1982 album by Michael McDonald
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.
All tracks written by Michael McDonald , with additional writers noted.
Side two Title Writer(s) 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
Michael McDonald – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 3, 4, 6–8, 10), Fender Rhodes (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), Fender Rhodes (4), Hammond organ (9)
Michael Boddicker – additional synthesizers (4)
Michael Omartian – Fender Rhodes (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)
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
^ Jason Elias. "If That's What It Takes - Michael McDonald | Songs, Reviews, Credits" . AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-21 .
^ 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" . 1982-09-30. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2015-09-21 .
^ 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, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 185. ISBN 0-646-11917-6 .
^ "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.
Studio albums Compilation albums Singles Related articles