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.

Personnel

 * Lead vocals: Michael McDonald
 * Bass: Willie Weeks (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10), Louis Johnson (2), Mike Porcaro (6, 8)
 * Drums: Steve Gadd (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10), Jeff Porcaro (2, 6, 8)
 * Guitar: Dean Parks (1, 3, 7, 8, 9), Steve Lukather (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), Robben Ford (solo on 6 and 7)
 * Saxophone: Edgar Winter (solo on 1 and 10), alto saxophone (8); Tom Scott (solo on 6)
 * Percussion: Lenny Castro and Bobby LaKind (1), Lenny Castro and Paulinho Da Costa (3), Ted Templeman and Paulinho Da Costa (4), Lenny Castro (6, 7, 8, 10)
 * Piano: Greg Phillinganes (1, 3, 7, 10), Michael McDonald (4, 5, 6, 8)
 * Clavinet: Greg Phillinganes (2)
 * Organ: Greg Phillinganes (9)
 * Fender Rhodes: Michael McDonald (1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10), Greg Phillinganes (4), Michael Omartian (6, 7)
 * Synthesizers: Michael McDonald (1-4, 6-8, 10)
 * Additional Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker (4)
 * Lyricon: Tom Scott (solo on 9)
 * Background vocals: Michael McDonald (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10), Ed Sanford (1), Maureen McDonald (2, 6), Kenny Loggins (4), Christopher Cross (6), Brenda Russell (6), Kathy Walker (6), Amy Holland (6)

Production

 * Produced by Lenny Waronker and Ted Templeman
 * Engineers: Ken Deane, Bobby Hata, Lee Herschberg, James Isaacson, Donn Landee, Mark Linett and Steve McManus.
 * Overdub Engineers: Lee Herschberg, James Isaacson, Donn Landee and Mark Linett.
 * Mixing: Lee Herschberg
 * Mastering: Bobby Hata at Warner Bros. Recording Studio.
 * Horn arrangements: Jerry Hey
 * String arrangements: Marty Paich
 * Keyboard Technician: Paul Mederios
 * Production Coordinators: Joan Parker, Kathy Walker and Vicki Fortson.
 * Art Direction and Design: Jeff Adamoff
 * Photography: Jim Shea
 * Direction: Irving Azoff