Please (Toni Braxton song)

"Please"
Single by Toni Braxton
from the album Libra
Released May 30, 2005 (2005-05-30)
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded The Hit Factory Criteria
(Miami, Florida)
Genre Hip hop soul
Length 3:59
Label Blackground
Writer(s) Scott Storch, Makeba Riddick, Vincent Herbert, Kameron Houff
Producer(s) Scott Storch
Toni Braxton singles chronology
"Hit the Freeway"
(2002)		 "Please"
(2005)		 "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)"
(2005)

"Please" is a song by American recording artist Toni Braxton from her fifth studio album, Libra. It was written by Scott Storch, Makeba Riddick, Vincent Herbert, and Kameron Houff and produced by Storch.

The track was released as the album's lead single to US rhythmic and urban AC radio formats on May 30, 2005.[1][2] While "Please" reached number thirty-six on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but instead reached number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, making it one of the lowest-charting singles of Braxton's career. "Please" was the only single from Libra for which a music video was shot, directed by Chris Robinson.

Background and release

After releasing her fourth studio album, "More Than a Woman" (2002), being her first and only album under Arista Records, Braxton joined Blackground Records in March 2005, with plans to issue a new album in September, preceded by the first single in June or July.[3] In May 2005, MTV News reported that a new single by Braxton was coming and that the song was produced by Scott Storch and titled "Please."[4]

"Please" was released to US rhythmic and urban AC radio formats on May 30, 2005.[1] A promo CD was also released during 2005, however, a CD Single wasn't released to promote the song.[5] In Europe, another promo CD was also released, but it didn't go to stores.[6]

Composition and lyrics

"Please" was written by Scott Storch, Makeba Riddick, Vincent Herbert (who co-wrote and produced Braxton's 1994 hit "How Many Ways) and Kameron Houff, with production being handled by Storch. Keri Lewis produced her vocals, while Toni Braxton, Tamar Braxton, Riddick, Kim Johnson and Keri Hilson provided background vocals.[7][8] "Please" is an upbeat R&B and hip-hop song that talks about how to handle a temptation in a relationship.[9] Braxton starts the song singing, "I know you watching all over here, trying to find a way to come into my situation, because you should know that it is so good to be cool."[10]

Critical and commercial reception

The song received mixed reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman of Allmusic picked the song as a standout track of Libra.[11] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "forgettable," and wrote that it "picks up where the edgy More Than a Woman left off."[12] Commercially, "Please" only charted inside the top-forty on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, topping the Billboard's Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart and later debuting at number 78 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[13] Later, the song climbed to number 40,[14] before peaking at number 36.[15]

Music video and promotion

A music video for the song, directed by Chris Robinson, was released in late June, and it features Braxton wearing many clothes and wigs, while also dancing with backup dancers.[14]

To promote the track, Braxton visited The Ellen Show to perform "Please", along with her sisters. She also performed the song on the Tom Joyner Morning Show and on Live with Regis and Kelly. Braxton also performed the song on her "Libra Tour" (2006) and most recently on her "2013 Summer Tour, in a groove-oriented medley with "Take This Ring."[16]

Track listing

U.S. promo CD single
  1. "Please" (LP Version) – 3:50
  2. "Please" (Instrumental) – 3:58
  3. "Please" (Call Out Hook) – 0:18

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes of Libra, RCA Records.[7]

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles[17] 4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[15] 36

References

  1. 1 2 "Rhythmic – Week Of: May 30, 2005". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Urban AC – Week Of: May 30, 2005". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Toni Braxton Splits Arista, Inks With Blackground". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  4. ↑ Staff, MTV News (April 7, 2005). "For The Record: Quick News On 'American Idol,' Aimee Osbourne, Janet Jackson, Outkast, Chevelle & More". MTV News. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Please (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Please (European CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Braxton, Toni (2006). Libra (liner notes). Toni Braxton. Blackground Records
  8. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Please Images". Discogs. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  9. ↑ Jones, Steve (September 26, 2005). "'Jacked Up' Wilson defies stereotypes". USA Today. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ Gordon, Ed (September 23, 2005). "'Libra': The Latest Sound from Toni Braxton". NPR. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  11. ↑ Kellman, Andy (September 27, 2005). "Libra - Toni Braxton - Allmusic". Allmusic - Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  12. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (September 24, 2005). "Toni Braxton: Libra - Music Review - Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Braxton Aims To 'Please' On New Album". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Toni Braxton Returns With 'Libra'". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Libra - Toni Braxton | Awards | Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  16. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (September 1, 2013). "Concert review: Toni Braxton sultry and stunning at Atlanta homecoming". Access Atlanta. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
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