Giving Myself

"Giving Myself"
Single by Jennifer Hudson
from the album Jennifer Hudson
Released June 2, 2009
(see Release history)
Format Digital download
Genre Soul, pop
Length 4:15
Label Arista/J
Writer(s) Robin Thicke
Producer(s) Robin Thicke, Pro Jay
Jennifer Hudson singles chronology
"If This Isn't Love"
(2009)		 "Giving Myself"
(2009)		 "Where You At"
(2011)

"Giving Myself" is a song recorded by American recording artist Jennifer Hudson. It was written and produced by singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, along with his frequent co-producer Pro Jay, for her eponymous debut album, released in 2008. An eleventh hour replacement for Timbaland-produced "Pocketbook", the pop–soul ballad was selected as the album's third and final single and sent to US radios on June 2, 2009.[1] Upon release, it charted at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Background

"Giving Myself" is a pop–soul ballad written and produced by Robin Thicke, with co-production helmed by frequent collaborator Pro Jay.[2] Tony Reyes played the guitar and Larry Cox the organ while Thicke and Jay contributed Backing vocals and drums.[2] Rich Travali mixed the track, while audio recording of "Giving Myself" was overseen by Bill Molina.[2] Speaking about what motivated her to record the song, Hudson said: "It's unexpected from me, but it still is me. I love how [Thicke] allowed me to be me but introduced another side. He introduced a more vulnerable side vocally, but yet he put it with the ballad side of Jennifer."[3] In an interview with E! Online, Thicke also elaborated on the recording process, stating: "Luckily, her voice is ready to go at all times. She showed up, I had this great little song in the spirit of Whitney Houston, and she sat down next to me and I started singing it for her, and she loved it right off the bat. We got her behind the microphone and she Jennifer Hudson-ed it."[4]

Critical reception

Joey Guerra from Houston Chronicle felt that "Thicke's 'Giving Myself' is a nice surprise, an old-school diva ballad a la Stephanie Mills, Jennifer Holliday and Patti LaBelle,[5] while The Washington Post‍ '​s J. Freedom du Lac found, the song was "an emotional, devotional soul showcase, a classic piano ballad designed to show off Hudson’s big, brassy voice."[6] Digital Spy, on the other hand, called "Giving Myself" a "boring, sappy love song," which along with "You Pulled Me Through", "don't seem to belong on the same album as 'Pocketbook'."[7]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Jennifer Hudson.[2]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
scope="row"US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 84

References

  1. ↑ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban AC". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. June 2, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Jennifer Hudson (Media notes). Jennifer Hudson. J Records. 2008.
  3. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn; Kash, Tim (October 6, 2008). "Jennifer Hudson Escapes 'American Idol' And 'Dreamgirls' Cover Songs On Self-Titled Debut". MTV News. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Robin Thicke on J.Hud: Touring Will Be Cathartic E! Online Interview". E! Online. October 6, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  5. ↑ Guerra, Joey (September 29, 2008). "Getting Back To Music". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  6. ↑ Freedom du Lac, J. (September 30, 2008). "Jennifer Hudson's Prime Time". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  7. ↑ Levine, Nick (September 29, 2008). "Jennifer Hudson: Jennifer Hudson". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Jennifer Hudson Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Jennifer Hudson. Retrieved 2012-05-10.

External links