Whatcha Say

"Whatcha Say" is the debut single by American artist Jason Derulo for his self-titled debut album. It dropped for digital download on Cinco Dé Mayo 2009, and officially released as a single on August 4 of the same year. The track creatively reinterprets the bridge from Imogen Heap's 2005 hit "Hide and Seek," prominently featuring its chorus. Produced by J.R. Rotem with extra touches from German producer Fuego, the song enjoyed a week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

"Whatcha Say"
Single by Jason Derulo
from the album Jason Derülo
Released	May 5, 2009 (2009-05-05) (download) August 4, 2009 (single)
Recorded	2009
Genre	Pop R&B
Length	3:42
Label	Beluga Heights Asylum Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Jason Desrouleaux Kisean Anderson Achraf Baachaoui J-Lex Leff Row J.R. Rotem Imogen Heap
Producer(s)	J.R. Rotem Fuego
Jason Derulo singles chronology
"Whatcha Say" (2009) "In My Head" (2009)
Audio sample
file help

Derulo recorded a French-English version with French Guiana singer Fanny J in 2010. A second music video has also been released.^[1]

Background and composition

After attending performing arts schools, such as The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and honing his talents as a singer and dancer, as well as acting in theatre productions like Ragtime and Smokey Joe's Cafe,^[2] Derulo won the grand prize on the 2006 season finale of the TV show Showtime at the Apollo.^[3] Derulo was discovered by music producer J.R. Rotem, who signed him to his record label Beluga Heights Records and Warner Bros. Records. From 2006 to 2009, Derulo wrote songs for artists such as Diddy, Danity Kane, Donnie Klang, Sean Kingston, Cassie, and Lil Wayne, before gearing up to release his debut single, "Whatcha Say".^[4]

In an interview with Digital Spy, Derulo talked about the inspiration for the song. He said, "Basically my brother called me one day and said, 'I cheated on my girl, but I love her so much and I hope she'll give me one more shot'. I found his story really compelling, so I just went into the studio and tried it out. You know, people go through that kind of thing every day, which is why the song is so relatable. She did take my brother back though and they're actually engaged now, so it all worked out good in the end." Regarding the heavy sampling of "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap, Derulo called Heap "an incredible talent" and stated that she was "in love with the song [Whatcha Say]".^[5]

The sheet music for the song shows two flats with a suggested tempo of "moderately slow groove" in common time.^[6]

Critical reception

"Whatcha Say" received mixed reviews. Glenn Gamboa of Newsday wrote: "For fans of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek", the new Jason Derulo single "Whatcha Say" – which liberally samples from the song and even uses Heap's chorus as his own chorus – may be hard to swallow. But Derulo weaves easily in and out of Heap's parts and matches his autotuned vocals to hers pretty well to craft a catchy, if derivative, little number."^[7] Upon its November 2009 UK release, noted R&B writer Pete Lewis of 'Blues & Soul' described the single as "Blending pounding beats and Derulo's rich, soulful vocals with an instantly-infectious pop hook sampled from alternative/indie songstress Imogen Heap".^[8] Cleveland.com was critical of Derulo's song, criticizing the sampling: “[“Hide and Seek,”] loses its raw sentiment in the hands of Derulo and pop producer J.R. Rotem, who turn Heap’s voice into a corny gimmick. How dare they.” ^[9]

Commercial performance

"Whatcha Say" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 54 in the issue dated August 4, 2009. It reached number one in the issue dated November 12, 2009.^[10] The song also reached the number-one spot on the Canadian Nielsen SoundScan Digital Songs chart. "Whatcha Say" entered and peaked on the UK Singles Chart on November 22, 2009 at number 3.

By June 2014, the single had sold over 4 million digital copies in the US.^[11]

Promotion

"Whatcha Say" was performed live by Derulo on Thanksgiving in Philadelphia for the 90th anniversary of the 6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade. The song was featured in Ben Affleck's film The Town.

The song was also featured on the popular CW show, Gossip Girl, in the episode "Treasure of Serena Madre", which premiered on November 30, 2009.

Music video

The music video was released as the free video of the week on iTunes on October 27, 2009. In the music video, Derulo is seen holding with his love interest on a couch inside a home invaded by sunlights, and later on during the video, he is outside her door, waiting impatiently for her to forgive him, and worrying her to let him in, which goes after the lyrics in his song, "So let me in, give me another chance..." The music video premiered on November 16, 2009 on AMTV. A music video was also released for the acoustic version, which features J. R. Rotem playing the piano.^[12]

Track listing

• CD single^[13]

1. "Whatcha Say" – 3:42
2. "Whatcha Say" (Acoustic Version) – 3:42

• Digital EP^[14]

1. "Whatcha Say" – 3:42
2. "Whatcha Say" (Acoustic Version) – 3:42
3. "Whatcha Say" (Klubjumpers Remix Radio) – 4:03
4. "Whatcha Say" (Johnny Vicious Remix) – 7:32
5. "Whatcha Say" (Wawa Remix Radio) – 3:24

• Maxi CD single^[15]

1. "Whatcha Say" – 3:42
2. "Whatcha Say" (Acoustic Version) – 3:42
3. "Whatcha Say" (Klubjumpers Remix Radio) – 4:03
4. "Whatcha Say" (Johnny Vicious Remix) – 7:32
5. "Whatcha Say" (Wawa Remix Radio) – 3:24
6. "Whatcha Say" (video) – 3:46

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2009–2010) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[16] 5 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 9 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[19] 23 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 3 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[21] 13 Denmark (Tracklisten)[22] 7 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[23] 12 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[24] 11 France (SNEP)[25] 10 France Download (SNEP)[26] 12 Germany (GfK)[27] 7 Hungary (Single Top 40)[28] 7 Ireland (IRMA)[29] 5 Israel (Media Forest)[30] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 12 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 22 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[34] 7 Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay)[35] 5 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[36] 25 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] 16 Spanish Airplay Chart[38] 11 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 4 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 5 UK Singles (OCC)[41] 3 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[42] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[43] 1 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[44] 28 US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[45] 3 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[46] 32 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[47] 1 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[48] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2009) Position Australia (ARIA)[49] 78 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[50] 63 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[51] 11 UK Singles (OCC)[52] 70 US Billboard Hot 100[53] 34 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[54] 39 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[55] 30 Chart (2010) Position Australia (ARIA)[56] 43 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[57] 62 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[58] 84 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[59] 44 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[60] 33 France (SNEP)[61] 68 Germany (Official German Charts)[62] 72 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[63] 61 Japanese Top 100[64] 38 Romanian Top 100[65] 50 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[66] 90 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[67] 56 UK Singles (OCC)[68] 158 US Billboard Hot 100[69] 43 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[70] 29 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[71] 30

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72]	4× Platinum	280,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[73]	Gold	15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[74]	4× Platinum	320,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[75]	Platinum	90,000‡
France (SNEP)[76]	Gold	100,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[77]	Gold	150,000^
Italy (FIMI)[78]	Gold	50,000‡
Japan (RIAJ)[79] Digital single	Gold	100,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[80]	3× Platinum	90,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[81]	Gold	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[82]	2× Platinum	1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[83]	5× Platinum	5,000,000[11]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

• List of number-one singles in 2010 (New Zealand)
• List of number-one R&B hits of 2009 (UK)
• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2009 (U.S.)
• List of Mainstream Top 40 number-one hits of 2009 (U.S.)
• List of Billboard Rhythmic number-one songs of the 2000s

References

1. "Jason Derulo : son clip avec Fanny J". Chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
2. Lewis, Pete. Jason Derulo interview, Blues & Soul, December 2009.
3. Jackson, Eboyne. "Grit and Sacrifice Pay Off for Jason Derulo". Amour Créole Magazine.
4. Lipshutz, Jason (October 5, 2009). "Heartbreak tale pays off for singer Jason Derulo". Reuters. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
5. Levine, Nick (November 20, 2009). "Jason Derulo". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
6. Derulo, Jason (January 13, 2010). "Jason Derulo "Whatcha Say" Sheet Music - Download & Print". musicnotes.com.
7. Gamboa, Glenn (September 8, 2009). "Hot Song". Newsday. p. B.7.
8. "Jason Derulo interview by Pete Lewis, August 2009". Blues & Soul. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
9. Smith, Troy L. (September 13, 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 2000s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
10. "The Billboard Hot 100: Week of November 12, 2009". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 12, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
11. Grein, Paul (June 4, 2014). "Chart Watch: 'Rude,' 'Summer' Hit Top 10". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
12. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say (Video)". YouTube. October 15, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
13. "Whatcha Say (2track): Amazon.de: Musik". amazon.de.
14. "Whatcha Say – EP by Jason Derulo". iTunes Store. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
15. "Whatcha Say: Amazon.de: Musik". amazon.de.
16. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
17. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
18. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
19. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in French). Ultratop 50.
20. "Jason Derulo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
21. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 04. týden 2010 in the date selector.
22. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Tracklisten.
23. "Hits of the World: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 49. December 12, 2009. p. 47.
24. "Jason Derulo: Whatcha Say" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
25. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in French). Les classement single.
26. "lescharts.com – Français" (in French). Les classement de telechargement single.
27. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
28. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
29. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Whatcha Say". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
30. "Media Forest Week 50, 2009". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
31. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Jason Derulo" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
32. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
33. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Top 40 Singles.
34. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". VG-lista.
35. "Media Forest – Weekly Charts. Media Forest. Retrieved April 20, 2010. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
36. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201004 into search.
37. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" Canciones Top 50.
38. "Promusicae (Week: January 1, 2010)" (PDF). Retrieved July 13, 2010.
39. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Singles Top 100.
40. "Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Swiss Singles Chart.
41. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
42. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
43. "Jason Derulo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
44. "Jason Derulo Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
45. "Jason Derulo Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
46. "Jason Derulo Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
47. "Jason Derulo Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
48. "Jason Derulo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
49. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2009". ARIA. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
50. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
51. "RIANZ". RIANZ. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
52. "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
53. "Year End Charts – Year-end songs – The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
54. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
55. "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
56. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
57. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2010". austriancharts.at. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
58. "Jaaroverzichten 2010". Ultratop. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
59. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
60. "European Hot 100". Billboard. December 31, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
61. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2010" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
62. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
63. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2010". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
64. "レコード協会調べ 2009年12月16日～2010年12月14日「着うたフル(R)」 2010年有料音楽配信「年間チャート」（通称：レコ協チャート）" [Record Association Analysis: December 16, 2009 – December 14, 2010 Full-length Cellphone Download 2010 paid digital sales "Yearly Chart" (Abbreviated: RIAJ Chart)] (PDF). RIAJ. December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
65. "Topul celor mai difuzate piese în România în 2010". România Liberă (in Romanian). Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
66. "Årslista Singlar – År 2010" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
67. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2010 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
68. "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
69. "Year End Charts – Year-end songs – The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
70. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
71. "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
72. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
73. "Austrian single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
74. "Canadian single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Music Canada. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
75. "Danish single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
76. "French single certifications – Multi-Artistes – Whatcha Say" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
77. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Jason Derulo; 'Whatcha Say')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
78. "Italian single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
79. "Japanese digital single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 6, 2014. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
80. "New Zealand single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Radioscope. Retrieved December 27, 2024. Type Whatcha Say in the "Search:" field.
81. "Spanish single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
82. "British single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
83. "American single certifications – Jason Derulo – Whatcha Say". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 16, 2019.

External links

• "Whatcha Say" music video on YouTube