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.

Quick Facts If That's What It Takes, Studio album by Michael McDonald ...

If That's What It Takes
Studio album by Michael McDonald
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
If That's What It Takes (1982) No Lookin' Back (1985)
Singles from If That's What It Takes
"I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" Released: August 1982 "I Gotta Try" Released: November 1982 "Playin' By The Rules" Released: February 1983

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More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[2]
Rolling Stone	[3]
The Village Voice	C+[4]

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All tracks written by Michael McDonald, with additional writers noted.

• 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