Whatever It Takes (Leona Lewis song)

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. Lynn was assisted in the recording process by Lloyd Cooper (at Doppler Studios) and Tim Sturges (at Battery Studios). It was also mixed by Lynn at DARP Studios; Josh Houghkirk served as the assistant mixer. The song was produced by Novel and Dallas Austin. 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. Stephen Lowman and Stephen Ferrera performed drums, while Novel played the keyboard. "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. Lewis provides background vocals on the track, and the production process was overseen by Kimberly L. Smith. 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.

Composition and critical reception

"Whatever It Takes" is an upbeat, midtempo gospel-pop song which lasts for a duration of 3:27. The song was composed in the key of Eb major using common time at 96 beats per minute. Lewis' vocal range spans over two octaves from low note of Bb₃ to the high note of Bb₅. 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." A reviewer for The Sun also described the song as a "soaring anthem." Sarah-Louise James for the Daily Star wrote that although the element of gospel music has a nice outro, it "lacks real kick". 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." 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. 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."

Live performances

Lewis performed "Whatever It Takes" at the Rock in Rio festival held in Lisbon on 22 May 2010. It was also included as the fourth song on the set list of The Labyrinth. It was later included on the DVD release of the tour, called The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2. 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". 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.

Track listing

1. "Whatever It Takes" – 3:27

1. "Whatever It Takes" – 3:27

1. "Whatever It Takes" (Live from the 02) – 3:26

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Spirit.

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.