If That's What It Takes (album)

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.

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

Personnel

 * 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)

Production

 * 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