" Million Dollar Bill " is a song performed by American R&B and pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from her seventh studio album titled I Look to You which samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger" from Holloway's 1976 debut LP. It was released as the official worldwide lead single (second US single) from the album on August 18, 2009 through Arista Records in the US and August 24, 2009 through RCA Records in the UK.
Background
The song was written by Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys and samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger" from Holloway's 1976 debut LP. Keys had requested to be a part of Houston's album and Houston decided she wanted to work with Keys after hearing her perform at one of Clive Davis' parties. It was produced by hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz with an old school R&B beat. The song received critical acclaim at the album's three listening parties and was cited as a "big comeback record". The single entered the Hot 100 at #100, becoming her thirty-ninth chart entry on that chart. Houston performed the song live on The X Factor in the UK on Sunday, October 18th the night before the album was released in that territory.
Critical reception
From the New York listening party Rolling Stone said "'Million Dollar Bill' is a clattering, uptempo hip-hop-inspired number. It may be the fastest ever for Houston, who keeps up nicely. It received a standing ovation setting the tone for much of the album." MTV' s Shaheem Reid comments revolved around the first track 'Million Dollar Bill', saying that "Houston sings of looking for love and finding a man with potential. "If he makes you feel like a million-dollar bill, say, 'Oh, oh/ Oh, oh,' " she sings on the hook. "It's been a long time since love has come my way. I've been looking and searching for a man to touch this place." Right from the start, 'Million Dollar Bill' displays her billion-dollar voice over a club-friendly Swizz track that even got Alicia Keys up and dancing while taking video with her personal camera as the words she wrote boomed through the speakers.
Nick Levine of Digital Spy said "Written by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beatz (probably best known for Beyoncé's 'Check On It' and 'Ring The Alarm'), it's a midtempo disco track with an unabashedly feelgood message. "If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill," Whitney sings on the chorus, 'Say oh-oh-oh, say oh-oh-oh'. The Voice is deeper and raspier than you might remember, but she's still capable of going for a money note. 'Million Dollar Bill' won't be storming any barns in a hurry, but it's a classy, dignified and thoroughly likeable comeback effort. Whitney, it's good to have you back."
Music video
The music video for 'Million Dollar Bill' was directed by Melina Matsoukas, known for working with artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Ciara. It premiered on Houston's official website on September 16, 2009.
The video features Whitney Houston entering a dry cleaners and making her way through a kitchen wearing a fur coat. On exiting the kitchen, the music begins, and she walks into a night club with her then removing her coat and singing on a small stage. Throughout the video Whitney is seen in a metalic dress and knee high boots, and as the video progresses she is then seen in a pink dress with cuts to girls in the bathroom touching up their make-up. Just over half the way through the video she is seen in a full-length silver dress supporting a straightened bob. The video ends with Whitney walking away in the silver dress with dollar bills blowing around.
Rap-Up.Com said Houston is looking a million bucks in the high priced music video for "Million Dollar Bill".
Track listing
Charts
'Million Dollar Bill' is Whitney Houston's second song from I Look To You to reach the Hot 100, charting at #100. On the UK Singles Chart, the song was a success, debuting at #12 already given her a new highest peak since "If I Told You That" (2000), and her performance on the The X Factor was watched by 13.89 million viewers giving her enough exposure to push the song up to a new peak of 5. It became Houston's 13th #1 on Billboard's Dance Charts. The song has currently peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming her 32nd top twenty hit on that chart, and making I Look to You her first album since My Love Is Your Love to produce two or more top twenty hits.
Release history
References
- ^ a b c "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB . http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691M . Retrieved 2009-08-17 .
- ^ "((( Whitney Houston > Discography > Main Albums )))". allmusic. 1963-08-09 . http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wifqxqe5ldae~T2 . Retrieved 2009-09-06 .
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/whitney-houston/discography/albums/4849
- ^ "Million Dollar Bill: Whitney Houston: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk . http://www.amazon.co.uk/Million-Dollar-Bill/dp/B002LFGORA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1250529085&sr=8-2 . Retrieved 2009-08-17 .
- ^ "Million Dollar Bill Songfacts". Songfacts.com. 2007-04-27 . http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=16490 . Retrieved 2009-08-25 .
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/x_factor/2673680/Whitney-Houston-will-perform-on-X-Factor.html
- ^ "Whitney Houston Returns: Diva Debuts “I Look to You” in New York". Rollingstone Magazine . March 7, 2009 . http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/07/22/whitney-houston-returns-diva-debuts-i-look-to-you-in-new-york/ .
- ^ "Whitney Houston Debuts I Look To You At NYC Listening Party". MTV . July 21, 2009 . http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616679/20090721/houston_whitney.jhtml .
- ^ a b "Music - The Sound - So, this new Whitney Houston single...". Digital Spy . http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a172035/so-this-new-whitney-houston-single.html . Retrieved 2009-08-17 .
- ^ a b "Video: Whitney Houston – ‘Million Dollar Bill’". Rap-Up.com. 2009-09-16 <
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