From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Million Dollar Bill
Million Dollar Bill
"Million Dollar Bill" 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 Hous-
ton’s album and Houston decided she wanted to work
with Keys after hearing her perform at one of Clive Davis’
parties.[4] It was produced by hip-hop producer Swizz
Beatz with an old school R&B beat. Beatz told MTV News
that the process on the song started when he got a call
from Clive Davis and record executive Larry Jackson.
After he had produced the beat, Keys joined him in the
songwriting process and the duo completed the song.[4]
Keys told Billboard about the recording session(s), "Whit-
Single by Whitney Houston ney is an artist who inspired me from [the time I was] a
little girl. Fast-forwarding to now and being able to work
from the album I Look to You with her to help create this song that took off was fun.
Released August 18, 2009 (2009-08-18) [1] We had a lot of laughs; it was like being with a long-lost
(see release history) friend."[4]
The song received critical acclaim at the album’s
Format CD single, Digital download
three listening parties and was cited as a "big comeback
Recorded 2008 record". The single entered the Hot 100 at #100, becom-
Genre Funk, soul, R&B ing her thirty-ninth chart entry on that chart. Houston
performed the song live on The X Factor in the UK on
Length 3:23 Sunday, October 18 the night before the album was re-
Label Arista leased in that territory.[5]
Writer(s) Alicia Keys, Kaseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean,
Norman Harris Composition
Producer Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys Million Dollar Bill is an uptempo "pop dance groove"
with strong disco influences.[6] The song lasts for three
Whitney Houston singles chronology
minutes and twenty three seconds.[7] Written in they key
"I Look to "Million
Million "I Didn’t Know My Own of B Minor, the song’s beat is set in common time and
You" Dollar Bill
Bill" Strength" moves at a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[6] Houston’s
(2009) (2009) (2009) voice spans A3 to the note of B4.[6] The song also features
a sample of Loleatta Holloway’s 1977 song "We’re Getting
"Million Dollar Bill is a song performed by American
Million Bill" Stronger (The Longer We Stay Together)".[4] Swizz Beatz
R&B and pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from her explained that the song "is all about the feelings new love
seventh studio album[2] titled I Look to You which samples can bring".[4]
R&B singer Loleatta Holloway’s "We’re Getting Stronger"
from Holloway’s 1976 debut LP. It was released as the
official worldwide lead and only single (second US sin-
Critical reception
gle) from the album on August 18, 2009 through Arista From the New York listening party Rolling Stone said
Records in the US[1] and August 24, 2009 through RCA "’Million Dollar Bill’ is a clattering, uptempo hip-hop-in-
Records in the UK.[3] spired number. It may be the fastest ever for Houston,
who keeps up nicely. It received a standing ovation set-
ting the tone for much of the album."[8] MTV’s Shaheem
Reid comments revolved around the first track ’Million
Dollar Bill’, saying that "Houston sings of looking for love
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Million Dollar Bill
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.[9]
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
Houston in the music video for "Million Dollar Bill" dancing as
message. "If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill,"
dollar bills fall around her alluding to the theme of the song.
Whitney sings on the chorus, ’Say oh-oh-oh, say oh-oh-
oh’. The Voice is deeper and raspier than you might re-
Ciara.[13] It premiered on Houston’s official website on
member, but she’s still capable of going for a money note.
September 16, 2009.[14]
’Million Dollar Bill’ won’t be storming any barns in a hur-
The video features Whitney Houston entering a dry
ry, but it’s a classy, dignified and thoroughly likeable
cleaners and making her way through a kitchen wearing
comeback effort. Whitney, it’s good to have you back."[10]
a fur coat. On exiting the kitchen, the music begins, and
Bill Lamb of About.com gave a mixed review saying, "The
she walks into a night club with her then removing her
good news on "Million Dollar Bill" is the performance is
coat and singing on a small stage. Throughout the video
undeniably the Whitney Houston we all know. The down
Whitney is seen in a metallic dress and knee high boots,
side is it’s all almost too familiar. The arrangement cour-
and as the video progresses she is then seen in a pink
tesy producer Swizz Beatz is very old school R&B. Ali-
dress with cuts to girls in the bathroom touching up their
cia Keys has written a song that fits very well with her
make-up. Just over half the way through the video she
tradition of "old soul" songs, but Whitney Houston has
is seen in a full-length silver dress supporting a straight-
failed to give it a new twist that would successfully make
ened bob. The video ends with Whitney walking away in
the old stunningly new again.". He also gave the song 3.5
the silver dress with dollar bills blowing around.
stars out of five.[11]
Rap-Up.Com said Houston is looking a million bucks
in the high priced music video for "Million Dollar
Chart performance Bill".[13]
"Million Dollar Bill" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at num-
ber hundred, on the issue dated September 19, 2009.[12] Track listing
The song fell out of the chart the next week. "Million Dol-
lar Bill" topped the Hot Dance Club Play charts, which be- • German double A-side • AUS/UK CD single
came her first single to do so since 2003’s Love That Man.
15]
single[15] 1. "Million Dollar Bill" —
The song entered the Canadian Chart at number seventy 1. "I Look to You" — 4:25 3:24
eight and peaked at number sixty two on the week dated 2. "Million Dollar Bill" — 2. "Million Dollar Bill"
September 19, 2009.[12] 3:24 (Freemasons Radio
In United Kingdom, the song peaked at number five, • U.S./UK album Edit) — 3:49
following her performance at the X Factor, by which be- (EP 16]
remixes (EP 1)[16] • UK and US single
came her first single to reach the top five since 1998’s My 1. "Million Dollar Bill" 17]
remixes (EP 2)[17]
Love Is Your Love. The song was successful in many oth- (Freemasons Radio 1. "Million Dollar Bill"
er countries across Europe. The song peaked inside top Mix) — 3:49 (Freemasons Radio
forty, in most countries and the second highest peak was 2. "Million Dollar Bill" Mix) — 3:49
in Ireland, where it peaked at number eight.[12] (Frankie Knuckles 2. "Million Dollar Bill"
Radio Mix) — 3:15 (Freemasons Club Mix)
3. "I Look to You" — 8:10
Music video (Johnny Vicious 3. "Million Dollar Bill"
The music video for ’Million Dollar Bill’ was directed by Warehouse Radio Mix) (Freemasons Mixshow)
Melina Matsoukas (who directed the music video for — 4:08 — 5:00
Houston’s previous sing "I Look to You"), known for 4. "I Look to You" 4. "Million Dollar Bill"
working with artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and (Johnny Vicious Club (Frankie Knuckles
Radio Mix) — 3:52 Radio Mix) — 3:15
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Million Dollar Bill
5. "I Didn’t Know My 5. "Million Dollar Bill" ber 6, 2009. It became Houston’s 13th #1 on Billboard’s
Own Strength" (Peter (Frankie Knuckles Club Dance Charts, and also topped the Billboard urban adult
Rauhofer Radio Edit) — Mix) — 7:08 contemporary chart; her first #1 single in several years.
3:04 6. "Million Dollar Bill" The song has currently peaked at #16 on the Billboard
6. "I Didn’t Know My (Frankie Knuckles Dub Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming her 32nd top twenty
Own Strength" Mix) — 6:59 hit on that chart, and making I Look to You her first al-
(Daddy’s Groove Magic bum since My Love Is Your Love to produce two or more
Island Radio Mix) — top twenty hits.
3:11
7. "I Look to You" Chart positions End-of-year charts
(Christian Dio Radio
Mix) — 4:01 Chart procession and succession
8. "I Look to You"
(Giuseppe D. Tune
Adiks Radio Edit) — Release history
3:47
•
1. "Million Dollar Bill"
References
(Album Version) — [1] ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates,
3:24 Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB.
2. "Million Dollar Bill" http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691M. Retrieved
(Instrumental) — 3:20 2009-08-17.
3. "Million Dollar Bill" [2] "((( Whitney Houston > Discography > Main Albums
(Call Out Hook) — 0:10 )))". allmusic. 1963-08-09.
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4519/
discography. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
Personnel [3] ^ "Million Dollar Bill: Whitney Houston:
Credits Source adapted from Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk.
• Mixed by – Tony Discogs.[18] http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002LFGORA.
Maserati Sample Retrieved 2009-08-17.
• Assistant engineers "We’re Getting Stronger" [4] ^ "Million Dollar Bill Songfacts". Songfacts.com.
and mixers – Christian by Loleatta Holloway 2007-04-27. http://www.songfacts.com/
Baker, Miki Tsutsumi, • Sample writers – Allan detail.php?id=16490. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
Val Brathwaite Felder, Norman Harris, [5] Sam-Daliri, Nadia (2009-10-08). "Whitney Houston
• Producer – Alicia Keys, Ronald Tyson will perform on X Factor". London: TheSun.co.uk.
Swizz Beatz Recording and mixing http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/
• Vocal producer and • Recorded and showbiz/tv/x_factor/2673680/Whitney-Houston-
arrangement – Alicia engineered in New will-perform-on-X-Factor.html. Retrieved
Keys York City at the Oven 2010-10-08.
• Programmed by – Studios and Germano [6] ^ "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill Sheet
Swizz Beatz Studios Music (Digital Download)". Alfred Music
• Recording engineer – • Mixed for Two Chord Publishing. http://www.musicnotes.com/
Ann Mincieli Music Inc. at Oven sheetmusic/
• Written by – Alicia Studios, New York mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0083564#ProductDetails.
Keys, Kasseem Dean, City. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
Norman Harris [7] "allmusic (((I Look to You > Overview )))".
Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/
r1626604. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
Charts [8] "Whitney Houston Returns: Diva Debuts “I Look to
On the UK Singles Chart, the song was a success, debuting You” in New York". Rollingstone Magazine. March 7,
at #12 already given her a new highest peak since "If I 2009. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/
Told You That" (2000),[19] and her performance on The X index.php/2009/07/22/whitney-houston-returns-
Factor was watched by 13.89 million viewers giving her diva-debuts-i-look-to-you-in-new-york/.
enough exposure to push the song up to a new peak of [9] "Whitney Houston Debuts I Look To You At NYC
5.[20] It has been in the UK top 40 for 9 weeks as of Decem- Listening Party". MTV. July 21, 2009.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Million Dollar Bill
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[21] 6
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[22] 3
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 62
Czech Republic (IFPI)[24] 57
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[25] 58
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[26] 18
Germany (Media Control AG)[27] 41
Double a-side with, "I Look to You"
Ireland (IRMA)[28] 8
Italy (FIMI)[29] 15
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[30] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 40
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[33] 5
UK R&B (The Official Charts Company)[34] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 100
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[36] 16
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[37] 1
Chart (2009) Position
Italian Singles Chart[38] 70
Japanese Singles Chart[39] 97
U.K Singles Chart[40] 90
U.S. Dance Club Play[41] 25
Chart (2010) Position
U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[42] 81
Preceded by U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs number-one single Succeeded by
"Release Me" by Agnes November 7, 2009 "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga
Region Date Format(s) Label(s)
United States[1] August 18, 2009 (2009-08-18) Airplay, Digital download[43] Arista Records
Germany[44] Digital download Sony Music Entertainment
United Kingdom[3] RCA Records, Arista
Germany[45] October 2, 2009 Double A-side Single Sony Music Entertainment
United Kingdom October 5, 2009 (2009-10-05)[10] CD Single, iTunes download RCA Records, Arista
UK & US November 6, 2009[16] Album remixes (Digital, EP 1) RCA / Arista Records
November 10, 2009[46] Single remixes (Digital, EP 2)
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616679/ [10] ^ "Music - The Sound - So, this new Whitney
20090721/houston_whitney.jhtml. Houston single...". Digital Spy.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a172035/so-
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Million Dollar Bill
this-new-whitney-houston-single.html. Retrieved [24] "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top100
2009-08-17. Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert
[11] "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill - Review - {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search.
About.com". http://top40.about.com/od/singles/ [25] "Dutchcharts.nl – Whitney Houston – Million
gr/whitneyhoustonmilliondollarbill.htm. Retrieved Dollar Bill" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung
2010-10-08. Medien / hitparade.ch.
[12] ^ "US Singles Top 100 (September 19, 2010)". [26] "Finnishcharts.com – Whitney Houston – Million
acharts.us. http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/ Dollar Bill". Suomen virallinen lista. Hung Medien.
2009/38. Retrieved 2010-10-08. [27] "Dollar Bill/single Die ganze Musik im Internet:
[13] ^ "Video: Whitney Houston – ‘Million Dollar Bill’". Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres,
Rap-Up.com. 2009-09-16. http://www.rap-up.com/ Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-
2009/09/16/video-whitney-houston-million- Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de"
dollar-bill/. Retrieved 2009-09-22. (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet
[14] Česká republika. "Whitney Houston Videos & GmbH.
Photos History | The Official Whitney Houston [28] "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded
Site". Whitneyhouston.com.. Music Association.
http://www.whitneyhouston.com./us/media/ [29] "Italiancharts.com – Whitney Houston – Million
videos/10180/music-videos. Retrieved 2009-09-22. Dollar Bill". Top Digital Download. Hung Medien.
[15] "Whitney Houston - I Look To You/Million Dollar [30] "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History"
Bill (CD) - Discogs". Discogs.com. Japan Hot 100 for Whitney Houston. Prometheus
http://www.discogs.com/Whitney-Houston-I- Global Media.
Look-To-You-Million-Dollar-Bill/release/2433182. [31] "Swedishcharts.com – Whitney Houston – Million
Retrieved 2010-10-08. Dollar Bill". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
[16] ^ "Amazon.com: The Remixes: Whitney Houston: [32] "Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill –
MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VGMFMW. Medien.
Retrieved 2010-10-08. [33] "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official
[17] "I Look To You Remixes: Whitney Houston: Charts Company.
Amazon.com". Amazon.com. [34] "Archive Chart" UK R&B Chart. The Official Charts
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002VWJE5M. Company.
Retrieved 2010-10-08. [35] "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History"
[18] "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill (CD) Billboard Hot 100 for Whitney Houston. Prometheus
Discogs". Discogs.com. http://www.discogs.com/ Global Media.
Whitney-Houston-Million-Dollar-Bill/release/ [36] "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History"
1995456. Retrieved 2010-10-08. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Whitney Houston.
[19] "Music - News - Chipmunk beats The Saturdays to Prometheus Global Media.
No.1 - Digital Spy". DigitalSpy.co.uk. [37] "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History"
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/ Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play for Whitney
a181559/chipmunk-beats-the-saturdays-to- Houston. Prometheus Global Media.
no1.html. Retrieved 2009-10-11. [38] "FIMI - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana -
[20] "Music - The Sound - Good news for Cheryl, Ricerche e dati di mercato". Fimi.it. 2010-01-19.
Alexandra, Whitney - Digital Spy". DigitalSpy.co.uk. http://www.fimi.it/dett_ddmercato.php?id=47.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/thesound/ Retrieved 2010-12-18.
a182806/good-news-for-cheryl-alexandra- [39] "Japan Hot 100". Billboard.
whitney.html. Retrieved 2010-10-08. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/
[21] "Ultratop.be – Whitney Houston – Million Dollar yearendcharts/2009/billboard-japan-
Bill" (in Dutch). Ultratip. ULTRATOP & Hung hot-100-songs. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
Medien / hitparade.ch. [40] "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus.
[22] "Ultratop.be – Whitney Houston – Million Dollar http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/
Bill" (in French). Ultratip. ULTRATOP & Hung UKChartsPlusYE2009.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
Medien / hitparade.ch. [41] "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite
[23] "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History" web}}". http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/
Canadian Hot 100 for Whitney Houston. yearendcharts/2009/hot-dance-club-play-songs.
Prometheus Global Media. [42] http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-year-end/
hot-r-b-hip-hop-
songs?year=2010&begin=81&order=position
5
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Million Dollar Bill
[43] "Million Dollar Bill: Whitney Houston: MP3 [45] "I Look to You/Million Dollar Bill: Whitney
Downloads". Amazon.com. Houston: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KQ0W9Q. http://www.amazon.de/dp/B002NZJMPO.
Retrieved 2009-08-30. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
[44] "Million Dollar Bill: Whitney Houston: Amazon.de: [46] "Amazon.com: Million Dollar Bill Remixes: Whitney
MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Houston: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.de/dp/B002LFOIDW. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VJV2SW.
Retrieved 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Million_Dollar_Bill&oldid=465536812"
Categories:
• 2009 singles
• Whitney Houston songs
• Songs produced by Swizz Beatz
• Songs written by Alicia Keys
• Music videos directed by Melina Matsoukas
• Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs number-one singles
• Songs written by Swizz Beatz
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