Whatever (En Vogue song)

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"Whatever"
Single by En Vogue
from the album EV3
B-side"It's About Love"
ReleasedJune 2, 1997 (1997-06-02)
GenreFunk
Length4:22
LabelEastWest
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Babyface
En Vogue singles chronology
"Don't Let Go (Love)"
(1996) 		"Whatever"
(1997) 		"Too Gone, Too Long"
(1997)
Music video
"Whatever" on YouTube

"Whatever" is a song by American female vocal group En Vogue. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Keith Andes, and Giuliano Franco for the group’s third studio album, EV3 (1997), while production was helmed by Edmonds, featuring additional production by Franco. Selected and released as the album's second single, it was the final single from EV3 to precede the release of its parent album. "Whatever" reached the top 10 in Canada and on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart while peaking within the top 20 in Finland, the United Kingdom, and on the Billboard Hot 100. "Whatever" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 units.

Background[edit]

"Whatever" was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Keith Andes, and Giuliano Franco, while production was overseen by Edmonds.[1] Franco served as a co-producer on the song.[1] As with most on EV3, "Whatever" marked a breakaway for En Vogue who had worked exclusively with their founders Foster & McElroy throughout most of their career.[2] As the album was nearing completion, Dawn Robinson chose to leave the group in April 1997 for a solo recording contract with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records after difficult contractual negotiations reached a stalemate.[2] Her abrupt departure from the band forced the remaining trio to re-record several of her original lead vocals; however, not every track was re-recorded, with Robinson's backing vocals remaining intact on "Whatever".[2]

Critical reception[edit]

AllMusic editor Leo Stanley noted that on the track, Babyface is "funkier than [on] his previous work".[3] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "slap-happy funk throw-down that elevates them miles above the glut of new-jill girl groups they've inspired." He remarked that "despite being reduced to a trio, the act doesn't miss a note vocally. Their harmonies remain distinctive and lush, thanks in large part to the savvy production of Babyface and Giuliano Franco. They dress the act in immediately insinuating beats, ear-grabbing keyboard loops, and guitar licks."[4] J.D. Considine for Entertainment Weekly felt the lyrics to "Whatever" "depict a state of frustrated desire".[5] A reviewer from Music Week rated it three out of five, viewing it as a "less instant, more downtempo funky groove".[6] The magazine's Alan Jones complimented it as "a sweet jillswing groove that benefits from increasingly complex vocal interplay as it unfolds. It is unlikely to make the same kind of impression as Don't Let Go (Love), but will still be a big hit in the UK."[7]

Gerald Martinez from New Straits Times declared "Whatever" as a "midtempo and funky tune with a catchy chorus."[8] John Mulvey from NME stated that it "retains a frankly terrifying power", noting "the sprung minimalism".[9] Laura Jamison from Salon Magazine said that Babyface is "concocting a pop song jammed with hooks that don't require profound emotion – perfect for En Vogue. These women can all sing, so when they get an opportunity to wail, they sound great."[10] Ann Powers from Spin wrote that "stroking their tender buttons" in the song, En Vogue "bring it all back to the basics of gorgeous harmonies and mind-boggling vocal riffs." She also added Babyface transforming the background vocals of the track "into android-precise sonic effects that bring out the eeriness in En Vogue's flawless form."[11] Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror stated that the hit singles "Whatever" and "Don't Let Go (Love)" may well be brilliant but they only add more spice to a mighty fine collection."[12]

Music video[edit]

The horror movie-inspired music video for "Whatever", directed by Matthew Rolston, features the girls and the doctors disguised as zombies in a modern beauty salon with "Thriller-esque hair and makeup".[2] They are surrounded by doctors and nurses dressed in orange outfits performing various surgical procedures. Cindy Herron is shown pulling a face statue in a lightning filled hallway, while she begins the song covering up her face with a mask then removing to sing the first verse, replacing it back after the final chorus. Maxine Jones is seen singing in front of a three-way mirror in a blue dress. Terry Ellis sings in pale zombie-like makeup while wearing a beauty micrometer as a doctor attends to her. Several beauty enhancement procedures are shown in the video – face lifts, breast augmentation, even skin whitening. According to Vibe, the video was "not warmly received."[2]

Track listings[edit]

The Tumblin' Dice remix of "Whatever" features a rap from Ol' Dirty Bastard while the 200 Watts remix of "Don't Let Go (Love)" features Rah Digga.

Credits[edit]

  • Co-production – Giuliano Franco
  • Production – Babyface
  • Guitar – Mark Coleman
  • Programmed by Randy Walker
  • Engineered and mixed by Manny Marroquin
  • Produced for ECAF Productions, Inc.
  • Recorded at Brandon's Way Recording
  • Mixed at Brandon's Way Recording

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 20, 1997
EastWest [51]
United Kingdom June 2, 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [52]
Japan June 10, 1997 CD [53]
United States July 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [54]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b En Vogue (1997). EV3 (Media notes). EastWest Records.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Holding On". Vibe. January 1, 1998. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  3. ^ Stanley, Leo. "En Vogue – EV3". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  4. ^ Flick, Larry (May 24, 1997). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 54. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  5. ^ Considine, J.D. (June 20, 1997). "EV3". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. May 24, 1997. p. 18. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Jones, Alan (May 24, 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 18. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Martinez, Gerald (July 20, 1997). "En Vogue still outstanding". New Straits Times. p. 17. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Mulvey, John. "EN VOGUE – EV3". NME. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Jamison, Laura (July 18, 1997). "EN VOGUE – EV3". Salon Magazine. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  11. ^ Powers, Ann (August 1, 1997). "SPINS". Spin. p. 114. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  12. ^ Hyland, Ian (June 15, 1997). "Puff Daddy to Hit the B.I.G. Time". Sunday Mirror.
  13. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (US CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 64174-2.
  14. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (US cassette single sleeve). EastWest Records. 64174-4.
  15. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (US maxi-CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 2-63933.
  16. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). EastWest Records. 0-63933.
  17. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (US 12-inch remix single vinyl disc). EastWest Records. 0-63921.
  18. ^ "En Vogue: Whatever", UK CD Single at EIL
  19. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (UK 12-inch single sleeve). EastWest Records. E3642T, 7559-63642-0.
  20. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (UK cassette single sleeve). EastWest Records. E3642C, 7559-64156-4.
  21. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (European CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 7559-64154-9.
  22. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (Australian CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 7559641622.
  23. ^ En Vogue (1997). Whatever (Japanese CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. AMCY-2180.
  24. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  25. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  26. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9879." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  27. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3304." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 27. July 5, 1997. p. 13. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "En Vogue: Whatever" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  30. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – En Vogue" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  32. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  33. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  36. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  37. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  38. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  39. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  40. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  41. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  42. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  43. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  44. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved October 14, 2021 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  45. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Retrieved October 14, 2021 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  46. ^ "The Urban Top 40 Tracks of 1997" (PDF). Music Week. January 10, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  47. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  48. ^ "Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 42.
  49. ^ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 38.
  50. ^ "American single certifications – En Vogue – Whatever". Recording Industry Association of America.
  51. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1197. May 16, 1997. pp. 36, 42.
  52. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. May 31, 997. p. 33.
  53. ^ "ホワットエバー | アン・ヴォーグ" [Whatever | En Vogue] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  54. ^ Reynolds, J.R. (June 7, 1997). "En Vogue, Minus 1, Returns". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 23. p. 15. ...'Whatever' is slated for retail release in July.
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