"You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" is a song by American rock band the Lovin' Spoonful from their 1966 album Daydream. It was first issued as a single in November 1965 and reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966.[2] According to its writer, band bassist and songwriter Steven Boone, it was inspired by 1960s celebrity photographer Nurit Wilde.[3]

"You Didn't Have to Be So Nice"
US picture sleeve
Single by the Lovin' Spoonful
from the album Daydream
B-side	"My Gal"
Released	November 13, 1965
Recorded	November 1965[1]
Genre	Folk rock, pop[2]
Length	2:29
Label	Kama Sutra
Songwriter(s)	Steve Boone, John Sebastian
Producer(s)	Erik Jacobsen
The Lovin' Spoonful singles chronology
"Do You Believe in Magic" (1965) "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" (1965) "Daydream" (1966)

Billboard described the song as having a "good lyric and strong dance beat."[4] Cash Box described it as a "catchy cut" with "a sweet romantic touch."[5]

The song has been cited as an inspiration for the composition of the 1966 song "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys.[6]

"You Didn't Have to Be So Nice"

by The Lovin' Spoonful, from Daydream, (Kama Sutra Records 1966, Buddah Records 2000) format=Ogg

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Covers

• 1966 – The Grass Roots on their first album, Where Were You When I Needed You.
• 1967 – Astrud Gilberto on her fifth album, Beach Samba.
• 1997 – Amy Grant & Kevin Costner in Costner's film The Postman
• 2014 – Nick Vernier Band

References

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