Black Folk react to Bobby Caldwell

Black Folk react to Bobby Caldwell singing "What You Won't Do For Love"

[@solasolandra4175]

Bobby trolled the world starting in the dark like that

[@TBearTheDJ]

i Said the same thing when I first saw this video like he knew he was doin lol cause i already found out he was white but he was older at the time with less facial hair and hair back then he look like Indiana Jones with Soul lol

[@rctr1]

Know your history. The record company decides the cover

[@joesuhrada5615]

Hysterical post! You win the internets on this day, so true!

[@rivkaclifford427]

LOL! :D

[@wickedlouisiana]

😂🤣😭 It was beautiful. My mother was one of the people that bought a ticket to one of his NY shows. She said the crowd was absolutely stunned when he got on stage and started singing.

[@Skorpio420]

RIP Bobby Caldwell...you will always have a spot at the cookout.

[@flyrobin2544]

💕

[@christinerobinson9372]

Oh, OOOOOOOOHHH. He just died?? I looked him up a little while ago and he was still touring. Dag. Passed in March, just one year older than me. Dag.

[@gypsyfree905]

😂😂😂😂

[@fredm.9031]

I'm 45 and this blew my mind. Bobby Caldwell has been to black cookouts and parties for years and we never knew. It's like when your aunt brings her new boyfriend to the reunion and you find out he's white. Goes to show you soul has no color!

[@nanouli6511]

I always thought he was a black man. Just too cool!

[@likey1926]

"Goes to show you soul has no color!" love you for that

[@marke6569]

Wilson Pickett sang on SOUL SURVIVOR .- It don't matter what SKIN YOUR IN, IT'S WHAT'S IN

[@bugvswindshield]

listen to "kiss an angel good morning" by Charlie Pride. Old and as country as fk. Blew me away!!!! 😅😂🤣

[@joesuhrada5615]

@@bugvswindshield loved Charlie!

[@kofoblue3172]

That dayum blue-eyed soul from the 70s and 80s cannot be played with. 😆

[@gdfggggg]

I’ve been listening to black music since a I was a little boy. It’s been the most amazing experience. It’s nice seeing a beautiful black women like you appreciating a bit of whiteness 😂. Bless you 👍🏼

[@marym.5025]

It’s so beautiful when music is universal.

[@hopetondelli5146]

he also played all the instruments on this tune!

[@Cebelle823]

😮

[@williamberkowitz9388]

So another legend ascends among us. May God have you Robert Hunter Caldwell (1951-2023)

[@ArtisanLuthiers]

RIP Bobby Caldwell. You left your mark on the music world, and created a LOT of good times for millions of people.

[@christinerobinson9372]

And Bobby leaves the stage. March 14, 2023. Rip Bobby. You stole all our hearts.

[@barbaramelville337]

😢😢😢rip.

[@rivkaclifford427]

Saddened by the passing of this supremely talented gentleman. This song is timeless. I'm a 66 year old white woman and I distinctly recall thinking for years that he was black. He has the beautiful tone and timbre heard from so many amazing black singers. In this video the reactions were delightful. Thank you for sharing. Love one another, always.

[@barbaramelville337]

❤❤❤ill be 65 July 7 this song is amazing ❤❤🎉🎉may he rip 😢😢😢

[@barbaramelville337]

Thank you for your comment. 🎉

[@sandys1890]

He also played every instrument you hear

[@wandamundy1759]

What's more - Bobby WROTE this song - as well as many others he wrote for famous Black R&B, Soul and Jazz artists. (Read his bio.). He was also a multi-instrumentalist and excellent Producer. (Read what Jon Benet had to say about him.) He was a lovely humble soul, and he left us far too soon. He will be so missed. 💔🎵💔

[@alisonreid1070]

I still have this song on the original heart shapped album...got it for my birthday 1978...my favorite song in the whole world...RIL Bobby Caldwell!!!!

[@TheDivayenta]

That’s so cool!

[@adrianewton1192]

Also, my all time favorite song. R.I.P. UNCLE BOBBY🙏🌈⚘

[@rudolphwesley2754]

I have his songs on my playlist for decades I’m 62 now but in the 70s we jam Bobby Caldwell he was just one of those dudes just like Gino Vannelli

[@barbaramelville337]

​@@rudolphwesley2754😢😢😢may he rip. ❤

[@barbaramelville337]

That's awesome ❤❤❤

[@bluesky-rb8fn]

Soar with the angels Bobby!! Such talent, soul energy can never die!! We are spiritual beings having an human experience!!❤

[@raphmcafee]

Hear hear Our bodies are just temporary vessels.

[@vickicade8380]

Bobby was an amazing vocalist with beautiful deep, rich, tones. He will be missed.

[@JBenny2010]

White dude! I graduated in the ‘70’s and missed this??….That’s what I said when his album came out. I lived it… white folks always connected to soul music. It’s pure!

[@joshuabradshaw9120]

I love all these reactions to him being white. It's got me rolling on the floor.

[@rudolphwesley2754]

I thought everybody knew he was white I knew he was white from day one he just could jam. He had more than just the one song people are talking about check out his library.

[@samuelwilder9928]

That's why they wouldn't show his face on the album cover. Most black people thought he was black. Also no one can sing this song better than he.. You know he has been around black singers. I can't help it, even when I found out over 40 years ago it is still in my top 25 selection.

[@rivkaclifford427]

And also that was his natural voice. He wasn't trying to "sound black' . A heart full of soul can't be stopped! So talented.

[@Teardehawkee]

This hit me hard. RIP. Messing with black people's heads for 40+ years. I swear this song messed up my hair once because of the smoothness!

[@edwincancelii2917]

God bless Mr. Caldwell. R.I.P.

[@user-lc7hm3pg7x]

I thought it was just me. I love seeing other people's reaction. Rip Bobby Caldwell

[@Berlinbear58]

3:20 I'm laughing as an old white dude! Yeah, some of us got some of that soul too. This is old school for us, grew up on Motown and soul music since a kid. 😁 Still listening.

[@gato22fv]

Rest In Eternal Peace Mr Caldwell...

[@cryptodeity]

6:30 he said Indiana Jones LMAOOOO 🤣 took me out with that

[@khubza8999]

LOL!!!

[@RuthwikRao]

KevOnStage is hilarious RIP to Bobby tho 🙏😔

[@MA_808]

Speaking for myself and having grown up in Oakland, I know why black people are surprised, but you should not be. I have traveled and lived all over the world and the vast vast majority of people everywhere, especially white people love black people and love your vibe, spirit,. culture, families, style, and your past and ongoing contributions to everything. If you would please believe this simple statement from me and many others it may make your journeys through life calmer and happier. May God bless us all is all I can add.

[@cribrebo7375]

Rest in peace to the great Bobby Caldwell

[@diddiaskew3084]

Rest in Peace, Bobby. 🙇🏾‍♀️🇺🇦

[@anitawalker1535]

It's the voice, the type of song, the rhythm the sound, got so much soul, RIP BOBBY I was 18 when I heard this back in the late 70s, they didn't have videos and all the black stations played so we thought he was black, then it was revealed and we lost it, that is when we knew Bobby would be invited to all the black functions lmaoo

[@rosalindwilliams196]

The limited edition of this song was red and shaped like a heart. My oldest brother bought it for his wife for valentines day.

[@therobinmasterstheory1636]

He resembles Chuck Mangione a litlle bit.

[@ronswansonsdog2833]

That look was definitely an aesthetic at the time.

[@kuroieien465]

Bobby Caldwell is a legend

[@vh8674]

Bobby proved them so wrong.😂😂❤❤

[@btwlioness6064]

This never gets old!!! AMAZING TALENT!!! R.I.P. Bobby

[@csu111]

Pre-Trump whites had soul….

[@deputy1968]

My music World is shaken! RIP to the greatest live entertainer. I was blown away after years of thinking he was the most awesome black singer in the World!!

[@markwells6532]

In 1978 when Bobby Caldwell came out with "What You Won't Do For Love" me and my dad were listening to it , I was 15 and my Dad said " You know that's a gray dude ( meaning white dude) singing like that " I have known Bobby Caldwell was white for 45 years now bc I still sing to his music to this day RIP My " Blue Eyed Soul Brother" 🙏❤️

[@fondawebb4527]

It is the influence of the black community and black singers. Read his Bio. One of the great songwriters too.

[@shawnj1966]

Many people are influenced by others. During this period, music like this was popular among both black and white artists. White artists have been influenced by black artists and black artists have been influenced by white artists. It's not about the color of the people. It's about the music and the songs, and how they resonate with the audience!

[@TheDivayenta]

@@shawnj1966 I think his point is we have Black Americans to thank for inventing jazz, soul, hip hop and to a great degree rock and roll. Then others intermingled and all got good at it as well.

[@basha8313]

​@Karen Nyere yes...thank you❤

[@j.t.3798]

We aren't that different after all! Turn off that t.v. love and respect each other.

[@astaroth411]

Very true

[@Crackers2549]

Great video here Bernie.... Loved it....The first time I heard this song was in my car in 1979, I'm saying who is THIS...? Well, I did a U turn and headed to the record store on Torrence Ave I was so blown away by this jam....! Got to the store and looked up Bobby Caldwell and their it was, the album with a silhouette him sitting on a bench, flipped it over and this song is on it...! I couldn't pay for it soon enough so I could get home and play this bad boy over and over again....! Still love it....Yes, I thought he was a black singer (and I'm Italian American).... I didn't find out till much later that Bobby was a white guy...! What a great singer and this song is still in my top 5 all time songs...! What a song and everyone can relate ... WOW... Greg..IN

[@user-cb7jq6rv1j]

😂Love this so much, same thing happened when people found out Redbone were Native Americans. Great song❤Rip BC

[@mariadefreitas3274]

I was 23 years old when I first heard this song in 1979, and when I heard Bobby Cadwell died I listen to the song and never in my dreamest mind think he was white. He even dances like a Trinidadian Calypsonion. I am still listening to his famous song. May he find favour without God.

[@beverlyjames88]

I completely understand. I can’t stop thinking about how talent and hearing about how he died made me real sad and it’s a cautionary tale on the use of antibiotics.. what a treasure we had. Bless his memory ♥️

[@jiordynclements839]

Bobby was a good friend of mine. He passed a year ago. A lot of people thought he was black. I called him my “Vanilla Brother” he used to get a kick out of it. His wife, Mary, would be pleased to know that generations are not only discovering his music. The whole album is great, one of my favorites is “My Flame”. Thanks for reacting.

[@juliearmfield2634]

He was a extremely talented artist. Im sorry for your loss.❤

[@juliearmfield2634]

Was it true in 79 he was nominated as best new black artist?

[@jiordynclements839]

@juliearmfield2634 Yes he was. Billboard Magazine nominated him. His voice was so soulful, they ASSUMED he was black. He didnt win after they found out he was white.

[@jiordynclements839]

@juliearmfield2634 If you looked at the Album cover, it was just a shadow. Just like the official music video he sat on the same bench as the Album cover, got up and walked into the light, people were shocked! ☺️The music video wasn't done until after '79. He did years later. He used to get a kick out of it, unknowing listeners and concert goers would find out he wasn't black.

[@tcny13]

Lol I don’t know what I love more the songs or the reactions and comments. Literally laughing out loud

[@leofosse]

RIP Bobby Caldwell. I've heard this song for decades and didn't know he was white until today.

[@leftys408]

same here. RIP

[@shadowsgathered6878]

Same with me. Didn't find out he was white until he passed away. I got on KZbin to listen to the song because I felt like it was one I should know. Turns out it was one I should know. I specifically remember it being on the radio. I loved it, and in my mind it was a black artist singing that song.

[@brendalockett7982]

That came out my senior year of high school, played on soul stations and we still had no idea he was white. But we also had Wild Cherry singing "Play that Funkie Music White Boy" and The Average White Band with a killer instrumental featuring mostly saxophone. Oh, almost forgot that Canadian Gino Vannelli singing "I Just Wanna Stop". Y'all remember that album cover with that big, thick, curly afro? Yeap, another white man. At the time, I thought he was biracial. Anyway, he is still touring and selling out venues.

[@TheDivayenta]

It’s like when folks first see Michael McDonald.

[@ElainaWilliams994]

Yeah, but after listening to Michael for years, (solo or with the Doobie Bros.) I could tell in his voice that he was just a soulful white dude,..which is cool because I've always loved his music. But I would have never suspected after hearing this song for years that Bobby was white. You just have to come across this video for the first time to know, lol!

[@andrewlawrence6056]

You need to listen to the 20th anniversary remix of this song. I play it so often on my show. Bobby Caldwell…with a career that spanned 4 decades…was light years ahead of many black artists. He was a master at keyboards, drums and guitar. He was an amazing Artist

[@susieaxym]

When it came out in 78, never thought about white or black.. just loved the songs

[@ewingcrowder4753]

Same here.I was 13 and this was one of my favorite songs

[@jimamos7984]

Same.

[@basha8313]

We didn't think about it because we assumed he was black 😊

[@curtisvonallmen6294]

This is so amazing beyond belief. I heard it when I was younger and now that I’m older I’m like WOW. I’m on my way now to purchase it! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@deborahthomes3383]

They copy our style ,

[@TM6719]

Let us all be as one, rest in peace Bobby and love to your family.

[@beverlyjames88]

This song gives me chills and brings on feelings and sensations.. wow. I’ve loved this song for years bells bells it was a Grammy winner. I can’t stop watching Bobby he had some sexy thrusts.. I’m 71 and I think I hearing and seeing him moved my hormone meter into full fledged hard drive. 😳♥️

[@amandakamara7631]

Straight blew my mind like 10-15 years ago. Never knew!!!! Always pictured a black guy singing this song. I just recently heard another song that he sang and did not know it was him. Wow!! RIP Bobby Caldwell. You will always have a place in my heart, soul, and ears.

[@dayoffnow]

"I don't know who I am anymore" - LOL!

[@jameschambers5396]

RIP Bobby Caldwell.

[@jeanine6328]

I love dude that called off of work. He was HILARIOUS!

[@mmafan3]

Same thing happened with Tenna way back..At first I thought this was another Bill Withers track when it came out. Likewise, if a song hits you, the color of the artist becomes irrelevant. Still, I am glad that he got nothing but love from us.

[@waltermitchell768]

For most of us .. The music speaks for itself notice how people after the shock just grooved

[@mmafan3]

@@waltermitchell768 💯

[@chrisbertinelli3694]

Lisa Stanfield too. Been around the world and I

[@ANDREA.363]

He is awesome.

[@phyllisscott2282]

Bobby wrote this in two days! Genius!

[@chiefinspectorshine]

Never thought about what color he was. It's a badass song. Just like Darryl Hall, that's just how he sings. Why is this amazing? It's the same flipped around. Living Colour is black? Black guys doing rock?😮 Lots of stereotypes that should die in the area of music. And yeah, I could see him looking like Chuck Mangione.🙂

[@stephaniekaylan7189]

Rest in Peace, Rest in Power---thank you for sharing your talent with us all. March 2023. Blessings to you & your family.

[@Justmefornow]

I was living in another country when this came out on the radio. Loved it! It was the soundtrack of all of the parties I went to. Forty plus years later, I found out he was white. That blew my mind! What a great song.

[@hamsandwich6374]

I never heard of Bobby before this video. Guy is pretty amazing.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

The funny thing is I was only like 5 when this song came out, so any kind of video would have been beyond me. Didn’t realize Bobby Caldwell was white until my teens. The funny thing is my black friends and I talk about it and they’re universally like “Yeah, *we* didn’t know he was white, either.” 🤣

[@lydiavalentino]

Rest in Peace Bobby

[@PeterBeater1322]

i called outta work.. i dont know who i am anymore is the best quote of the video 🤣🤣

[@rudolphwesley2754]

We was jamming him in the 70 all day long also Gino Vannelli, cold blooded to

[@grayclaw1391]

I have been listening to Bobby Caldwell for years and I knew he was white person. It does not matter what color he was, he made great music while he was living. RIP Bobby Caldwell. One Smooth dude.

[@albertschepis]

Yeah... I've always loved this song, and it was a favorite track my jazz dance teacher played in class in state college. Just so much soul. I always thought Caldwell was black. Blows me away. Now I've listened to some other stuff he's done and his interviews; he's very nice, cool, funny and so talented. Rip man. So sorry to find he just passed away...

[@d0nr1coiii38]

Absolute tune!!

[@babuddha]

RIP, Bobby. I came to laugh... when this came out way back in the day -- 78 or so -- Bobby is the only voice that fooled my ear... like -- alright, white boy... go 'head wit' yo' bad self!

[@allenmitchell3770]

Say black folks ain't never heard of Bobby Caldwell, you mean you young folks haven't heard about the Caldwell, his partner is Billy Billy Bobby Caldwell is an old man like me. He's a keyboard player for those who don't know and he does a little singing also.

[@allenmitchell3770]

His partner is Billy Joe, Bobby Caldwell's best friend yeah.

[@MatthewDawson-tf8jp]

This was GREAT! Here is how I look at it. WE ARE ONE! We all come from The One. Much love to all y'all! We are family.

[@tonyanaymik4931]

I LOVE THIS SONG IT ALWAYS HITS MY BODY AT MY HEART!

[@VelveteenRabbitinRedFern]

I was shocked as shit to learn he was a white guy too, after all the years I had listened to this song!

[@paulmcilroy7508]

😂😂😂 we thought it was a soul brother at first too back in 78'. Too cool. Great lyrics too! ❤

[@cynthias7654]

i gotta thing for bobby....lol

[@athenagriego4561]

IM FREAKEN DYIN The dude said he looks like Indiana Jones

[@randywatson4341]

AWB was another band that did a Exelent Job on R&B!

[@KevinCurtisBarr]

Bobby was awesome!

[@andrewcornibert7891]

Shocked the shit out of me

[@listennow1537]

Nothing like "the look" of a suprised woman 😊

[@vincespell]

You wrong for that Michael Jackson slight...Lmao!

[@3rdandlong]

I'm like you. When I heard this, and I was in radio during 80's and 90's, then off and on to 2003. I was certain this was a black dude singing this. Then made the shocking discovery here online. But the thing is, I'm a bit older than you and grew up on this when it came out in 1978. I was of the Led Zeppelin-Pink Floyd mode. I was born in 60 so you can do the math. But I got into smooth jazz as I got older and even got to work at a smooth jazz station in Portland. When this tune came up, I turned it up and sang along. It was one of those song you grew up with and it never leaves you. Trust me.

[@carolinenoble1321]

I had the same reaction. I loved this for years. It's a song you can relax to after a hard day's work.

[@SW-Lopez1980]

RIP Mr. Bobby Caldwell🙏 I was 40 y.o. when I found out he was white, not that it matters, because Music & Love transcends Race ❤

[@karengarrow5579]

I am a white lady and I always thought either Luther vandross or teddy pendergrass sang this song yes I am a white who appreciates black singers a lot but I never knew a white dude sang it

[@doreenamohammed3918]

Love Luther Vandross

[@guadalupeandadre1557]

Bobby was super talented

[@irenelopez3390]

Love this song❤

[@billyfernandez4257]

I have no one greater than this that I can sing to

[@torgo4ever]

" THIS man look like Indiana Jones ... an' I don't know what to do wit dat " 🤣 💀

[@zulemasanchez1233]

We are allowed to like soul or country, whatever floats your boat.

[@GladioUmbra]

At the end of the video, there is a cage with someone in it, he hangs his hat on the top of the cage. What he wouldn't do for love..lol..masterful

[@reeltalk4103]

Bro You're Making It Seem Like They Was Singing Like That Before Us When They Got It From Us....We Have Always Been The Most Soulful Beings On The Face Of This Planet.And Don't You Forget It

[@BernardManansala]

I'm not saying anything. It's these guys saying what you said.

[@Beagle3561]

Isn't this a wonderful thing? I wish it was this this easy!

[@lpeters2213]

Bobby Caldwell passed away March14, 2023 from an antibiotic reaction also known as floxed. The link below is from the Soul Train Awards around 2014. Dave Koz toured with Caldwell and other R&B artists. When this song came out in 1979 I had just graduated from college and I flipped my lid. The song was romantic and sexy and I assumed he was black. Caldwell knew he was "the white guy who sang R&B and jazz". BTW I am white! The link below is the Soul Train Awards in 2014 and cneck out the reaction: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKPXfWCLjNSnrqc

[@jakethesnake9528]

As Gomer Pyle would say, "Surprise, Surprise!"

[@donaldearle7497]

I liked the end. He doesn't want to be in a cage and the fried egg in the sky just brings it all together. Marvelous. JK.

[@sweetmedicine6664]

So fun!!! And I’m almost 50 - just learned the man was white! 😆

[@rogfusionkid]

This is really interesting. I'm an English white guy, but i love black music. I didn't know if he was white or black either but when i found out that fact didn't really mean much to me. Like yeah so what? White folk get down funky too you know. I was a drummer in a soul funk band, we were all very white & English and we played almost exclusively "Black" soul & funk. In fact the only "White" song I remember playing was Elvis=little less conversation, that could easily have been Ray Charles doing that song instead. But then we all Know where Elvis found his songs. Anyway, peace, love and funk forever, we all brothers and sisters man. RIP Bobby. It's a shame it took me till my mid 20's to discover the funk etc, no matter now....I'm nearly 50

[@deeelo5501]

I know this song forward and backward and to find out this may was white after 69 years has me in total shock.....OMG. Rest in Peace brotha

[@MelindadelosSantos]

This is delightfully funny!😄

[@mztweety1374]

I felt the same way when I heard Chris Stapleton cover Metallicas nothing else matters😂