“How Do You Do It?” by Gerry & The Pacemakers: A Classic Beat of the 60s
If you were around in the early 1960s, there’s a good chance that “How Do You Do It?” by Gerry & The Pacemakers was part of your soundtrack. Released in 1963, this upbeat pop tune became one of the defining hits of the Merseybeat era, a movement led by bands from Liverpool, England, and famous for its infectious, feel-good energy.
Gerry & The Pacemakers, fronted by Gerry Marsden, were one of the key players in the British Invasion that took the United States by storm. While The Beatles often overshadowed their contemporaries, Gerry & The Pacemakers carved out their own legacy with hits like “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and of course, “How Do You Do It?”. What makes this song so memorable is its simplicity and catchy rhythm. It’s a lively, bouncy number that just makes you want to tap your feet and sing along.
Written by Mitch Murray, the song is a classic example of 60s pop songwriting, with its straightforward lyrics and an infectious melody that lingers long after the song ends. It tells the story of someone trying to impress a love interest and asking, “How do you do it?”—a theme of youthful curiosity and longing that resonated deeply with listeners at the time, especially in an era when rock ‘n’ roll and love songs ruled the airwaves.
For older generations, this song may bring back fond memories of the early 60s—a time when the British Invasion was in full swing, and the music scene was buzzing with exciting new sounds. Even today, “How Do You Do It?” stands as a reminder of the joyful, carefree spirit of the 60s, and how music from that era continues to make us smile, even decades later.
Whether you were lucky enough to hear this song on the radio in its prime or are discovering it for the first time, “How Do You Do It?” by Gerry & The Pacemakers remains a quintessential piece of pop music history.