Million Dollar Bill
"Million Dollar Bill" | ||||
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Single by Whitney Houston | ||||
from the album I Look to You | ||||
A-side | "I Look to You" | |||
Released | August 18, 2009[1] | |||
Recorded | 2008 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:23 | |||
Label | Arista | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Whitney Houston singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Million Dollar Bill" on YouTube |
"Million Dollar Bill" is a song performed by American recording artist Whitney Houston from her seventh and final studio album, I Look to You (2009). The song was written by Alicia Keys, her husband Kaseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean and Norman Harris, and produced by Keys and Beatz. It was released as the official worldwide lead (second in the US) single from the album on August 18, 2009, through Arista Records in the US[1] and August 24, 2009, through RCA Records in the UK.[2] It is Houston's final single from a studio album, and the last song released in her lifetime before her death in 2012. The song samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger", co-written by Harris.
Background
"Million Dollar Bill" was written by singer-songwriter Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz and samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger" from Holloway's 1977 'Loleatta' LP. Houston said to MTV News:
“When [Keys] performed at one of [Clive's] parties the year before last, I kind of looked at her, and it was when she had [the 'No One'] record out, and it was the only record that came on the radio that inspired me ... “I walked over to her, and off the cuff said, ‘Hey, do you think you could produce me?’ She said, ‘Yeah, I think I can’. Then I performed a year after, and she came up with the song 'Million Dollar Bill,' and I said, 'Wow, incredible'", Houston explained.[3]
The song was produced by Keys with hip-hop producer and husband Swizz Beatz producing 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.[4][5]
The song received praise at the album's listening parties and was cited as a "big comeback record". Houston performed the song live on The X Factor in the UK on Sunday, October 18 the night before the album was released in that territory.[citation needed]
Composition
Million Dollar Bill has an uptempo "pop dance groove" with strong disco influences.
Critical reception
From the New York listening party, Rolling Stone said the song "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."[8] Dean Piper of the Daily Mirror considered it a "summer track" reminiscent of Janet Jackson's "The Best Things in Life Are Free."[9]
Nick Levine of
Chart performance
The success of "Million Dollar Bill" in the United States was described as "modest".[12] The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 100 on the issue date September 19, 2009, dropping out of the chart the following week.[13] The single marked Houston's lowest peak on the chart in her career.[14] It fared better on the
"Million Dollar Bill" first appeared on the
The single charted in other European countries. "Million Dollar Bill" entered the Irish Singles Chart on October 8, 2009, at number 45.[28] After four weeks on the chart, it peaked at number-eight.[29] It spent ten weeks on the Irish charts.[30] Released as a
The track also made appearances on "end-of-year" charts as well. In the United Kingdom, the song finished 2009 on the year-end singles chart at number 90.[40] In America, "Million Dollar Bill" placed in two charts from two different years. It landed at number 25 for the
Music video
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f0/MillionDollarBillScreen-Shot.jpg/200px-MillionDollarBillScreen-Shot.jpg)
The music video for 'Million Dollar Bill' was directed by Melina Matsoukas (who directed the music video for Houston's previous song "I Look to You"), known for working with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Ciara.[43] It premiered on Houston's official website on September 16, 2009.[44]
The video featured 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, Houston is seen in several different outfits, including a metallic dress and knee high boots, and, as the video progresses, a pink dress and a full-length silver dress. The video concludes as Houston is walking away in the silver dress, with dollar bills blowing around.
Track listings and formats
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Personnel
Credits
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Sample "We're Getting Stronger" by Loleatta Holloway
Recording and mixing
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[64] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States | — | 300,000[65] |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
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United States[1] | August 18, 2009 | Airplay, digital download[66] | Arista Records |
Germany[67] | Digital download | Sony Music Entertainment
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United Kingdom[2] | RCA Records, Arista | ||
Germany[68] | October 2, 2009 | Double A-side single | Sony Music Entertainment |
United Kingdom | October 5, 2009[10] | CD single, iTunes download | RCA Records, Arista |
UK & US | November 6, 2009[48] | Album remixes (Digital, EP 1) | RCA / Arista Records |
November 10, 2009[69] | Single remixes (Digital, EP 2) |
Beyond Chicago x Majestic x Alex Mills version
"Million Dollar Bill" | |
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Single by Beyond Chicago x Majestic x Alex Mills | |
Released | June 2023 |
Genre | Dance |
Length | 2:56 |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
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In June 2023, British producers Beyond Chicago, producer Majestic and singer Alex Mills released a dance cover version of "Million Dollar Bill". The song peaked at 67 in the UK singles chart.[70]
See also
- List of number-one dance singles of 2009 (U.S.)
References
- ^ a b c "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ^ a b "Million Dollar Bill: Whitney Houston: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ^ "WHITNEY HOUSTON TALKS HOOKING UP WITH AKON, ALICIA KEYS". MTV. July 27, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- ^ "SWIZZ BEATZ 'SO EXCITED' TO WORK WITH WHITNEY HOUSTON, ALICIA KEYS". MTV. July 22, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- ^ "WHITNEY HOUSTON DEBUTS I LOOK TO YOU AT NYC LISTENING PARTY". MTV. July 21, 2009. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- ^ Alfred Music Publishing. May 24, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c Mitchell, Gail (August 24, 2009). "Whitney Houston's 'I Look To You': First Listen". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Returns: Diva Debuts "I Look to You" in New York". Rollingstone Magazine. March 7, 2009. Archived from the original on July 25, 2009.
- ^ Piper, Dean (July 19, 2009). "My preview of the new Whitney Houston album". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on July 20, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Music - The Sound - So, this new Whitney Houston single..." Digital Spy. August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ^ "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill - Review - About.com". Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- Gannett Company. Archived from the originalon March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Album & Song Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Adult R&B Songs & Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ "Adult R&B Songs & Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "2009 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive: 17th October 2009". Official Charts Company. October 17, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Whitney Houston". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Million Dollar Bill". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "It's Not Right But It's Okay". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "2009 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive: 17th October 2009". Official Charts Company. October 17, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "2010 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive: 27th February 2010". Official Charts Company. February 27, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 8 October 2009". GfK Chart Track. IRMA. October 8, 2009. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Chart Track: Week 44, 2009". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 10 December 2009". GfK Chart Track. IRMA. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ Release Notes. "I Look to You"/"Million Dollar Bill" Whitney Houston. RCA/Jive Label Group. 2009. Back cover. 88697 60047 2.
- ^ "Whitney Houston". Musicline.de (in German). Phononet. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
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- ^ Ultratip. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ Ultratip. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston: Million Dollar Bill" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart: 2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
- ^ Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Archivedfrom the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
- ^ a b "2010 Year-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Charts". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Video: Whitney Houston – 'Million Dollar Bill'". Rap-Up.com. September 16, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ Česká republika. "Whitney Houston Videos & Photos History | The Official Whitney Houston Site". Whitneyhouston.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill (2009, CD single)". Discogs.
- ^ "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill (2009, CD)". Discogs.
- ^ "Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons Remixes), (2009, CD)". Discogs.
- ^ a b "Amazon.com: The Remixes: Whitney Houston: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "I Look To You Remixes: Whitney Houston: Amazon.com". Amazon UK. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "Part of Whitney Houston's ARIA chart history". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ Whitney Houston — Million Dollar Bill. TopHit. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ "Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History - Mexiko Ingles Airplay". Billboard. September 12, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 40, 2009". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
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- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart – 2009". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ "British single certifications – Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
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- ^ "Million Dollar Bill: Whitney Houston: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
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- ^ "Amazon.com: Million Dollar Bill Remixes: Whitney Houston: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
- ^ "Million Dollar Bill by Beyond Chicago/Majestic Mills/Alex Mills". Official Charts. Retrieved April 23, 2024.