Whataya Want from Me explained

Whataya Want from Me
Cover:AdamLambert-WWFM-Cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Adam Lambert
Album:For Your Entertainment
Released:November 20, 2009
Recorded:September and October 2009
Studio:
  • Maratone (Stockholm)
  • House of Blues (Los Angeles)
  • Germano (New York City)
Genre:Rock
Length:3:47
Label:
Producer:
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Prev Title:For Your Entertainment
Prev Year:2009
Next Title:If I Had You
Next Year:2010

"Whataya Want from Me" is a song by American recording artist and American Idol eighth season runner-up Adam Lambert from his debut studio album, For Your Entertainment. It was released as the second single from the album. The song peaked at number ten[1] on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his highest charting single. The song was well received by music critics and charted within the top 10 of the charts in thirteen countries.

The rock song was written by Pink, Max Martin, and Shellback and was recorded by Pink for her fifth studio album, Funhouse, but did not make it to the final cut.[2] [3] Lambert's vocal performance of the song received a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

The song was included on the set list of Lambert's first concert tour, the 2010 Glam Nation Tour where he performed an acoustic rendition of it during the "ballad" section of the show. The song is also featured as one of the numbers in the 2019 jukebox musical & Juliet.

Background

The track was originally recorded and co-written by Pink for the album Funhouse but did not make the final cut.[4] On November 18, 2009, Lambert announced via his official website that his second single from his debut album would be "Whataya Want from Me". The song was the second single announced before the CD was officially available to the public.[5] The song became available as a legal download in the United States on November 20, 2009, when the album was officially released.

In 2010, Pink's recording appeared exclusively on the German and Australian releases of her first greatest hits compilation album, Greatest Hits... So Far!!!.

Critical reception

"Whataya Want from Me" has received generally favorable reviews. Jonathan Keefe from Slant Magazine praised the song and called it "phenomenally well-crafted pop single(s) that give Lambert the opportunity to shine".[6] In the Houston Chronicle, Joey Guerra wrote that the song "...[is] probably the disc's most straightforward cut, with a bit of a Backstreet Boys vibe. Not bad".[7] Huffington Post noted that this song deploys "some tired pop cliches" in the chorus but continued praising "one of the album's more poignant emotional statements, anticipating the heavy burden of expectations the singer is likely to carry while expressing vulnerable appreciation for the acceptance he has received."[8] AllMusic called this song "terrific pop tune" and "P!nk's pained [song]".[9] Entertainment Weekly was also positive by calling it "hooky, heartfelt lament".[10] Detroit News wrote "Credit Team Lambert for pairing him with a host of top-notch, like-minded collaborators" including Pink.[11] LA Times praised that singing is "pleading and soulful."[12] On the other hand, Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune disliked the song and wrote "Lambert throws his hands up in the whiny 'Whataya Want from Me', a trifle from the team of Pink and Britney Spears svengali Martin."[13] [14] This song took 22nd place on "Top 100 'American Idol' Hits of All Time" by Billboard.[15]

Chart performance

"Whataya Want from Me" debuted at number 72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on the week of January 2, 2010.[16] [17] Following his appearance as a mentor on American Idol (season 9), the song reached number ten, becoming Lambert's second Top 20 single (the first being his cover of "Mad World", which peaked at number nineteen) and first Top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100. As of January 2014, the single had sold approximately 2,006,000 copies within the US.[18]

The song is the only Adam Lambert song to appear in the Billboard Year-end, ranking at number forty-five in 2010.

Promotion

To promote the album's release, several songs from the album were performed live on AOL Sessions – including "Whataya Want from Me".[19] Following Lambert's American Music Awards of 2009 performance of "For Your Entertainment", Lambert was dropped from a few upcoming performances and shows, including Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Lambert started a very long string of interviews and performances to address the controversy and promote his new single.

"Whataya Want from Me" made its live debut on CBS's The Early Show on November 25, 2009. He performed two songs, and did a live interview discussing his performance at the American Music Awards that caused much controversy. In addition to "Whataya Want from Me", he performed "Music Again". His appearance on the morning show drew fans from all over the world to come watch him live.[20]

Lambert performed "Whataya Want from Me" on Late Show with David Letterman on November 25, 2009.[21]

Lambert was interviewed and performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 1, 2009.[21]

After much controversy with ABC canceling several of Lambert's performances (and due to accusations of homophobia on the behalf of the network), the network finally decided to let Lambert interview and perform on The View. As a precaution, they pre-taped the interview and performance, to prevent any mishaps or improvisation with Lambert's performance, and to avoid a repeat of his AMA performance. He performed on December 10, 2009. The night before he was on Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009, also on ABC.[22]

Lambert performed on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on December 14, 2009.[23]

Lambert returned to his Fox roots with a live performance of his new single on the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance on December 16, 2009. He performed on the show with other performers including Jennifer Lopez, and Mary J. Blige. MTV called his performance "show-stopping".[24]

Lambert performed on The Jay Leno Show on December 21, 2009.[23] Adam also cleared up some rumors that were spread around over the past month.

Lambert performed and interviewed on The Oprah Winfrey Show on January 20, 2010.[25] It was his first performance of 2010, during which he discussed the controversy surrounding his AMA performance, his life since his rapid rise to fame, and his brief meeting with Madonna.[26]

Lambert performed it on the Australian morning program Sunrise. The interview can be viewed on the show's website.[27] The single has peaked within the top ten in Australia.

In March 2010, Lambert performed on VH1's "Unplugged", where he sang a stripped-down performance of this and other songs off his album.[28]

In April 2010, Lambert performed the song on American Idol, having acted as mentor to the Season 9 contestants during the "Elvis Theme Week".[29]

During April and May 2010, Lambert promoted the single internationally, performing on Finland's X Factor,[30] [31] in Sweden,[32] [33] in the Netherlands,[34] in Germany,[35] [36] in the UK on the GMTV morning show,[37] and in Switzerland.[38]

Music video

The music video for "Whataya Want from Me" was directed by Diane Martel and shot on December 20, 2009.[39] It premiered on January 15, 2010, on VH1. The video features Lambert becoming frustrated with his partner, which the audience cannot see (Some of the times, the camera/screen is being the eyes of his partner). There are also performance clips throughout the video of Lambert performing with his band. One scene features Lambert making his way through a crowd of paparazzi and fans into a car. At the beginning of the song, Lambert switches the TV off, and then begins singing "slow it down, whataya want from me," leading one interpretation to be that what he was watching was actually the AMAs.

Lambert himself explains in several interviews that this song is something that everyone can relate to: going through the stresses of a changing personal environment and its effects on a relationship. It is also a reflection of both his own personal life as a rock star as well as his relationship with his audience and fans. He can be seen having an argument throughout the video with the camera, presumably representing his significant other. In one scene, he walks away saying he has had it and his significant other packs their bags and leaves a frustrated Lambert alone and miserable. At the end of the video, he is shown very happily greeting the camera after waking up, hinting at a reconciliation. He also goes to explain in an interview with Pop Couture that the feel was intended to be more "accessible," unlike his "For Your Entertainment" video. This resulted in softer textures and less architectural styling, with the use of cotton and sweaters and the like.

Track listings

  1. "Whataya Want from Me" (Album Version) – 3:47
  2. "Whataya Want from Me" (Jason Nevins Electrotek Extended Mix) – 6:22
  1. "Whataya Want from Me" (Album Version) – 3:47
  2. "Whataya Want from Me" (Fonzerelli's New Romantic Club Mix) – 5:52
  1. "Whataya Want from Me" – 3:47
  2. "Whataya Want from Me" (Fonzerelli's Electro House Club Remix) – 5:52
  1. "Whataya Want from Me" (Brad Walsh's A-Vivir Mix) – 4:31
  2. "Whataya Want from Me" (Fonzerelli's Electro House Club Remix) – 5:52
  3. "Whataya Want from Me" (Jason Nevins Electrotek Extended Mix) – 6:22

Credits and personnel

Recording[40]

Personnel[40]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2010)Peak
position
Germany (Airplay Chart)[41] 1
Portugal (Billboard)[42] 5
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[43] 12
Spanish Airplay Chart[44] 20

Year-end charts

Chart (2010)Position
Australia (ARIA)[45] 40
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[46] 54
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[47] 11
Denmark (Tracklisten)[48] 37
Germany (Official German Charts)[49] 40
German Airplay Chart[50] 3
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[51] 23
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[52] 30
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[53] 28
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[54] 28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[55] 71
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 46
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 45
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[58] 14
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 10
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[60] 48
Chart (2011)Position
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[61] 107

Certifications

Release history

CountryDateFormat
United StatesNovember 20, 2009Mainstream radio airplay
Belgium[62] March 19, 2010Digital download
Ireland[63] April 9, 2010
Spain[64] April 12, 2010
Finland[65]
France[66]
Italy[67]
Netherlands[68]
Sweden[69]
Austria[70]
Norway[71]
Portugal[72]
Germany[73] April 23, 2010
Switzerland[74] April 30, 2010
GermanyApril 30, 2010CD single
AustraliaMay 3, 2010
United KingdomJuly 18, 2010[75]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Peak position Billboard Hot 100. .
  2. News: Whataya Want from Me by Adam Lambert Songfacts. November 30, 2009. Songfacts.com. January 1, 2010 .
  3. News: Adam Lambert 'For Your Entertainment,' Debut Album Released Monday, November 23, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20100106103230/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS246115+04-Nov-2009+PRN20091104. dead. January 6, 2010. Reuters. November 4, 2009. 2010-02-01.
  4. Web site: Australia's Official Music Charts. ARIA Charts. 2010-08-01.
  5. Web site: Adam's New Single "Whataya Want from Me" | The Official Adam Lambert Site. Adamofficial.com. 2010-02-01.
  6. News: Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment . Keefe . Jonatha . November 22, 2009 . . December 24, 2009 .
  7. News: Adam Lambert's 30-second tease(s) . Guerra . Joey . November 3, 2009 . Houston Chronicle . December 24, 2009 . March 16, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100316165453/http://blogs.chron.com/peep/2009/11/adam_lamberts_30second_teases.html . dead .
  8. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-vogel/review-lamberts-for-your_b_366296.html Review by Huffington Post
  9. http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-your-entertainment-mw0001336836 Review by Allmusic
  10. https://ew.com/article/2009/11/18/your-entertainment/ Entertainment Weekly review
  11. http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20091113/ENT04/911130457/Review--Adam-Lambert-s--For-Your-Entertainment--glams-it-up-greatly Detroit News
  12. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/album-review-adam-lamberts-for-your-entertainment.html Review by LA Times
  13. News: 'Idol' runner-up's debut sticks to the formula . Kot . Greg . November 24, 2009 . Chicago Tribune . December 24, 2009 .
  14. News: Album Review: 'For Your Entertainment' by Adam Lambert . Kot . Greg . November 24, 2009 . Chicago Tribune . December 26, 2013 .
  15. http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/1550614/top-100-american-idol-hits-of-all-time?list_page=7 Top 100 'American Idol' Hits of All Time by Billboard
  16. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=adam lambert|chart=Hot 100}} Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100 ]. Billboard . 2010-02-01.
  17. Ke$ha Clocks Her First Hot 100 No. 1 . Pietroluongo . Silvio . December 23, 2009 . . December 27, 2009 .
  18. Ask Billboard: Disney's Biggest Billboard Hits. .
  19. Web site: Adam Lambert Live Performance. aol.com. January 1, 2010. April 19, 2010. August 24, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110824085809/http://music.aol.com/video/whataya-want-from-me-sessions/adam-lambert/bc:66124731001. dead.
  20. News: Adam Lambert to Perform on "Early Show" . November 24, 2009 . . January 3, 2010 .
  21. Web site: Adam Lambert News – Updates, Blog, Fan Comments & More | The Official Adam Lambert Site . Adamofficial.com . 2010-02-01.
  22. News: ABC Still Afraid of Adam Lambert, Pretapes View Performance . Cady . Jennifer . December 10, 2009 . . January 3, 2010 .
  23. Web site: Adam Lambert News – Updates, Blog, Fan Comments & More | The Official Adam Lambert Site . Adamofficial.com . January 15, 2010 . 2010-02-01.
  24. News: Adam Lambert Steals The Show On 'So You Think You Can Dance' Finale . https://web.archive.org/web/20100124084218/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628435/20091217/lambert_adam_american_idol_.jhtml . dead . January 24, 2010 . Vena . Jocelyn . December 17, 2009 . MTV . January 3, 2010 .
  25. Adam Lambert Sits Down With Oprah . Billboard . September 14, 2009 . 2010-02-01.
  26. Web site: Adam Lambert's Rise to Fame. Oprah.com . January 19, 2010.
  27. Web site: Sunrise Videos Channel 7 – Yahoo!7 TV – Yahoo!7 TV . Au.tv.yahoo.com . 2010-08-01.
  28. Web site: Adam Lambert Unplugged. neonlimelight.com. March 11, 2010. April 19, 2010. March 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120318221747/http://neonlimelight.com/2010/03/11/adam-lambert-strips-down-in-breathtaking-vh1-unplugged-performances/. dead.
  29. Web site: American Idol 2010, Last Night Recap: Adam Lambert Mentors For Elvis Theme Night. timesnewsline.com. March 11, 2010.
  30. Web site: Adam Lambert Praises Finnish Fans, Talks If I Had You . Celebrity-gossip.net . May 3, 2010 . 2010-08-01.
  31. Web site: Adam Lambert in Finland: To Perform on X Factor Tonight . mjsbigblog . 2010-08-01.
  32. Web site: buffy522 . Adam Lambert in Sweden! « Randomize ME . Randomizeme.wordpress.com . March 31, 2010 . 2010-08-01.
  33. Web site: Adam Lambert in Stockholm Sweden " VIDEO – Adam Lambert Gossip . https://web.archive.org/web/20110425061651/http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Adam-Lambert-in-Stockholm-Sweden-VIDEO-2066379.html . usurped . April 25, 2011 . Celebrifi.com . 2010-08-01.
  34. Web site: Adam Lambert in Amsterdam! « Randomize ME . Randomizeme.wordpress.com . April 28, 2010 . 2010-08-01.
  35. Web site: Adam Lambert in Germany! « Randomize ME . Randomizeme.wordpress.com . March 30, 2010 . 2010-08-01.
  36. Web site: Adam Lambert – Morgenmagazin, Germany – VIDEO . mjsbigblog . 2010-08-01.
  37. Web site: More Adam Lambert in the UK – VIDEO . mjsbigblog . 2010-08-01.
  38. Web site: Adam Lambert in Switzerland: Unplugged, Unterrible . The Hollywood Gossip . May 4, 2010 . 2010-08-01.
  39. News: Adam Lambert Shooting 'Whataya Want from Me' Music Video . December 21, 2009 . . December 30, 2009 .
  40. . . 2009 . liner notes . RCA Records, Jive Records.
  41. Web site: Airplay Charts Deutschland – Woche 18/2010 . German Charts . 30 January 2017 .
  42. Portugal Digital Songs - Peak. Billboard. 19 May 2013.
  43. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: May 6, 2010. TopHit. April 30, 2024.
  44. Web site: Promusicae (Week: January 1, 2010). July 13, 2010.
  45. Web site: ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010. Australian Recording Industry Association. 2011-01-08.
  46. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2010. austriancharts.at. January 10, 2020.
  47. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2010. Billboard. April 26, 2020.
  48. Web site: Track 2010 Top-50 . Nielsen Music Control . September 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111011221439/http://www.hitlisterne.dk/yearlist.asp?list=download%2050 . 11 October 2011 . dead.
  49. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. April 26, 2020.
  50. http://germancharts.com/airplay_charts.asp German Airplay Chart
  51. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2010. April 26, 2020. Mahasz.
  52. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2010. Dutch Top 40. April 26, 2020.
  53. Web site: End of Year Charts 2010: NZ Official Top 40 Singles. . April 29, 2022.
  54. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2010. TopHit. 30 April 2024. 28 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240428163200/https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2010. live.
  55. Web site: Årslista Singlar – År 2010. Sverigetopplistan. sv. January 10, 2020.
  56. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2010 – hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. January 10, 2020.
  57. Billboard 2010 Year-End Hot 100. Billboard.
  58. Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2010. Billboard. September 26, 2019.
  59. Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2010. Billboard. September 26, 2019.
  60. Pop Songs – Year-End 2010. Billboard. September 26, 2019.
  61. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2011. TopHit. ru. March 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230310144359/https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/russia/annual/2011-01-01. March 10, 2023.
  62. https://archive.today/20120405193333/http://nl-be.7digital.com/artists/adam-lambert/whataya-want-from-me/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital België
  63. https://ie.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Ireland
  64. https://es.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Spain
  65. http://fi.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Finland
  66. http://fr.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital France
  67. http://it.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Italy
  68. http://nl.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Netherlands
  69. http://se.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Sweden
  70. http://at.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Austria
  71. http://no.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Norway
  72. http://pt.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Portugal
  73. http://de.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Germany
  74. http://de-ch.7digital.com/artist/adam-lambert/release/whataya-want-from-me-1/ Whataya Want From Me (2010) | Adam Lambert | MP3 downloads 7digital Switzerland
  75. Web site: Sony Music UK | Adam Lambert – Whataya Want from Me . Sonymusic.co.uk . 2010-08-01.

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