Whatever It Takes (Leona Lewis song)

Last updated

"Whatever It Takes"
Song by Leona Lewis
from the album Spirit
Studio DARP Studios, Atlanta, GA; Doppler Studios, Atlanta, GA; Battery Studios, New York City
Genre Gospel-pop
Length3:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Leona Lewis
  • Novel Stevenson
  • Tony Reyes
Producer(s)
Audio video
"Whatever It Takes" on YouTube

"Whatever It Takes" is a song by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis from her debut studio album, Spirit (2007). Lewis co-wrote it with Tony Reyes and Novel; the latter also co-produced it with Dallas Austin. It was the first song to be written for Spirit and one of only two songs on the album to involve Lewis in the writing process. It is a gospel-pop-influenced track. The song garnered a mixed response from music critics; it was praised for its upbeat instrumentation but criticised for lacking any "kick". Upon the release of Spirit, the song debuted at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart due to strong digital download sales. Lewis has performed the song at the 2010 Rock in Rio and on her debut concert tour, The Labyrinth. It was later included on the subsequent DVD release called The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2 .

Contents

Recording and production

Co-written by Lewis with Novel and Tony Reyes, "Whatever It Takes" was recorded at DARP Studios and Doppler Studios, both located in Atlanta, Georgia and at Battery Studios in New York City, by Carlton Lynn. [1] Lynn was assisted in the recording process by Lloyd Cooper (at Doppler Studios) and Tim Sturges (at Battery Studios). [1] It was also mixed by Lynn at DARP Studios; Josh Houghkirk served as the assistant mixer. [1] The song was produced by Novel and Dallas Austin. [1] A variety of instrumentalists were enlisted for the production of "Whatever It Takes": Eddie Horst was the string arranger, while Kenn Wagner, Olga Shiptko, Amy Chang and William Pu performed violins, Karen Freer and Daniel Laufer provided cello and co-writer Reyes played the guitar. [1] Stephen Lowman and Stephen Ferrera performed drums, while Novel played the keyboard. [1] "Whatever It Takes" makes use of a choir, which consists of Tawatha Agee, Vanesse Thomas, Cindy Mizelle, Michelle Cobbs, Robin Clark, "Bibi" Straughn, Tammy Lucas, Billy Porter, Bennie Diggs and Fonzi Thornton; Thornton was enlisted as the vocal contractor. [1] Lewis provides background vocals on the track, and the production process was overseen by Kimberly L. Smith. [1] As she introduced the track before performing it on her debut concert tour The Labyrinth (2010), Lewis revealed that "Whatever It Takes" was the first song to be written for Spirit. [2]

Composition and critical reception

"Whatever It Takes" is an upbeat, midtempo gospel-pop song [3] [4] which lasts for a duration of 3:27. [5] The song was composed in the key of E♭ major using common time at 96  beats per minute. [6] Lewis' vocal range spans over two octaves from low note of B♭3 to the high note of B♭5. [6] The song garnered a mixed response from music critics. Nate Chinen for The New York Times was complimentary of "Whatever It Takes", writing that it is an "upbeat anthem." [3] Nick Levine was for Digital Spy wrote "'Whatever It Takes' is anchored by a rhythm track that wouldn't shame a boy-racer cruising through Harlem in his pimped-up ride." [4] However, he noted that "Whatever It Takes" and "Best You Never Had" were Spirit's only uptempo moments, and that Lewis tries to emulate her contemporaries too closely. [4] Kitty Empire for The Guardian was critical of the song, writing that "Not even Dallas Austin – who has worked with Sugababes – can make 'Whatever It Takes' any fun." [7]

Live performances

Lewis performed "Whatever It Takes" at the Rock in Rio festival held in Lisbon on 22 May 2010. [8] It was also included as the fourth song on the set list of The Labyrinth. [2] It was later included on the DVD release of the tour, called The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2 . [2] Lewis performed the song in the first section of the set list, along with "Brave" as the opener, "Don't Let Me Down", "Better in Time" and "Take a Bow". [2] The set was decorated in the style of a castle; acrobats performed as they were hanging from the ceiling on large pieces of fabric while Lewis wore a gold sequined dress and thigh-high boots. [9]

Track listing

Spirit standard/deluxe edition [5] [10]
  1. "Whatever It Takes" – 3:27
Spirit United States standard/deluxe version [11] [12]
  1. "Whatever It Takes" – 3:27
The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2 [2]
  1. "Whatever It Takes" (Live from the 02) – 3:26

Credits and personnel

Recording
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Spirit. [1]

Charts

Upon the release of Spirit, "Whatever It Takes" debuted at number 61 on the strength of digital download sales in the chart issue released on 24 November 2007. [13]

Chart (2007)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [13] 61

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run (Snow Patrol song)</span> 2004 song by Snow Patrol

"Run" is a song by Scottish-Northern Irish alternative rock band Snow Patrol from their third studio album, Final Straw (2003). It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 February 2004 as the second single from the album. The song was conceived in 2000 by frontman Gary Lightbody after an accident he had during a bender. "Run" is described as a Britpop power ballad and was received with positive reviews by music critics, who compared it with Coldplay's "Yellow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leona Lewis</span> British singer (born 1985)

Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter, actress, and model. Born and raised in Islington, Inner London, she later attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon. Lewis achieved national recognition when she won the third series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music. Her winner's single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This", peaked at number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart and broke a world record by reaching 50,000 digital downloads within 30 minutes. In February 2007, Lewis signed a five-album contract in the United States with Clive Davis's record label, J Records.

<i>Spirit</i> (Leona Lewis album) 2007 studio album by Leona Lewis

Spirit is the debut studio album by English singer Leona Lewis, released by Syco Music in November 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, followed by a worldwide release during early 2008. The album made Lewis the first UK solo artist to debut at number one with a debut album, in the US, on 26 April 2008. Spirit became the fastest-selling debut album in the UK, at time of release. It also became the fastest album to sell one million copies by a solo female in the UK. The album remains the best-selling debut album by a female artist in the UK, and is one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history. Spirit is officially the best-selling debut album by a female artist in the 21st century, according to the Official Charts Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Footprints in the Sand (Leona Lewis song)</span> 2008 single by Leona Lewis

"Footprints in the Sand" is a song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). It was written by Simon Cowell, David Kreuger, Per Magnusson, Richard Page, and produced by Steve Mac. The song was digitally released as Lewis's third single on 9 March 2008 in the United Kingdom. Sony BMG and Syco Music launched it as a double A-side with "Better in Time", and "You Bring Me Down" as the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leona Lewis discography</span>

English singer Leona Lewis has released five studio albums, twenty-seven singles, one live video album, one extended play and twenty-six music videos. After winning the third series of British television talent show, The X Factor in 2006, Lewis released "A Moment Like This" in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which became the fastest selling single ever by a female artist in the UK. Her follow-up single, "Bleeding Love" reached number one in 35 countries, and was the biggest-selling single of 2008 worldwide. The song has had over two billion streams. Lewis's first studio album, Spirit was released to follow the single; it became the fastest-selling debut album of all time in the UK and Ireland, and the first debut album by a British solo artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. As of April 2012, Spirit is the 20th biggest-selling album of all time in the UK. The next single, "Better in Time", was also successful worldwide, reaching the top ten in many countries. Subsequent singles "Forgive Me" and "Run" were released across Europe and Australia; "Forgive Me" went on to moderate success, while "Run" became Lewis's third number one in the UK, and also reached the top spot in Austria and Ireland. "I Will Be" was released as the final single in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Will Be (song)</span> 2009 single by Leona Lewis

"I Will Be" is a song written and originally recorded by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne for her third studio album The Best Damn Thing (2007). It appeared on select editions of the album as a bonus track before English singer Leona Lewis covered it for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). Max Martin and Lukasz Gottwald co-wrote the song, whilst production was helmed by Gottwald under his production name Dr. Luke. It is a piano and guitar-led ballad. The song was sent to contemporary hit radio as the fourth US single, and seventh and final single from Spirit on January 6, 2009, by J Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forgive Me (Leona Lewis song)</span> 2008 single by Leona Lewis

"Forgive Me" is a song by British singer Leona Lewis featured on the North American version, the australian reissue, and on the deluxe edition of her debut album Spirit (2008). Musically, "Forgive Me" is a pop track with dance influences, written in A minor. The lyrics tell the story of a girl who has found a new love and asks her old one for forgiveness. The song was written by Aliaune "Akon" Thiam, Claude Kelly and Giorgio Tuinfort, and produced by the former. "Forgive Me" was released as the fourth single of the album in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2008. The single includes the B-side "Myself", written by and featuring vocals of American musician Novel.

<i>Echo</i> (Leona Lewis album) 2009 studio album by Leona Lewis

Echo is the second studio album by English singer Leona Lewis. It was released on 9 November 2009 including 16 November in the United Kingdom, and 17 November 2009 in the United States. Its worldwide release was through Sony Music. The album charted across the globe, including the US, UK, Canada, across Europe, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, with commercial success.

"Outta My Head" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her second studio album Echo (2009). The track was written by Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and Johan "Shellback" Schuster, and produced by the latter two. It is an electropop song with Eurodance influences, and its compositional structure is noticeably different from the other songs on Echo. The instrumentation consists of keyboard riffs and beats, instead of pianos and guitars which are used on the other songs. The chorus of "Outta My Head" was compared to the works of Australian singer Kylie Minogue and German group Cascada due to its Eurodance style. It debuted and peaked at number 98 on the Slovakian Singles Chart upon the release of Echo. Lewis has performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and it was included on the set list of her debut concert tour, The Labyrinth (2010).

"I See You " is the official theme song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis for the 2009 film Avatar, directed by James Cameron, and its accompanying soundtrack (2009). It was written by James Horner and Kuk Harrell, with production done by Simon Franglen. A pop inspired ballad, the lyrics, which reflect the story line of the film, are about love, emotion and power. The song received multiple comparisons to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On", which is the official theme song written by Horner for another film directed by Cameron, Titanic (1997). Lewis has performed the song on So You Think You Can Dance and Today, and it was included on the set list of her debut concert tour, The Labyrinth (2010). It peaked at number 47 on the Irish Singles Chart and number 24 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Got You (Leona Lewis song)</span> 2009 single by Leona Lewis

"I Got You" is a song recorded by English singer Leona Lewis for her second studio album Echo (2009). It was written by Arnthor Birgisson, Max Martin and Savan Kotecha, with production helmed by Birgisson. The song is a pop and R&B ballad, whose instrumentation consists of guitars and synthesizers. It was released as the second and final single from Echo on 1 November 2009, by Syco Music and J Records.

<i>The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2</i> 2010 live album by Leona Lewis

The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2 is a live and first video album by English singer Leona Lewis and was recorded on 18 June 2010 in London, while Lewis performed at her tour The Labyrinth. It was released on 29 November 2010 with a 10 track live CD, and a Blu-ray version was also released. The recording was broadcast on UK television channel Watch on 3 December 2010. It entered the Official UK Music Video Chart at number 4 on 5 December 2010. It has thus far spent 12 weeks in the UK Top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collide (Leona Lewis and Avicii song)</span> 2011 single by Leona Lewis and Avicii

"Collide" is a song performed by British recording artist Leona Lewis and Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii. It was written by Tim Bergling, Simon Jeffes, Arash Pournouri, Autumn Rowe, Sandy Wilhelm, with production helmed by Wilhelm under his production name Sandy Vee and Youngboyz. "Collide" is a house-inspired love song with instrumentation consisting of piano riffs and a guitar. The song was recorded for Lewis' third studio album Glassheart, but was not included on the album's final track listing.

<i>Glassheart</i> 2012 studio album by Leona Lewis

Glassheart is the third studio album by English singer Leona Lewis, released on 12 October 2012 by Syco Music. Glassheart was conceived in 2010 shortly after the completion of Lewis' first headline tour, The Labyrinth. Recording and production took place in Denver, Los Angeles and London; originally the album was due for release in November 2011 but was pushed back several times to accommodate new recording sessions and allow more creative time. The album was the first – and so far only – of Lewis' albums not released in North America.

"Glassheart" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her third studio album of the same name (2012). The song was conceptualised by Lewis and frequent collaborator Ryan Tedder at his family home in Denver, Colorado. As she was experiencing a stressful time in her life, Lewis wanted to create an uptempo dance track with Tedder as she felt a ballad would make her more upset. It was co-written by Lewis and Tedder alongside Brent Kutzle, Noel Zancanella, Justin Franks, Fis Shkreli and Peter Svensson. Production of the song was handled by Tedder and Franks, with the latter credited under his production alias DJ Frank E. It was co-produced by Zancanella, Kutzle and Shkreli.

"Homeless" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Darin from his studio album, Break the News (2006). The song was written by Swedish songwriter Jörgen Elofsson and produced by Steve Mac.

"Take a Bow" is a song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). It was written by Jordon Omley, Michael Mani, Wayne Wilkins, Louis Biancaniello and Ryan Tedder. Tedder explained that he wanted to create an edgy song for Lewis so that it would not be boring or predictable. A Contemporary R&B and urban song, the lyrics focus the failure of a relationship. Its composition features an Ebb and Flo groove and received several comparisons to "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovebird (song)</span> 2012 single by Leona Lewis

"Lovebird" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her third studio album Glassheart (2012). It was written by Bonnie McKee, Joshua "Ammo" Coleman and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, and produced by Josh Abrahams, Ammo and Oligee. "Lovebird" was recorded at Pulse Recording in Los Angeles and is a power ballad, incorporating a piano and synth-driven melody. The lyrics consist of Lewis informing her past lover that enough time has passed since their relationship for her to have moved on and to have developed as a person. Critics praised Lewis' vocal performance, likening her technical abilities to those of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The musical structure of the song was heavily compared to one of her previous singles, "Bleeding Love", along with songs performed by Adele. The accompanying music video shows Lewis trying to escape from a giant bird cage.

<i>I Am</i> (Leona Lewis album) 2015 studio album by Leona Lewis

I Am is the fifth studio album by English singer Leona Lewis. It was released on 11 September 2015, by Island Records after Lewis took leave from Syco Music in June 2014. Recording began in mid 2013, during the production of Lewis's first Christmas album and fourth studio album, Christmas, with Love (2013). Recording sessions resumed in January 2014 with producer Poet, Toby Gad and Wayne Wilkins. I Am is preceded by the release of "Fire Under My Feet" and the album's title track except for in the United States where "Thunder" precedes the album. The album reached top 40 in multiple countries, including US, United Kingdom, Spain and Germany.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Spirit (inlay cover). Leona Lewis. Sony BMG, J Records, Syco. 2007. 8 86970 25542 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "'The Labyrinth Tour – Live from the O2' – Leona Lewis". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  3. 1 2 Chinen, Nate (7 April 2008). "New CDs". The New York Times . Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Levine, Nick (12 November 2007). "Leona Lewis: 'Spirit'". Digital Spy . Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Spirit – Leona Lewis". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Digital Sheet Music, Leona Lewis 'Whatever It Takes'". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Music Publishing. 2007.
  7. ↑ Empire, Kitty (4 November 2007). "The flesh is willing but the spirit is weak". The Guardian . Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Leona Lewis Setlist at Rock In Rio Lisboa 2010". SetlistFM. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Wright, Jade (1 June 2010). "Review: Leona Lewis at ECHO arena Liverpool". Liverpool Echo . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "'Spirit' (Deluxe Version) – Leona Lewis". iTunes Store (Great Britain). Apple. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "'Spirit' – Leona Lewis". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  12. ↑ "'Spirit' (Deluxe edition) – Leona Lewis". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.