If That's What It Takes (album)

If That's What It Takes
Studio album by Michael McDonald
Released	August 1982
Recorded	Warner Bros. Recording Studio, N. Hollywood, CA and Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood Strings recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, 1981-1982
Genre	Pop, rock, funk, blue-eyed soul
Length	39:59
Label	Warner Bros. Records
Producer	Ted Templeman, Lenny Waronker
Michael McDonald chronology
If That's What It Takes (1982) No Lookin' Back (1985)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Rolling Stone	[2]

If That's What It Takes is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Michael McDonald. The album was released in August 1982.

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Playin' by the Rules" (McDonald, Ed Sanford)	4:55
2.	"I Keep Forgettin'" (McDonald, Ed Sanford, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller)	3:39
3.	"Love Lies" (McDonald, Randy Goodrum)	3:21
4.	"I Gotta Try" (McDonald, Kenny Loggins)	3:53
5.	"I Can Let Go Now" (McDonald)	2:54

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"That's Why" (McDonald, Randy Goodrum)	4:24
7.	"If That's What It Takes" (McDonald, Jackie De Shannon)	4:17
8.	"No Such Luck" (McDonald, Grady Walker, Harry Garfield)	3:44
9.	"Losin' End" (McDonald)	4:11
10.	"Believe in It" (McDonald)	4:41

Personnel

• Lead vocals: Michael McDonald
• Bass: Willie Weeks (1,3,4,7,9 and 10), Louis Johnson (2), Mike Porcaro (6 and 8)
• Drums: Steve Gadd (1,3,4,7,9 and 10), Jeff Porcaro (2,6 and 8)
• Guitar: Dean Parks (1,3,7,8 and 9), Steve Lukather (2,4,6,8 and 10), Robben Ford (solo on 6 and 7)
• Saxophone: Edgar Winter (solo on 1 and 10), Tom Scott (solo on 6)
• Alto saxophone: Edgar Winter (8)
• Percussion: Lenny Castro and Bobby LaKind (1), Lenny Castro and Paulinho Da Costa (3), Ted Templeman and Paulinho Da Costa (4), Lenny Castro (6,7,8 and 10)
• Piano: Greg Phillinganes (1,3,7,10), Michael McDonald (4,5,6,8)
• Clavinet: Greg Phillinganes (2)
• Organ: Greg Phillinganes (9)
• Fender Rhodes: Michael McDonald (1,2,3,7,9 and 10), Greg Phillinganes (4), Michael Omartian (6 and 7)
• Synthesizer: Michael McDonald (1-4, 6,7,8,10), Michael Boddicker (4)
• Lyricon: Tom Scott (solo on 9)
• Background vocals: Michael McDonald (1,3,4,6,7,8,10), Ed Sanford (1), Maureen McDonald (2,6), Kenny Loggins (4), Christopher Cross (6), Brenda Russell (6), Kathy Walker (6), Amy Holland (6)

Production

• Produced By Lenny Waronker & Ted Templeman
• Engineers: Ken Deane, Bobby Hata, Lee Herschberg, James Isaacson, Donn Landee, Mark Linett, Steve McManus
• Overdub Engineers: Lee Herschberg, James Isaacson, Donn Landee, Mark Linett
• Mixing: Lee Herschberg
• Mastering: Bobby Hata at Warner Bros. Recording Studio
• Horn arrangements: Jerry Hey
• String arrangements: Marty Paich
• Keyboard Technician: Paul Mederios
• Production Coordinators: Joan Parker, Kathy Walker and Vicki Fortson
• Art Direction and Design: Jeff Adamoff
• Photography: Jim Shea
• Direction: Irving Azoff

Charts

Chart (1982)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[3]	6
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[4]	10

References

1. Jason Elias. "If That's What It Takes - Michael McDonald | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
2. "If That's What It Takes : Michael McDonald : Review : Rolling Stone". Web.archive.org. 1982-09-30. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
3. "Michael McDonald – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Michael McDonald. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
4. "Michael McDonald – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Michael McDonald. Retrieved September 21, 2015.