Whatchulookinat Explained

Whatchulookinat
Cover:Whatchulookinat.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Whitney Houston
Album:Just Whitney
Released:[1]
Recorded:2002
B-Side:"Love to Infinity Megamix"
Label:Arista
Prev Title:The Star Spangled Banner
Prev Year:2001
Next Title:One of Those Days
Next Year:2002

"Whatchulookinat" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston. One of the few songs she co-wrote, co-writers include Michael Andre Lewis, Tammie Harris, and Jerry Muhammad. The track was produced by Houston's husband Bobby Brown and Muhammad 2G. Lyrically the song was aimed at critics that were attacking her image at the time.[2] It was serviced to radio on August 5, 2002, via Arista Records, as the lead single to her fifth studio album Just Whitney (2002). Multiple remixes were also made from producers such as Thunderpuss, Full Intention, and Junior Vasquez.

The track received mostly negative reviews from music critics and was an underwhelming success, only hitting number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 while cracking the top ten in five countries.

Composition

"Whatchulookinat" was produced by Bobby Brown and Muhammad 2G and written by Whitney Houston, Andre Lewis, Tammie Harris, Jerry Muhammad.

The song was Houston's response to what she felt was intense and sometimes unfair and inaccurate media criticism at the time. "My following is real strong/ Try so hard to show the whole world what I do/ Now I'm turnin' the cameras back on you/ Same spotlights that once gave me fame/ Tryin' to dirty up Whitney's name," Houston sings. She then laments about people who've been "messing with [her] reputation" and "concentration" and don't "even have no education" on the chorus, singing, "I feel your eyes on me/ You been telling lies on me".[3]

Critical reception

"Whatchulookinat" received generally negative reviews. Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine said, "This song co-produced by Bobby Brown and co-authored by Houston herself - comes across like a poor little rich girl whining. That's just boring.."[4] Rolling Stone said that the song was "creaky and unconvincing."[5] The Guardian wrote that on the song Houston "puts on in a bravura performance" while "sounding feisty".[6] Gerrick Kennedy, author of the book Didn't We Almost Have it All: In Defense of Whitney Houston, called the track a "grossly miscalculated" move as it opened more criticism to her personal life.[7] Vladimir Bogdanov of the book All Music Guide to Soul called out Houston for "playing the victim" and saying the track sounded like "she had something to hide."[8]

Chart performance

The single became a moderate success worldwide, peaking inside the top forty in most countries. The single performed strongly in some international markets; reaching number 3 in Canada, number 6 in both Belgium and Spain, number 7 in Italy and number 13 in the United Kingdom. In the US, it became her tenth Hot Dance Club Play topper.[9] The single debuted and peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her lowest debut since her first chart entry "Hold Me".[10] It is also her lowest-peaking lead single to date.

Music video

The corresponding music video directed by Kevin Bray was also considered as Houston's answer to the media for getting too deep into her personal life. During the introduction, actor/comedian Mike Epps plays an overzealous paparazzi photographers/fan who harasses Whitney as she exits the studio with Faith Evans. The inside of Epps' camera served as the fictional location of the video. The video showed a white set with cameras all over, following Houston's every move. The set was also full with old movie cameras and people dressed as reporters and photographers. Houston is shown dancing in front of them. Future Migos member Offset appears as a background dancer.[11]

Track listings and formats

US promo CD
  1. "Whatchulookinat" (album version) – 3:35
  2. "Whatchulookinat" (instrumental) – 3:33
US vinyl 12"
US 2×12" promo (Thunderpuss Remixes)
US 2x12"
European CD single
  1. "Whatchulookinat" (radio mix) – 3:35
  2. "Whatchulookinat" (P. Diddy Radio Mix) – 4:08
Europe Maxi-CD
  1. "Whatchulookinat" (radio mix) – 3:35
  2. "Whatchulookinat" (P. Diddy Radio Mix) – 4:08
  3. "Whatchulookinat" (Thunderpuss Club Mix) – 7:42
  4. "Whatchulookinat" (Full Intention Club Mix) –7:02
UK CD 1
  1. "Whatchulookinat" (radio mix) – 3:35
  2. "Whatchulookinat" (P. Diddy Radio Mix) – 4:08
  3. "Whatchulookinat" (Full Intention Club Mix) – 7:02
UK CD 2 (special edition)
  1. "Whatchulookinat" (radio edit) – 3:35
  2. "Love to Infinity Megamix" (Contains "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", "So Emotional", "I'm Your Baby Tonight", "I'm Every Woman" and "It's Not Right But It's Okay") – 9:22

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2002)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 53
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)48
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[13] 6
Canada (Nielsen Soundscan)[14] 3
Denmark (Tracklisten)12
France (SNEP)65
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 47
Greece (IFPI)[16] 9
Italy (FIMI)17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[17] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)29
Poland (LP3)[18] 42
Portugal (AFP)[19] 5
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[20] 89
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[21] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)29
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)22
US CHR/Pop Top 50 (Radio & Records)[22] 46
US CHR/Rhythmic Top 50 (Radio & Records)[23] 40

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)! scope="col"
Position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[24] 64
UK Urban (Music Week)[25] 14
US Hot Dance Club-Play Singles (Billboard)[26] 20

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 31. August 2, 2002. 1464.
  2. Book: Billboard Magazine 10 August 2002 . 2002 . Billboard . 21 . September 26, 2010.
  3. Web site: Whitney Houston 'Back To Goose-Bump Time' On New LP . https://web.archive.org/web/20110805061713/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456015/whitneys-singing-her-butt-off.jhtml . dead . August 5, 2011 . Shaheem Reid, Curtis Waller . July 11, 2002 . . August 18, 2011.
  4. Billboard Magazine - Reviews & Previews - p.21 . August 10, 2002 . . . August 20, 2011. (Transcription of original review at Classic Whitney.com)
  5. Just Whitney by Whitney Houston. https://archive.today/20120910082205/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/7733/37984. dead. September 10, 2012. Rolling Stone. Rollingstone.com. October 2, 2010.
  6. Web site: Petridis. Alexis. Whitney Houston: Just Whitney (Arista). The Guardian. 31 December 2013. 22 November 2002.
  7. Book: Kennedy, Gerrick . Didn't We Almost Have it All: In Defense of Whitney Houston . May 3, 2022 . . 9781647000479.
  8. Book: Bogdanov, Vladimir . All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul . . 2003 . 9780879307448 . 323.
  9. Book: Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart listing for the week ending October 12, 2002 . . October 12, 2002 . October 30, 2010.
  10. News: Bronson . Fred . August 24, 2002 . Chart Beat: What, Indeed . . . 8 . 114 . 34 . 0006-2510.
  11. Saponara . Michael . 8 March 2024 . Offset Recalls Meeting 'Nice, Sweet Soul' Whitney Houston & Dancing in One of Her Videos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308193656/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/offset-meeting-whitney-houston-dancing-in-her-video-1235628057/ . 8 March 2024 . 18 June 2024 . Billboard.
  12. Web site: Austriancharts.at - Whitney Houston - Whatchulookinat. Hung Medien. August 19, 2011.
  13. Web site: Ultratop.be - Whitney Houston - Whatchulookinat . Hung Medien . fr . August 19, 2011.
  14. Web site: Whitney Houston Billboard Singles. AllMusic. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130330162716/http://www.allmusic.com:80/artist/whitney-houston-mn0000820434/awards. March 30, 2013. July 3, 2022.
  15. Web site: Single Chartverfolgung - Whitney Houston . Musicline.de . de . August 19, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121003192043/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/HOUSTON,WHITNEY/single . October 3, 2012 . dead .
  16. Web site: Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 20. 43. 11. October 19, 2002. November 28, 2019.
  17. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 44, 2002. Dutch Top 40. March 13, 2023.
  18. Web site: Whitney Houston – dorobek wykonawcy na LP3. LP3. August 9, 2024. pl.
  19. Web site: Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 20. 43. 11. October 19, 2002. November 28, 2019.
  20. Web site: Romanian Top 100 - arhiva . www.rt100.ro . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050216164449/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10037.html . 16 February 2005 . dead.
  21. Web site: Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 20. 43. 11. October 19, 2002. November 28, 2019.
  22. R&R CHR/Pop Top 50. Radio & Records. 31. August 30, 2002. 1468.
  23. R&R CHR/Rhythmic Top 50. Radio & Records. 37. August 30, 2002. 1468.
  24. Web site: Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002. January 14, 2003. Jam!. https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184715/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_singles.html. September 6, 2004. March 22, 2022.
  25. Top 40 Urban Tracks Of 2002. Music Week. 32. January 18, 2003. August 4, 2023.
  26. 2002 The Year in Music: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles . . . December 28, 2002 . July 24, 2011.

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