"the right thing to do" is a song written and performed by carly simon that first appeared on her 1972 album "no secrets". the song was recorded at trident studios in london's soho. it was released as the second single to the album, following "you're so vain" and reached no. 17 on the "billboard" hot 100 and no. 4 on billboard's adult contemporary chart. it also reached no. 20 on the canada top singles chart and no. 9 on the canadian adult contemporary chart. it reached #17 in the uk.