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Whatever (En Vogue song)

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"Whatever"
Song

"Whatever" is a song by American female vocal group En Vogue. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Keith Andes, and Giuliano Franco for band'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. A moderate success, it reached the top ten in Canada and on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while peaking within the top twenty in Finland, the United Kingdom and on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Whatever" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 units.

Background

"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]

Music video

The horror movie-inspired music video, 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]

Formats and track listings

Credits

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[25] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b EV3 (Media notes). En Vogue. Elektra Records. 1997. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |titlelink= ignored (|title-link= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Holding On". Vibe. January 1, 1998. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  3. ^ "En Vogue: Whatever", UK CD Single at EIL
  4. ^ En Vogue - Whatever (The Dance Remixes) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  5. ^ En Vogue – Whatever (Lemon D & Roni Size Remixes) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  6. ^ AUS Charts > En Vogue. ARIA Charts.
  7. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  8. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9879." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  9. ^ "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  10. ^ "En Vogue: Whatever" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – En Vogue" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  12. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "En Vogue – Whatever". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". officialcharts.com.
  17. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  18. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  20. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  21. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  22. ^ "En Vogue Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  23. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1997". RPM. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  24. ^ "1997 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  25. ^ "American single certifications – En Vogue – Whatever". Recording Industry Association of America.
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