What You Got (Abs song)

"What You Got"
Single by Abs
from the album Abstract Theory
B-side"Lost for Words"
Released19 August 2002 (2002-08-19)
StudioBiffco
GenrePop
Length3:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Richard "Biff" Stannard
  • Julian Gallagher
  • Steve Robson (add.)
Abs singles chronology
"What You Got"
(2002) 		"Shame"
(2002)
Music video
"What You Got" on YouTube

"What You Got" is the debut solo single of English singer and former Five member Abs, written by Abs, Richard "Biff" Stannard, and Julian Gallagher. Produced by the latter two, the track is based on Althea & Donna's 1977 song "Uptown Top Ranking", so Errol Thompson, Joe Gibbs, and Althea & Donna are given writing credits. The female vocals on the song are provided by Dawn Joseph, Shernette May, and Sharon Murphy.

"What You Got" was released as the lead single from Abs' debut album, Abstract Theory (2003), and was the first single released by a solo Five member following their split in November 2001.[1][2] Issued on 19 August 2002, the single reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, entered the top 10 in Ireland and New Zealand, and became a top-40 hit in several other European countries and Australia.

Critical reception

In his weekly chart commentary, British columnist James Masterton praised the "Uptown Top Ranking" sample, calling it a "perfect tribute", but wrote that the song is an example of "throwaway pop".[1] British trade paper Music Week called the song's hook "infectious" and predicted the song would become a summer hit.[3]

Chart performance

On 25 August 2002, "What You Got" debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks in the top 10 and 11 weeks in the top 100.[4] At the end of 2002, it was ranked at number 116 on the UK year-end chart.[5] In neighbouring Ireland, the song debuted at number 11 on 22 August 2002 and later rose to number nine.[6][7] Across continental Europe, the single entered the top 40 on the charts of Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden while peaking at number 84 in Germany.[8][9][10] It also reached the top 40 in Australia, where it peaked at number 33 and spent four weeks inside the ARIA Singles Chart top 50.[11] In New Zealand, "What You Got" charted for 15 weeks, rising to its peak of number seven on 3 November 2002.[12]

Track listings

UK and Australian CD single[13]

  1. "What You Got" – 3:56
  2. "Lost for Words" – 3:12
  3. "What You Got" (Almighty radio edit) – 3:49
  4. "What You Got" (video)

UK cassette single[14]

  1. "What You Got" – 3:56
  2. "Lost for Words" – 3:12
  3. "What You Got" (Almighty radio edit) – 3:49

European CD single[15]

  1. "What You Got" – 3:54
  2. "Lost for Words" – 3:02

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the European CD single liner notes.[15]

Studios

  • Recorded, engineering, and programmed at Biffco Studios
  • Mastered at Transfermation (London, England)

Personnel

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 19 August 2002
  • CD
  • cassette
[22]
Australia 2 September 2002 CD [23]

References

  1. ^ a b Masterton, James (25 August 2002). "Week Ending August 31st 2002". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. ^ Jones, Alan (31 August 2002). "Chart Commentary". Music Week. p. 13.
  3. ^ "Reviews – For Records Released on 19 August 2002: Single Reviews". Music Week. 10 August 2002. p. 9.
  4. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 29 August 2002". Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What You Got". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Abs – What You Got" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 40, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Abs – What You Got" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Abs – What You Got". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Abs – What You Got". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  13. ^ What You Got (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). Abs. RCA Records, BMG, S Records. 2002. 74321 957192.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ What You Got (UK cassette single sleeve). Abs. RCA Records, BMG, S Records. 2002. 74321 957194.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ a b What You Got (European CD single liner notes). Abs. RCA Records, BMG, S Records. 2002. 74321 957194.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ "Abs – What You Got" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 37. 7 September 2002. p. 11.
  18. ^ "Abs – What You Got". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Abs – What You Got" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Abs – What You Got". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  22. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 19 August 2002: Singles". Music Week. 17 August 2002. p. 9.
  23. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 2nd September 2002" (PDF). ARIA. 2 September 2002. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2022.