daft Punk's 2013 single, "Get Lucky".

File:Donatella Versace Time Shankbone 2010.jpg described Carey and Wale's collaboration as "poetry".|alt=A woman with blond hair wearing a blue dress.]]

PopMatters writer Devone Jones described the song as "the most energetic track" on the album, and continued to write that the "skillful" lyrics allow Carey to perform "genuine harmonies" which are reminiscent of seventies dance songs. Both Andy Kellman of AllMusic and Eric Henderson for Slant Magazine noted that Carey appeared to be channeling American dance singer Jocelyn Brown, with the former writer that she sounded like Brown more prominently in the intro, while the latter described "You Don't Know What to Do" as a "stunning" tribute to Brown's 1984 single "Somebody Else's Guy".{{cite web|last=Henderson|first=Eric|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/mariah-carey-me-i-am-mariah-the-elusive-chanteuse|title=Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse|work=Slant Magazine|date=May 25, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Kellman|first1=Andy|title=Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse – Mariah Carey | AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/me-i-am-mariahthe-elusive-chanteuse-mw0002669856|work=AllMusic|date=May 27, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}} Henderson continued to write that "You Don't Know What to Do", along with another album track called "Meteorite", are two of Carey's "most serious-minded performances" on the album, further describing them as "galaxies away" from her 2008 single "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time".

Billboard writer Kenneth Partridge complimented the song for its dance appeal, adding that the only thing missing was a cameo from Nile Rodgers. Melinda Newman of HitFix praised the song's "playful" sentiment, writing that it was the best song that had been released from Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse so far. Entertainment Weekly writer Melissa Maerz complimented the interpolation of "I'm Caught Up in a One Night Affair", describing it as "nostalgic", and further stated that Carey embodies the "bravado" of American singer Jennifer Holliday in the broadway musical Dreamgirls.{{cite magazine|last=Maerz|first=Melissa|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/07/09/me-i-am-mariahthe-elusive-chanteuse/|title=Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse Review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 21, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015|archive-date=May 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521034806/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20818390,00.html|url-status=live}} Digital Spy's Lewis Corner praised Dupri for producing a piano "disco stormer" with throwback appeal.{{cite news|last=Corner|first=Lewis|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a573183/mariah-carey-me-i-am-mariah-the-elusive-chanteuse-album-review.html#~oVnp4kiU557qZc|title=Mariah Carey: Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse – Album review|work=Digital Spy|access-date=November 12, 2014|date=June 7, 2015}} Mike Wass of Idolator thought that "You Don't Know What to Do" would have been worthy of being recorded by American disco singer Donna Summer.{{cite news|last=Wass|first=Mike|url=http://www.idolator.com/7519816/mariah-carey-me-i-am-mariah-the-elusive-chanteuse-album-review|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140529102922/http://www.idolator.com/7519816/mariah-carey-me-i-am-mariah-the-elusive-chanteuse-album-review|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 29, 2014|title=Mariah Carey's 'Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse': Album Review|work=Idolator|date=May 27, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}}

Jordan Sargent of Pitchfork Media praised its composition and noted that the disco and gospel genres are where middle-aged woman can "thrive", whereby Carey "fits in unsurprisingly well". He was, however, critical of the decision to include Wale on the song. Similarly, Aisha Harris of Slate Magazine praised the song's production and Carey's vocals too, but also thought that Wale's rap verses were not required. Conversely, fashion designer Donatella Versace, a friend of Carey's, told Vogue that she thought Carey's singing and Wale's rapping complimented each other on the song, describing it as "poetry", and that it made her want to get up and dance "all summer".{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2014/06/24/donatella-versace-reviews-mariah-carey-you-dont-know-what-to-do|title=Donatella Reviews Mariah's New Album|work=Vogue|date=June 24, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2015}}

"You Don't Know What to Do" was a commercial failure and failed to enter any US chart. However, it did manage to debut at number 45 on the Belgium chart, in the region of Wallonia on August 2, 2014, but failed to enter the main Ultratop 50 chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/weekchart.asp?cat=st&year=2014&date=20140802|title=50 Ultratip – 02/08/2014|work=Ultratop|date=August 2, 2014 |access-date=June 7, 2015|language=fr}} The song broke into the top 40 the following week, charting at number 36.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/weekchart.asp?cat=st&year=2014&date=20140809|title=50 Ultratip – 09/08/2014|work=Ultratop|date=August 9, 2014 |access-date=June 7, 2015|language=fr}} It peaked at number 14 on September 6, spending six weeks on the chart in total.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/weekchart.asp?cat=st&year=2014&date=20140906|title=50 Ultratip – 06/09/2014|work=Ultratop |date=September 6, 2014 |access-date=June 7, 2015|language=fr}} The song also debuted at number 73 in South Korea, on the main Digital Chart, for the week ending May 31, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2014&targetTime=23&nationGbn=T&year_time=|title=2014년 23주차 Digital Chart|publisher=Gaon|language=ko|access-date=January 26, 2021}} It also debuted at number two on the International Download Chart, with sales of 32,945 units.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=week&hitYear=2014&targetTime=23&nationGbn=E|title=South Korea Gaon International Download Singles Chart (Week: 2014.05.25 to 2014.05.31) |work=Gaon|date=June 1, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2015}} In its second week, the song fell to number seven with sales of 11,991 units,{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=week&hitYear=2014&targetTime=24&nationGbn=E|title=South Korea Gaon International Download Singles Chart (Week: 2014.06.01 to 2014.06.07) |work=Gaon|date=June 7, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2015}} and again to number 11 in its third week with sales of 7,326 units.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=week&hitYear=2014&targetTime=25&nationGbn=E|title=South Korea Gaon International Download Singles Chart (Week: 2014.06.08 to 2014.06.014) |work=Gaon|date=June 14, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2015}} It also charted in Russia, peaking at number 152.{{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/ru/tracks/57201/|title=Mariah Carey - You Don't Know What to Do|website=Tophit.ru|access-date=March 12, 2021}}

{{Clear}}

Carey and Wale performed "You Don't Know What to Do" on the Today show on May 16, 2014. The performance also included renditions of Carey's previous singles "Always Be My Baby" (1996) and "Touch My Body" (2008).

Carey started performing the song for the first time after 5 years on Caution World Tour in 2019.

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse.{{cite AV media notes |title=Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (Liner Notes) |others=Mariah Carey |year=2014|first=Mariah |last=Carey |author-link=Mariah Carey |type=Compact Disc |publisher=Def Jam |location=New York City, New York }}

;Recording

• Recorded at Rapture Studios, Bel Air, CA; Metrocity Studios, New York, NY; Studio at the Palms, Las Vegas, NV; Capital Studios, Hollywood, CA.

;Sampling credits

• Contains an interpolation of "I'm Caught Up in a One Night Love Affair", written by Patrick Adams and Terri Gonzalez.

;Personnel

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Songwriting – Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Olubowale Akintimehin, Patrick Adams, Terri Gonzalez
• Production – Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox
• Recording – Brian Garten, John Horesco, Jess Sutcliffe
• Assistant recording – Daniela Rivera
• Background vocals – Mariah Carey

{{col-2}}

• String arrangement and conduction – Larry Gold
• Violins – Joel Derouin, Mario Deleon, Tammy Hatwan, Marisa Kuney, Songa Lee, Serena McKinney, Grace Oh, Bob Peterson, Kathleen Sloan, Jenny Takamatsu, Ina Veli, Josefina Vegara
• Violas – Caroline Buckman, Lauren Chipman, Kaila Potts, Mike Whitson
• Cellos – Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, Julie Jung, Giovanna Clayton

{{col-end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Mariah Carey singles}}

{{Wale}}

{{Good article}}

Category:2014 singles

Category:2014 songs

Category:Mariah Carey songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Jermaine Dupri

Category:Songs written by Mariah Carey

Category:Songs written by Wale (rapper)

Category:Wale (rapper) songs

Category:Songs written by Bryan-Michael Cox

Category:American disco songs

Category:Songs written by Patrick Adams (musician)