Giving Myself
| "Giving Myself" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"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]
- Songwriting – Robin Thicke
- Production – Robin Thicke, Pro Jay
- Recording – Bill Molina
- Backing vocals – Robin Thicke
- Drums – Pro Jay
- Guitar – Tony Reyes
- Organ – Larry Cox
- Mixing – Rich Travali
- Mastering – Chris Gehringer
Chart performance
Weekly charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] | 84 |
References
- ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban AC". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. June 2, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Jennifer Hudson (Media notes). Jennifer Hudson. J Records. 2008.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|titlelink=ignored (|title-link=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ 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.
- ^ "Robin Thicke on J.Hud: Touring Will Be Cathartic E! Online Interview". E! Online. October 6, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ Guerra, Joey (September 29, 2008). "Getting Back To Music". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Freedom du Lac, J. (September 30, 2008). "Jennifer Hudson's Prime Time". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Levine, Nick (September 29, 2008). "Jennifer Hudson: Jennifer Hudson". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ "Jennifer Hudson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
External links
- JenniferHudsonOnline.com — official site