Whatever It Takes (High Valley song)
"Whatever It Takes" is a song recorded by Canadian country group High Valley. The group's frontman Brad Rempel co-wrote the song with Ben Stennis and Jon Nite.[1] It is the lead single off their upcoming album Way Back,[2] and the first single release after former member Curtis Rempel left the group.[3]
"Whatever It Takes" | ||||
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Single by High Valley | ||||
from the album Way Back | ||||
Released | November 12, 2021 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 2:49 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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High Valley singles chronology | ||||
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Lyric Video | ||||
"Whatever It Takes" on YouTube |
Background
"Whatever It Takes" was released simultaneously with the promotional single "Never Not".[4] Brad Rempel stated he felt the song "captured that signature High Valley magic".[1] He wrote the track on a night during a songwriting session with Ben Stennis and Jon Nite at Nite's beach house in Florida.[4] The writers were ready to pack up that night when Rempel was strumming his guitar, and they decided to write and record the song.[5] The line "swing a hammer, climb a ladder" refers to house flipping projects Rempel and his wife have been working on.[6] Rempel wanted to write a "very old school bluegrassy melody" while his co-writers wanted to write a "European soccer stadium anthem" so they elected to "meet somewhere in the middle".[7]
Critical reception
"Whatever It Takes" was released to widespread positive reception. Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal described the song as "brimming with the group’s signature sound of positive-minded, bluegrass-tinted country".[3] Anna D'Amico of American Songwriter noted "upbeat guitar and painting lyrics" in the track.[4] Front Porch Music stated that the song "emphasizes a long-lasting love," and that it is more "upbeat" than "a typical slow ballad".[6] Grace Lenehan Vaughn of Sounds Like Nashville said the song "features sing-along-worthy lyrics that paint a picture of an enduring love".[5] Molly Millman of The Nash News stated that "Whatever It Takes" is "optimistic and hopeful by all means".[8] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country called the track "classic High Valley," saying it "blends country and bluegrass with EDM".[9]
Charts
Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
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Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] | 65 |
Canada Country (Billboard)[11] | 2 |
US Country Indicator (Billboard)[12] | 50 |
References
- Kennedy, John R (November 2, 2021). "High Valley Returns With 2 New Songs". iHeartRadio.ca. Bell Media. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- "High Valley goes "Way Back"". Country Standard Time. March 18, 2022.
- Papadatos, Markos (December 15, 2021). "Brad Rempel of High Valley talks about 'Whatever It Takes' and 'Never Not' songs". Digital Journal.
- D'Amico, Anna. "High Valley is "Never Not" Impressing with Two New Songs". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- Lenehan Vaughn, Grace (November 12, 2021). "HIGH VALLEY FORGES NEW PATH WITH 'WHATEVER IT TAKES' AND 'NEVER NOT'". Sounds Like Nashville.
- "High Valley Is Doing "Whatever It Takes" In Hottest New Single". Front Porch Music. December 29, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- Watts, Cindy (November 16, 2021). "High Valley Thrives Despite Member Loss, Works Toward Bullseye". CMT.
- Millman, Molly (November 12, 2021). "High Valley "Whatever It Takes" and "Never Not" Song Reviews". The Nash News.
- Dukes, Billy (December 2, 2021). "It's Full Speed Ahead for Brad Rempel and High Valley [Interview]". Taste of Country.
- "High Valley Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- "High Valley Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- "Billboard Country National Airplay / Country Indicator Chart". Nielsen BDS. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.