Vivian (album)

Vivian is the second studio album by American neo soul singer Vivian Green, released by Columbia on May 31, 2005 in Japan and June 28, 2005 in the United States. The album involves production by Scott Storch and James Poyser with additional production from Anthony Bell, Junius Bervine, and Adam Black Stone, among others. Vivian spawned three singles: "Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)", "I Like It (But I Don't Need It)" and "Cursed". The album debut at number eighteen on Billboard 200 chart on the issue dated July 16, 2005 with first-week sales of 46,000 copies.[3]

Vivian
Studio album by
Vivian Green
ReleasedMay 31, 2005
Recorded
Genre
Length54:39
LabelColumbia
Producer
Vivian Green chronology
A Love Story
(2002)		 Vivian
(2005)		 Beautiful
(2010)
Singles from 'Vivian'
  1. "Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)"
    Released: May 3, 2005[2]
  2. "I Like It (But I Don't Need It)"
    Released: July 26, 2005
  3. "Cursed"
    Released: 2005

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
East Bay Expressfavorable[4]
People[5]
PopMatters[6]
Rolling Stone[7]
SoulTracksmixed[8]
Sun-Sentinelfavorable[9]
The Pitchfavorable[10]
Time Out Chicagofavorable[11]
Vibe[12]

People magazine called the album a "satisfying sophomore outing" and wrote: "Vivian, with its more straightforward contemporary soul, lacks the jazzy shadings of the superior A Love Story, and the last third of the disc suffers from a few forgettable tracks. By then, however, Green and her everywoman appeal have already left a winning impression."[5] Allmusic editor Andy Kellman felt that Green "sounds more sure of herself here than on A Love Story, and she's also more convincing, regardless of the scenario she's placed within. A few extraneous songs do weigh Vivian down, but it's still a marked improvement over her debut."[1]

PopMatters critic Steve Horowitz found that while "Vivian has many merits, the disc does suffer from too much of the same thing. Not only are the lyrics repetitive in nature, but the basic instrumentation and static beats get tiresome [...] Vivian may be more radio friendly as a result."[6] Rolling Stone journalist Barry Walters remarked that "trading the jazzy retro-soul of her debut for overly familiar mainstream R&B; beats, Green now strains her pipes like every other overwrought wanna-be diva, with diminished results. Too many tortured relationship songs suggest Green should consider musical and couples counseling."[7]

Chart performance

Vivian debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200,[3] and at number 5 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, scoring first-week sales of 46,000 copies.[13]

The first single from the album, "Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)", peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[13] The single became Green's second top 40 hit on the chart and her second chart-topped on the Hot Dance Club Songs after 2003's "Emotional Rollercoaster."[13] The second single from the album was "I Like It (But I Don't Need It)," another number-one hit on the Hot Dance Club Songs. Third and final single from the album was "Cursed". Released in late 2005, the single didn't match the commercial success of the previous two singles, peaking at a number 2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, which is equivalent to number 102 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[13]

Track listing
Vivian – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Wish We Could Go Back"
  • Storch
3:37
2."Mad"
  • Green
  • Storch
  • Storch
3:38
3."Frustrated"
  • Green
  • Anthony Bell
  • Ronald Frost
3:39
4."Damn"
  • Green
  • Junius Bervine
  • Clay Sears
3:40
5."Selfish"
  • Blackstone
  • McKie
  • Green[a]
4:35
6."Under My Skin"
  • Poyser
3:53
7."I Like It (But I Don't Need It)"
  • Poyser
  • Vicious
  • Green[a]
4:10
8."Sweet Memory (Beautifully Young)"
  • Green
  • Poyser
4:24
9."Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)"
  • Green
  • Bervine
4:36
10."Perfect Decision"
  • Green
  • Poyser
  • Zukhan Bey
3:58
11."All About Us"
  • Green
  • Bervine
3:40
12."Sweet Thing"
  • Green
  • McKie
  • Steven Green
  • McKie
  • Steven Green
  • Green[a]
3:37
13."Cursed"
  • Green
  • Raymel Menefee
  • Poyser
  • Bey
4:24
14."Outro (Family & Friends)"
  • Darryl Crawford
  • Courtney Fleming
  • S. Green
  • Spida Hole Productions
2:46
Vivian – iTunes edition[14]
No.TitleLength
15."Can't Say It Enough"3:27
Vivian – Special edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Fanatic" (Scott Storch Remix)
  • Green
  • Fred Kenney
  • Kenney
  • Storch[b]
4:14
16."I Like It (But I Don't Need It)" (Poker Face Remix)
  • Green
  • Poyser
  • Vicious
  • Kenney
  • Poker Face[b]
2:40
Notes
  • ^[a] denotes co-producer
  • ^[b] denotes additional producer

Credits
  • David Barnett – viola
  • Anthony Bell – multi instruments, producer, engineer, string arrangements
  • Junius Bervine – multi instruments, producer
  • Zukhan Bey – programming, producer
  • Adam Blackstone – multi instruments, producer
  • Jim Bottari – engineer
  • Jeff Bradshaw – trombone
  • Alice Butts – art direction, design
  • Angela Carter – A&R, management
  • Chauncey Childs – executive producer, management
  • Carl Cox, Jr. – saxophone
  • Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing
  • Jenny DLorenzo –cello
  • Omar Edwards – keyboards
  • Ghislaine Fleishman – violin
  • Larry Gold – string arrangements
  • Conrad Golding – engineer
  • Steve Green – programming
  • Kevin Hanson – guitar
  • Kam Houff – engineer, mixing
  • Gloria Justin – violin
  • Emma Kummrow – violin
  • Sandy Leem – viola
  • Keith Major – photography
  • John McGlinchey – assistant engineer
  • Steve McKie – drums, multi instruments, producer
  • Julie Miller – engineer
  • Ryan Moys – engineer
  • Ben ONeill – guitar
  • Kevin Patrick – producer, A&R
  • James Poyser – piano, keyboards, programming, producer, string arrangements
  • Tony Prendatt – mixing
  • Clayton Sears – guitar, producer
  • Marni Senofonte – wardrobe
  • Eric Spearman – make-Up
  • Scott Storch – producer
  • Igor Szwec – violin
  • Chris Theis – mixing
  • Stephen Tirpak – trumpet
  • Steve Tirpak – trumpet
  • Tish Hair – stylist
  • Chuck Treese – guitar
  • Che Vicious – programming, producer, mixing
  • Christopher Weatherbe – keyboards

Charts
Chart (2005) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[3] 18
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 5

Release history
List of release dates, showing country, format, label, edition, and reference
Country Date Edition Format Label Ref.
Japan May 31, 2005
  • Standard
  • special
[15]
United States June 28, 2005 [14][16]

References
  1. Kellman, Andy. "Vivian". AllMusic. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  2. "Gotta Go, Gotta Leave - Vivian Green | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  3. "Vivian Green Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  4. East Bay Express review
  5. "Picks and Pans Review: Vivian Green". People. Archived from the original on 2013-11-10. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  6. Horowitz, Steve. "Vivian Green: Vivian". PopMatters. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  7. Walters, Barry. "Rolling Stone review". Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  8. Rizik, Chris (July 2005). "Vivian Green - Vivian (2005)". SoulTracks. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  9. Sun-Sentinel review
  10. The Pitch review
  11. Time Out Chicago review
  12. Cummings, Jozen (July 2005). "A/B Conversation". Vibe. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  13. "Vivian Green Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  14. "iTunes - Music - Vivian by Vivian Green". Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  15. "Vivian - Vivian Green - Release Information, Reviews and Credits - AllMusic". Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  16. "Amazon.com: Vivian: Vivian Green: Music". Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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