1982 Michael McDonald – If That’s What It Takes
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.
Tracks
1 Playin’ By The Rules (Ed Sanford, Michael McDonald) 4:59
2 I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) (Ed Sanford, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Michael McDonald) 3:43
3 Love Lies (Randy Goodrum, Michael McDonald) 3:25
4 I Gotta Try (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald) 3:55
5 I Can Let Go Now (Michael McDonald) 2:56
6 That’s Why (Randy Goodrum, Michael McDonald) 4:26
7 If That’s What It Takes (Jackie DeShannon, Michael McDonald) 4:19
8 No Such Luck (Grady Walker, Harry Garfield, Michael McDonald) 3:48
9 Losin’ End (Michael McDonald) 4:14
10 Believe In It (Michael McDonald) 4:40
Musicians
1 Playin’ By The Rules
| Bass | Willie Weeks |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Sax | Edgar Winter |
| Percussion | Bob LaKind |
| Percussion | Lenny Castro |
2 I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)
| Bass | Louis Johnson |
| Drums | Jeffrey Porcaro |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Clavinet | Greg Phillinganes |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael McDonald |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
3 Love Lies
| Bass | Willie Weeks |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael McDonald |
| Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Percussion | Paulinho Da Costa |
4 I Gotta Try
| Bass | Willie Weeks |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Fender Rhodes | Greg Phillinganes |
| Piano | Michael McDonald |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Synthesizer | Michael Boddicker |
| Percussion | Paulinho Da Costa |
| Percussion | Ted Templeman |
| Background Vocals | Kenny Loggins |
5 I Can Let Go Now
| Piano | Michael McDonald |
6 That’s Why
| Bass | Mike Porcaro |
| Drums | Jeffrey Porcaro |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Guitar (solo) | Robben Ford |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael Omartian |
| Piano | Michael McDonald |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Sax | Tom Scott |
| Background Vocals | Amy Holland |
| Background Vocals | Brenda Russell |
| Background Vocals | Christopher Cross |
| Background Vocals | Kathy Walker |
| Background Vocals | Maureen McDonald |
7 If That’s What It Takes
| Bass | Willie Weeks |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Guitar (solo) | Robben Ford |
| Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael McDonald |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Percussion | Lenny Castro |
8 No Such Luck
| Bass | Mike Porcaro |
| Drums | Jeffrey Porcaro |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael Omartian |
| Piano | Michael McDonald |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Sax | Edgar Winter |
| Percussion | Lenny Castro |
9 Losin’ End
| Bass | Willie Weeks |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael McDonald |
| Organ | Greg Phillinganes |
| Lyricon | Tom Scott |
10 Believe In It
| Bass | Willie Weeks |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael McDonald |
| Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Michael McDonald |
| Sax | Edgar Winter |
| Percussion | Lenny Castro |
Other Musicians
| Synthesizer | Michael Boddicker |
Liner Notes
Producer – Lenny Waronker, Ted Templeman
Arranged By (Horns) – Jerry Hey
Arranged By (Strings) – Marty Paich
Coordinator – Joan Parker, Kathy Walker, Vicki Fortson
Engineer – Donn Landee (Tracks 2), Jim Isaacson (Tracks 5, 6, 8), Lee Herschberg (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
Engineer (Mastering) – Bobby Hata
Engineer (Mixdown) – Lee Herschberg
Engineer (Overdub) – Donn Landee, Jim Isaacson, Lee Herschberg, Mark Linett
Engineer (Second) – Ken Deane, Stephen McManus
Technician (Keyboard) – Paul Medeiros
Art Direction, Design – Jeff Adamoff
Photography – Jim Shea
Mastered At Warner Bros Recording Studios
Recorded At Warner Bros Recording Studios
Recorded At Sunset Sound
Recorded At Ocean Way Recording
Phonographic Copyright Warner Bros Records Inc
Copyright Warner Bros Records Inc