If That's What It Takes is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Michael McDonald. The album was released in August 1982 and 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.
If That's What It Takes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 3, 1982 | |||
Recorded | 1981–82 | |||
Studio | Warner Bros. Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA and Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood. Strings recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood. | |||
Genre | Pop, rock, funk, blue-eyed soul | |||
Length | 39:59 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Producer | Ted Templeman, Lenny Waronker | |||
Michael McDonald chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from If That's What It Takes | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
Rolling Stone | [3] |
The Village Voice | C+[4] |
All tracks written by Michael McDonald, with additional writers noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Playin' by the Rules" | Ed Sanford | 4:55 |
2. | "I Keep Forgettin'" | Sanford, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller | 3:39 |
3. | "Love Lies" | Randy Goodrum | 3:21 |
4. | "I Gotta Try" | Kenny Loggins | 3:53 |
5. | "I Can Let Go Now" | 2:54 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
6. | "That's Why" | Goodrum | 4:24 |
7. | "If That's What It Takes" | Jackie DeShannon | 4:17 |
8. | "No Such Luck" | Grady Walker, Harry Garfield | 3:44 |
9. | "Losin' End" | 4:11 | |
10. | "Believe in It" | 4:41 |
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 41 |
US Billboard 200[6] | 6 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7] | 10 |