Whatever U Like
| "Whatever U Like" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Nicole Scherzinger featuring T.I. | ||||
| A-side | "Baby Love" | |||
| Released | July 30, 2007 | |||
| Format | ||||
| Recorded | 2007 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:53 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Writer(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Nicole Scherzinger singles chronology | ||||
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"Whatever U Like" is a song by American recording artist Nicole Scherzinger, featuring vocals by T.I.. The song was written by Scherzinger, Sean Garrett, Clifford Harris, Jamal Jones, and was produced by Polow da Don with co-production by Garrett. It was released on July 30, 2007 and was released as the first single from Scherzinger's unreleased studio album Her Name Is Nicole.
Background and composition
In May 2003, Scherzinger joined The Pussycat Dolls, a burlesque troupe, as a lead singer, when they were re-cast as recording artists.[1] With the success of the group's debut album, it brought Scherzinger into the media spotlight, which resulted in a series of duets and guest vocals with many male vocalists.[2] In 2006, Scherzinger later collaborated with Diddy on "Come to Me" which became Scherzinger's first solo top-ten hit on Billboard Hot 100.[3] Following the hiatus of the group, Scherzinger began working on a solo album.[4][5] The song made its premiere on Scherzinger's official website on July 10, 2007.[6]
Music and lyrics
"Whatever U Like" is an up-tempo R&B song produced by Polow da Don and Sean Garrett with a length of three minutes and fifty-two seconds.[7] It was written by Scherzinger, Garrett Hamler, Clifford Harris and Jamal Jones[8] in the musical key of (—).[citation needed] The song's beat was cited as containing the "distinctive Polow da Don sirens" that can also be found in Kelis' "Blindfold Me" (2006), a song also produced by Polow da Don.[9]
Critical reception
Rap-Up was one of the first media outlets to hear seven full tracks off the album including "Whatever U Like".[9] A reviewer described the song as a "club banger," while commented, "It’s a perfect lead single and a good song to release in the summer."[9] DJ Z from DJ Booth criticized the song for using the same beat and composition as Chilli's song "Straight Jack" writing: "Never a brilliant move to use a duplicate beat while dealing with a minor identity crisis, but if you’re Nicole Scherzinger, I guess it's OK?"[10] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine referred to the song while reviewing the Pussycat Dolls sophomore album Doll Domination (2008). He agreed with DJ Z writing it was a, "blatant rip-off of Kelis's 'Blindfold Me.'"[11] However he did write the song "was unjustly ignored."[11]
Chart performance
In the United States, "Whatever U Like" failed to make a chart appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it peaked at number 4 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, a component chart which represents the 25 songs which failed to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[12] It additionally stalled at number 73 on the US Digital Songs and number 83 on the US Pop Songs.[13] In Canada, the song fared better, managing to enter at the Canadian Hot 100 at number 63. In its third week the song peaked at number 57.[14]
Music video
The video was directed by Paul Hunter and was released on August 20. A 36 second introductory clip, followed by the full video leaked before its world premiere on Total Request Live and 106 & Park as of August 20, 2007. Leading for the management to post the video on Scherzinger's official site before its anticipated premiere at TRL.
Synopsis
The video begins with spotlights hitting a wall, with Scherzinger running from an unidentified person, revealed to be four masked kidnappers. Sean Garrett performs his opening sequence as Scherzinger is captured and concealed within a box, where she performs the first verse and chorus, before escaping the box. Scenes of Scherzinger floating through water (similar to Tamia's video for "Stranger in My House") are interspersed with her dancing before a spotlighted stage, and performing in front of a black background. Throughout the next chorus, Scherzinger is shown walking along a bench covered in steaming stones. During T.I.'s rap, the two are concealed in the box, with Scherzinger seductively crawling all over him. Next Scherzinger is shown covered in mud before standing beneath a shower washing it off. Different shots of the singer from the previous scenes are spliced together throughout the next chorus. Scherzinger is now shown in a black leather outfit during Sean Garrett's verse dancing before a backdrop, with spotlights shining on her, spliced with scenes of the producer rapping, her former assailants now dance in front of her. The video ends with Scherzinger leaving the backdrop.
Live performances
Scherzinger performed the song for the first time on the finale of the third season of the U.S. television show So You Think You Can Dance on August 17, 2007.[15] On September 9, 2007 Scherzinger performed the song along with Lil Wayne, who was filling for T.I. at the preshow of the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. Scherzinger was wearing a "red cocktail dress, black boots and leather gloves."[16] Gil Kaufman commented, "Before Brown had them pounding the stage in excitement or Britney had them scratching their heads in confusion, Pussycat Dolls lead kitten Nicole Scherzinger got the party started early during the preshow with a sizzling hookup with Lil Wayne." He continued, "They made an interesting team on a night that was full of many different varieties of hookups."[16] Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times agreed with Kaufman describing the performance as "one of the best musical moments came before the show started."[17]
Track listing
- Digital download[18]
- "Whatever U Like" featuring T.I. — 3:53
Personnel
- Nicole Scherzinger – songwriter and vocals
- T.I. (Clifford Harris) – songwriter and vocals
- Polow da Don (Jamal Jones) – songwriter and producer
- Sean Garrett – songwriter and producer
Credits adapted from "Baby Love" liner notes.
Charts
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] | 57 |
| Czech Republic (IFPI)[19] | 50 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[12] | 4 |
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[20] | 13 |
| US Pop Songs (Billboard)[13] | 83 |
| US Digital Songs (Billboard)[13] | 73 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada[21] | August 28, 2007 | digital download | A&M, Interscope Records |
| United States[22] |
References
- ↑ Kraines, Talia (2005-06-01). "Music – Review of the Pussycat Dolls – PCD". BBC (BBC Online). Retrieved 2011-08-31.
- ↑ "Shaggy - Clothes Drop CD Album". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 2013-06-02.
- ↑ "Nicole Scherzinger Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Nicole Scherzinger Sets Release Date For ‘Her Name Is Nicole’ Solo Debut". popdirt.com. August 3, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
- ↑ "Nicole Scherzinger chooses Christina Milian". Musiqueradio.com. June 3, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
- ↑ "Nicole Scherzinger : News : "Whatever U Like" feat. T.I". Nicolescherzingermusic.com. 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ↑ "Whatever U Like [Digital Single] – Nicole Scherzinger". AllMusic. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
- ↑ "Whatever U Like (Nicole Scherzinger) BMI Work #9090800". BMI Repertoire (Broadcast Music Incorporated). Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Nicole Scherzinger Album Preview". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ↑ DJ Z. "Nicole Scherzinger - Whatever U Like ft. T.I.". DJ Booth. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cinquemani, Sal (September 22, 2008). "Pussycat Dolls: Doll Domination". Music Review (Slant Magazine). Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Bubbling Under Hot 100 – Issue Date: 2008-09-27". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Cohen, Jonathan. "Billboard Bits: Nicole Scherzinger, Polvo, MySpace". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Nicole Scherzinger – Whatever U Like". aCharts. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
- ↑ "Nicole Scherzinger : News : Watch Nicole Scherzinger perform on So You Think You Can Dance FINALE TONIGHT!". Nicolescherzingermusic.com. 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Kaufman, Gil (September 10, 2007). "Britney Spears Kicks Off Show, But VMA Night Belongs To Rihanna And Justin Timberlake". MTV News (MTV Networks). Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- ↑ Sanneh, Kalefa (September 10, 2007). "For MTV, the Best May Have Been Off-Camera". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ↑ "Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) - Single de Nicole Scherzinger - Télécharger Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) - Single sur iTunes". iTunes. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ↑ "Nicole Scherzinger – Whatever U Like – Top 100 Charts". IFPI. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
- ↑ "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Issue Date: 2007-08-25". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ↑ "Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) - Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ↑ "Whatever U Like (feat. T.I.) - Single by Nicole Scherzinger". iTunes. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
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