Song Clearance Sheet
2 sources citedDo What You Gotta Do
Pop1960s150BPM
UnconfirmedKey
More around 150 BPM → · More “Cleared After Dispute” →
Tempo/key via Deezer →
The verdict
Cleared After Dispute
Confirmed songwriter of record (Jimmy Webb) — but Webb has said directly that Kanye used Nina Simone’s recording on “Famous” without permission; he and 16+ other writers were later given formal credit. It clears, but the “without permission” account is preserved rather than implying clean upfront clearance.
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Jimmy Webb
Recordcollectormag → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — most notably Nina Simone’s recording sampled in Kanye West’s “Famous” (already in this catalog), though Webb says that use was initially without permission.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; a confirmed unpermitted use was followed by retroactive formal credit to Webb and 16+ writers.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Sampled Nina Simone’s version here — Webb says without permission (already in this catalog)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Jimmy Webb
A confirmed unpermitted use — relevant to FamousKanye West sampled Nina Simone’s specific recording on “Famous” (already in this catalog). Per a direct interview, Jimmy Webb says West used it WITHOUT permission. Webb and “no fewer than 16 other songwriters” were eventually given formal credit on the finished track — a striking count reflecting the song’s layered sampling. The exact resolution terms weren’t captured here.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Nina Simone’s version is the famous one
Nina Simone recorded her own version in 1968, released as a double-A-side single (#83 Hot 100) and included on “’Nuff Said!” — the recording later sampled on “Famous.”
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Nina Simone’s 1968 version sampled in “Famous”
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itKanye West
Who to Contact
DW
Jimmy Webb
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 6)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass