If That's What It Takes is the debut studio album by American musician Michael McDonald, released on August 3, 1982 by Warner Bros. Records. The album peaked at #6 on Billboard 200, while singles "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" and "I Gotta Try" went to #4 and #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
Track listing
Side two| Title | Writer(s) |
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| 6. | "That's Why" | Goodrum | 4:24 |
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| 7. | "If That's What It Takes" | Jackie DeShannon | 4:17 |
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| 8. | "No Such Luck" | - Grady Walker
- Harry Garfield
| 3:44 |
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| 9. | "Losin' End" | | 4:11 |
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| 10. | "Believe in It" | | 4:41 |
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| Total length: | 39:59 |
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Personnel
- Michael McDonald – lead vocals; backing vocals (1, 3, 4, 6–8, 10); Rhodes piano (1–3, 7, 9, 10); synthesizers (1–4, 6–8, 10); acoustic piano (4–6, 8)
- Greg Phillinganes – acoustic piano (1, 3, 7, 10); clavinet (2); Rhodes piano (4); Hammond organ (9)
- Michael Boddicker – additional synthesizers (4)
- Michael Omartian – Rhodes piano (6, 8)
- Dean Parks – guitar (1, 3, 7, 9); guitar overdubs (8)
- Steve Lukather – guitar (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
- Robben Ford – guitar solo (6, 7)
- Willie Weeks – bass (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
- Louis Johnson – bass (2)
- Mike Porcaro – bass (6, 8)
- Steve Gadd – drums (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
- Jeff Porcaro – drums (2, 6, 8)
- Lenny Castro – percussion (1, 3, 6-8, 10)
- Bobby LaKind – percussion (1)
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion (3, 4)
- Ted Templeman – percussion (4)
- Edgar Winter – saxophone solo (1, 10); alto saxophone (8)
- Tom Scott – saxophone solo (6); Lyricon solo (9)
- Ed Sanford – backing vocals (1)
- Maureen McDonald – backing vocals (2, 6)
- Kenny Loggins – backing vocals (4)
- Christopher Cross – backing vocals (6)
- Brenda Russell – backing vocals (6)
- Kathy Walker – backing vocals (6)
- Amy Holland – backing vocals (6)
Production
- Produced by Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker
- Engineers – Lee Herschberg (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10), Jim Isaacson (5, 6, 8), Donn Landee (2)
- Overdub engineers – Jim Isaacson, Donn Landee, Mark Linett, Lee Herschberg
- Second engineers – Ken Deane, Steve McManus
- Mixing – Lee Herschberg
- Mastered by Bobby Hata at Warner Bros. Recording Studio.
- Horn arrangements – Jerry Hey
- String arrangements – Marty Paich
- Keyboard technician – Paul Mederios
- Production coordinators – Joan Parker, Vicki Fortson, Kathy Walker
- Direction – Irving Azoff
- Photography – Jim Shea
- Art Direction and design – Jeff Adamoff
Charts
References
- ^ Jason Elias. "If That's What It Takes - Michael McDonald | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- ^ "If That's What It Takes : Michael McDonald : Review : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. September 30, 1982. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (November 2, 1982). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. p. 185. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6949a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael McDonald – If That's What It Takes". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ "Michael McDonald Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
External links
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| Studio albums | |
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| Compilation albums | |
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| Singles | |
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| Related articles | |
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| Authority control databases | |
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