| Whatever It Takes | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Length: | 3:07 | |
| Released: | August 25, 2017 | |
| Writers: | Charlie Scene, Danny, J-Dog, Johnny 3 Tears | |
| Producer: | Charlie Scene | |
| Key: | G major | |
| Tempo: | 87 BPM | |
| Album: | V | |
| Last single: | California Dreaming | |
| Next single: | Renegade | |
 | ||
Whatever It Takes is the second single from the band's fifth studio album, V. It was released on August 25, 2017.
Background[]
In an interview with Loudwire, Johnny 3 Tears talks about the song:
"This song for us, it's an anthemic track. For us, it's very personal because the difficulties we go through, not just professionally but personally every day and what it takes to overcome those things. We love the idea of the track and then what was cool is it kind of developed into something that I think everybody needs that message every day. To hear something like that, whether it's us or something else to get them off their ass and go, "Okay, I can take anything on as long as I work hard at it and keep my head up." I love writing deep, depressing music, but I also really enjoy what that song is supposed to be."
Music video[]
The music video of the song was released on August 25, 2017, and was directed by Charlie Scene and Brian Cox.
In an interview with Loudwire, Johnny 3 Tears talks about the video:
"...Then with the video, the guy in it, his name is Sean, he's a professional boxer actually. He's a big fan of the band and he was wondering if we would give him a song to do to walk out to. We took it one step further, we said, "Why don't you just do the video with us?" It was cool because we got to hang out with this professional boxer. The whole message is he grows up getting bullied and he fights back and ends up being the world champion. I think it's good and it's applicable to everybody. And even now, when I listen to it, I get jacked up. I'm like, 'Alright, let's do this.' That's really what we were trying to do and hopefully send a positive message our own way to our listeners and stuff."
Personnel[]
- Hollywood Undead
- Charlie Scene - director
- Additional
- Michael Blevins - gaffer
- Brian Cox - co-director, editor, producer
- Andres Jaquez - actress
- John Molina Jr. - actor
- Brennan Rojo - grip
- Chris Santisteban - production assistant
- Jackie Santisteban - key makeup
- Seth Setherson - art department
- Ben Smith - assistant camera
- Faisal Shah - director of photography
Reception[]
It peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.
Official Lyrics[]
Charlie Scene: I do whatever it takes to make it
Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
So put your hands up high
Now wave 'em side to side
Now when I pull out the nine
You better wave bye bye
So take a page from my book
Roll it up and get cooked
Watch these ladies get hooked
While all these haters get shook
So put your hands up high
Now wave 'em side to side
Now when I pull out the nine
You better wave bye bye
Johnny 3 Tears: We gonna rise up to the top, we've been through it all
Been to fucking hell and back, our backs against the wall
Got the dove and grenade flag on display
And every fucking critic's gonna listen when we say
Charlie Scene and Johnny 3 Tears: I do!
Charlie Scene: Whatever it takes to make it
Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
So put your hands up high
Now wave 'em side to side
Now when I pull out the nine
You better wave bye bye
So take a page from my book
Roll it up and get cooked
Watch these ladies get hooked
While all these haters get shook
So put your hands up high
Now wave 'em side to side
Now when I pull out the nine
You better wave bye bye
Danny: So just understand nothing gets in my way
I can show you firsthand if you got something to say
If you think you can hold me down you better think twice
'Cause I've been waiting for this moment every day of my life
Danny and J-Dog: These fucking people always say the same old thing
But you can't slay or conquer the king
I'm from a nightmare but I'm living the dream
J-Dog: You need to back up if you're not with my team
Charlie Scene, Danny, J-Dog, and Johnny 3 Tears: 'Cause I do whatever it takes to make it
Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
Charlie Scene: 'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
So put your hands up high
Now wave 'em side to side
Now when I pull out the nine
You better wave bye bye
So take a page from my book
Roll it up and get cooked
Watch these ladies get hooked
While all these haters get shook
So put your hands up high
Now wave 'em side to side
Now when I pull out the nine
You better wave bye bye
You better wave bye bye
You better wave bye bye
You better wave bye bye
You better wave bye bye
Background vocals[]
- Danny sings the entire chorus behind Charlie Scene.
Demo[]
The demo has a very different instrumental, a lot more electronic sounding. It has all different vocal takes. Charlie whispers "bye bye" at the end of the chorus. The first chorus is the only one that has the "take a page from my book" part. The gang vocals on the final chorus are missing as well as the beat drop, it just plays the same chorus as the first two. Danny's singing behind J-Dog's verse is also a lot louder. Danny has no background vocals on the chorus, it's all Charlie Scene. J-Dog and Danny also scream "'Cause I do!" a lot louder behind Charlie at the beginning of final chorus. There is one more "you better wave bye-bye" at the end of the song.
Personnel[]
- Hollywood Undead
- Charlie Scene - production, vocals
- Danny - vocals
- J-Dog - vocals
- Johnny 3 Tears - vocals
- Additional
- Brian Gardner - mastering
- Dan Lancaster - mixing
- Rhys May - mixing assistant
Trivia[]
- Johnny 3 Tears makes a reference to their song Been to Hell in his verse.
- Da Kurlzz posted a picture on his Instagram during the recording process of V with the caption "whatever it takes".
| Whatever It Takes | |
|---|---|
| |
| Length: | 3:08 |
| Released: | April 20, 2018 |
| Writers: | Charlie Scene, Danny, Demrick, Fudd Rukus, J-Dog, Johnny 3 Tears, Prodigal Sunn |
| Producer: | Charlie Scene |
| Key: | G major |
| Tempo: | 87 BPM |
| Last single: | Your Life |
| Next single: | Gotta Let Go |
Whatever It Takes (Mixtape) is a remix of the song Whatever It Takes that was released on April 20, 2018. It features guest vocals from underground rappers Prodigal Sunn, Demrick, and Fudd Rukus.
Background[]
Speaking about the single, Johnny 3 Tears explained: "It’s such an honor for us as a band to share this song with some extremely talented artists and friends. The song is about doing whatever we have to in order to overcome any circumstance, which is something everyone goes through in life. It’s amazing to hear new stories on the same song. What’s your story?”.
Lyrics[]
Charlie Scene: I do whatever it takes to make it
Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
(So put your hands up!)
Prodigal Sunn: I'm in this like the red blood of a winner, heart of a champion
Moving through the game, relevant, strong as an elephant
Face anything that I'm faced, I'm wise and intelligent
Skills across the field, on the court, king of my regiment
Train every day, being lazy don't pay
If you do what it takes, you could rise on your way
So you did it from the sons of man, Wu-Tang Clan
Rose from the bottom of the pot to top of the pan
And if you believe in yourself then you know that you can
Do anything you put your heart and mind to, rowing them in
Flow and expand, flow with the team, keep it serene
And you win some, you lose some, all part of the dream
I never give up, focused on the goal at hand
Take my time, do it right, orchestrate with my plan
Activate and captivate the fans, the name on the brand
Divided we fall, united we stand
Charlie Scene and Johnny 3 Tears: I do whatever it takes to make it
Charlie Scene: Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
(So put your hands up!)
Demrick: Too many lames in my lane, I don't entertain
Eliminate anything that's in the way
We in a game full of clones and clowns, can't even hold your ground
Boy, you'll never hold the crown, bitch n*ggas need ultrasounds
Cookies by the pound, freshly baked, forever beg the chase
Moving through the interstate to get the cake
Gotta get a plaque for all my n*ggas that got a case
You out a captive safe and those who definitely get a cape
I'm feeling outta place in this room full of fake
Taking food off my plate, worst move you could make
Flatline, stainless steel, black nine
Baow-baow, lay 'em flat, send 'em back to the other side, bye
Win or lose, just know I die for my troops
How you keep it a hundred with them lies in your truth
You see I been A1 since day one, just say something different
You don't live it, there's a difference, take your bitches by the minute
Charlie Scene, Danny, J-Dog and Johnny 3 Tears: I do whatever it takes to make it
Charlie Scene: Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
(So put your hands up!)
Fudd Rukus: (Welcome to the machine!)
The nightmare's not far behind but the dream's near
It's never ending till I'm trending like Supreme gear
There's nothing clean here, replacing all the soapy shit
Don't pay him for the dope he spits, I'm making it with opiates
Shooting for the moon like I'm racing with the Soviets
Bring the West back, it's feeling vacant now that Kobe quit
I'm rolling in your chick's Accord or my '64
Sipping Coors in a Lincoln Ford bumping Liquid Swords
Even if I don't agree what the culture shifted towards
I'll die without the music kinda like what Jim with The Doors
They wanna pull me in the gutter like Pennywise
But I'm wise with the pennies, plenty tried, instead I steady rise
I haven't left the streets, barely slept in weeks
All my equity is dirty and the septic leaks
Kept it G and bypassed the meter, now my grass is greener
Over white trash and cheaper, motherfucker, thought you knew...?
Charlie Scene, Fudd Rukus, and Johnny 3 Tears: I do whatever it takes to make it
Charlie Scene: Break through anything I'm face to face with
It's true, you gon' make me lose my patience
'Cause victory is mine and I'mma take it
(So put your hands up!)
Personnel[]
- Hollywood Undead
- Charlie Scene - engineering, programming, vocals
- Danny - background vocals
- J-Dog - background vocals
- Johnny 3 Tears - background vocals
- Other
- Demrick - vocals
- Fudd Rukus - vocals
- Prodigal Sunn - vocals
Trivia[]
- This is the band's third collaboration. The first two were 2005's Turn Off the Lights featuring Jeffree Star and Black Cadillac featuring B-Real from V, respectively.