Ghetto Day/What I Need

{{Infobox song

| name = Ghetto Day" / "What I Need

| cover = Crystal Waters - Ghetto Day-What I Need.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Crystal Waters

| album = Storyteller

| released =

June 20, 1994
October 1994 ("What I Need")

| recorded =

| studio = Basement Boys (Baltimore)

| genre =

Funk, hip hop ("Ghetto Day")
House ("What I Need")

| length =

{{Duration|m=3|s=32}} ("Ghetto Day"; album version)
{{Duration|m=3|s=14}} ("Ghetto Day"; radio mix)
{{Duration|m=3|s=20}} ("What I Need"; album version)
{{Duration|m=3|s=14}} ("What I Need"; LP radio edit)

| label =

| writer =

Crystal Waters, Sean Spencer ("Ghetto Day")
Crystal Waters, Doug Smith, Richard Payton ("What I Need")

| producer = The Basement Boys

| prev_title = 100% Pure Love

| prev_year = 1994

| title = Ghetto Day

| title2 = What I Need

| next_title = Relax

| next_year = 1995

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative cover

| type = Single

| cover = Crystal Waters - What I Need.png

| border =

| alt =

| caption = Separate single release of "What I Need"

}}

"Ghetto Day" and "What I Need" are two songs by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters, issued as a double A-side in June 1994 as the second single from her second studio album, Storyteller (1994). It was produced by the Basement Boys and released by Mercury Records, A&M Records and A&M's division AM PM.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=CD single |publisher=A&M / AM PM |id=858 959-2 |location=United Kingdom}} Waters and Sean Spencer wrote "Ghetto Day", which is a funk song that contains samples from The 5th Dimension's song "Stoned Soul Picnic" and Flavor Unit's "Flavor Unit Assassination Squad". According to Spin, the track's lyrics talk about "those balmy, front-stoop, 40-swinging summer afternoons."{{cite magazine |author=Spin staff(s) |date=June 1994 |title=Spins |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_4roLQT9sPgC&pg=PA99 |format=Google Books |journal=Spin |publisher=SpinMedia |volume=10 |issue=3 |page=99 |issn=0886-3032 |accessdate=April 4, 2018 }} The single's second A-side, "What I Need", is a house track written by Waters, Doug Smith and Richard Payton.

Contemporary critics complimented both songs and noted them as the album's highlights. Commercially, the joint release entered the top forty in the United Kingdom. "What I Need" was released separately in October 1994 and later became Waters' fourth single to top the US Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart.{{cite magazine|date=October 15, 1994|title=Maxi-Single Sales Chart for week ending Oct. 15, 1994|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-10-15.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=106|issue=48|page=26|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}{{cite web |url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Crystal+Waters&titel=What+I+Need&cat=s |title=Crystal Waters – What I Need |publisher=austriancharts.at |accessdate=April 13, 2018 }} It also reached the top spot of the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and {{abbr|No.|number}} 82 of the Billboard Hot 100. In other media, "What I Need" was featured in the film Double Dragon (1994) and an episode of television series So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

Compositions

Like the majority of songs on Storyteller (1994), both "Ghetto Day" and "What I Need" were produced, arranged and mixed by the Basement Boys, with Waters credited as their main writer. Additionally, Sean Spencer co-wrote the former track, and Doug Smith and Richard Payton co-wrote the latter.{{cite AV media notes |title=Storyteller |others=Crystal Waters |id=P2-22105 |year=1994 |type=CD liner notes |publisher=Mercury |location=United States }}

Musically, "Ghetto Day" is a mid-tempo{{cite magazine |last=Flick |first=Larry |date=March 5, 1994 |title=Crystal Waters shows new maturity on 'Storyteller' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA29 |format=Google Books |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |volume=106 |issue=10 |page=29 |issn=0006-2510 |accessdate=April 4, 2018 }} funk, hip hop{{cite magazine |last=Galvin |first=Peter |date=May 3, 1994 |title=Don't smoke |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9GMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA81 |format=Google Books |journal=The Advocate |publisher=Here Media |volume=654 |page=81 |issn=0001-8996 |accessdate=April 4, 2018 }} and doo-wop{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-22-ca-60607-story.html |title=*** Crystal Waters, "Storyteller"; Mercury |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 22, 1994 |access-date=April 13, 2018 |last=Hardy |first=Ernest }} track that has an "easy flow"{{cite magazine |author=Spin staff(s) |date=December 1994 |title=20 Best Albums of '94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rxPc6mYwIxEC&pg=PA78 |format=Google Books |journal=Spin |publisher=SpinMedia |volume=10 |issue=9 |page=78 |issn=0886-3032 |accessdate=April 4, 2018 }} and a "gently funky conversation" where Waters "opens up."{{cite magazine |last=Aaron |first=Charles |date=November 1994 |title=Singles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZURL7ud3IwsC&pg=PA93 |format=Google Books |journal=Spin |publisher=SpinMedia |volume=10 |issue=8 |page=93 |issn=0886-3032 |accessdate=April 4, 2018 }} Larry Flick of Billboard described the song as a "splash of cool retro-funk that is laced with licks" from its sampling of The 5th Dimension's "Stoned Soul Picnic". It also contains portions of Flavor Unit's 1991 track "Flavor Unit Assassination Squad". According to Jonathan Bernstein from Spin, the lyrical content of "Ghetto Day" "rhapsodizes about those balmy, front-stoop, 40-swinging summer afternoons." Charles Aaron from the same publication wrote of the lyrics: "Going home, she listens to Grandma talk to the Lord, babies scream, old men go tra-la-la, and her brother sing the praises of a 40-ounce on a sunny day."

On the other hand, "What I Need" was described as a house{{cite episode |series=So You Think You Can Dance Canada |title=Top 16 Performance |series-link=So You Think You Can Dance Canada |network=CTV |air-date=August 1, 2011 |season=4 |number=12 |language=en}} piece and one of the album's "jovial, upbeat" moments,{{cite magazine |author=Vibe staff(s) |date=1994 |title=Crystal Waters – Storyteller review |journal=Vibe |volume=2 |issue=4–6 |issn=1070-4701 }} where Waters performed her vocal in a "sick, tired, and simmering" manner.

Reception

=Critical reviews=

=="Ghetto Day"==

Peter Galvin of The Advocate stated that "Ghetto Day" was "more listener-friendly" than the other songs on the album, with lyrics that offered "a paradisaical view of life and love in the slums, made convincing by the use of a sample from Fifth Dimension's summery 'Stoned Soul Picnic'." A reviewer from Billboard called it "a languid, liquid sketch of a lazy city afternoon", and noted that "it gets the nod as [the album's] likeliest knockout contender."{{cite magazine|date=June 4, 1994 |last1=Verna |first1=Paul |last2=Gillen |first2=Marilyn A. |last3=Cronin |first3=Peter |title=Crystal Waters – Storyteller review |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-06-04.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=106|issue=23|page=84|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}} M.R. Martinez from Cash Box noted that she "goes for the "La Dee Da" with the optimistic “Ghetto Day", with its "tra-la-la-la" refrain."{{cite magazine|first=M.R.|last=Martinez|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-06-11.pdf|title=Urban — Reviews|magazine=Cash Box|date=June 11, 1994|page=|accessdate=February 28, 2022}} Also Fred DeUar of High Fidelity News and Record Review praised the sampling of 'Stoned Soul Picnic', stating that it was done "in the cause of better-class '90s pop."{{cite magazine |last=DeUar |first=Fred |date=1994 |title=Crystal Waters – Storyteller review |journal=High Fidelity News and Record Review |publisher=Link House Publications |volume=39 |issue=7–12 |page=87 }} Ernest Hardy from the Los Angeles Times called "Ghetto Day" a "sugary, hip hop, doo-wop inner-city fantasy".

Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, calling it "a breezy and funky mid-tempo song, purpose-made for radio play on a Summer afternoon."{{cite magazine|first= Andy |last= Beevers |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-18.pdf |title= Market Preview: Dance |magazine= Music Week |date= June 18, 1994 |page= 16 |accessdate= April 17, 2021}} Dele Fadele from NME wrote, "The Basement Boys cook up a summery, fluffy yet dance-directed soundscape and you've got the most beguiling pop record since Shanice's "I Love Your Smile"."{{cite magazine|first=Dele|last=Fadele|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53192355168|title=Singles|magazine=NME|date=June 25, 1994|page=43|access-date=October 1, 2023|author-link=Dele Fadele}} James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update deemed it a "radio aimed gorgeous gentle 90bpm summery hip hop soul" track.{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-25.pdf |title= Dj directory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= June 25, 1994 |page= 5 |accessdate= April 17, 2021 |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Michael Wilson from Rolling Stone viewed it as a "driving throwback" to '70s soul, where "Waters croons over a backbeat of choppy rhythm guitar and drums to evoke hot days on the streets."Wilson, Michael (August 25, 1994). "Recordings". Rolling Stone Issue 689. Spin{{'s}} Charles Aaron thought it was "a more sublime sound than any arm-twisting remix", while Jonathan Bernstein described it as "languid" and one of the "noteworthy" Storyteller tracks.

=="What I Need"==

Ron Wynn from AllMusic declared "What I Need" one of the album's best.{{cite web|last=Wynn |first=Ron |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/storyteller-mw0000112253 |title=Crystal Waters – Storyteller review |website=AllMusic |accessdate=April 14, 2018}} Billboard{{'s}} Larry Flick labelled it a "floor-filler"{{cite magazine|last=Flick|first=Larry|date=December 24, 1994|title=Dance club acts rise yet still hang left of mainstream|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36|format=Google Books|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=106|issue=52|page=36|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}} and an "upbeat rouser."{{cite magazine|last=Flick|first=Larry|date=November 26, 1994|title=Conn. DJ/Producer & Artist Keeps Uplifting Tunes in Mix|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53|format=Google Books|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=106|issue=48|page=53|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard|author-link=Larry Flick}} Another reviewer from the same publication thought "What I Need" was one of the hits to be had from Storyteller. Vibe magazine stated "What I Need" and "100% Pure Love", the album's first single, "ooze with giddy abandon—not to mention juicy grooves that seep deeper into the brain and body upon repeated spins." "What I Need" was claimed by Spin{{'s}} Bernstein to have "xeroxed" Clivillés and Cole's 1991 single "A Deeper Love". However, he predicted that it could have been a potential successor to her previous signature hits, "Gypsy Woman" and "Makin' Happy".

=Commercial performance=

"Ghetto Day" and "What I Need" were released as a double A-side single on June 20, 1994.{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=June 18, 1994}} The joint release peaked at {{abbr|No.|number}} 40 on the UK Singles Chart and at No. 94 on the ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart.{{cite journal|date=October 30, 1994|title=The ARIA Report|journal=The ARIA Report|issue=246|page=3}} In October 1994, Mercury Records released "What I Need" separately, and later sent the track to contemporary hit radios in January 1995. It eventually gained Waters her fourth No. 1 single on the Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart of November 5, 1994. On the chart's year-end edition of 1994, it peaked at No. 42.{{cite magazine|last=Flick|first=Larry|date=December 24, 1994|title=The year in Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48|format=Google Books|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=106|issue=52|page=48|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}} The song also topped the Bubbling Under Hot 100 before reaching No. 82 of the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|date=February 25, 1995|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles for week ending February 25, 1995|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-02-25.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=107|issue=8|page=149|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}} However, the latter entry was the singer's lowest peak on the chart. "What I Need" also climbed to No. 7 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales and No. 32 on the Top 40 Airplay Rhythm-Crossover.{{cite magazine|date=March 11, 1995|title=Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales for week ending Mar. 11, 1995|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-03-11.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=107|issue=10|page=23|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}{{cite magazine|date=February 18, 1995|title=Top 40 Airplay Rhythm-Crossover for week ending February 18, 1995|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-02-18.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=107|issue=7|page=112|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}

Promotion and other usages

The music video for "Ghetto Day" marked Waters' second work with German director Marcus Nispel, following "100% Pure Love".{{cite web |url=http://iamcrystalwaters.com/site/videos/ |title=Videos |publisher=Crystal Waters' website |accessdate=April 14, 2018}} It shows the singer performing around an African-American neighborhood, with scenes tinted in a yellow-orange tone. Pam Thomas directed the video for "What I Need", which consists of scenes of Waters shot primarily in a bathroom. BET added the clips to the channel's playlist in late August 1994 and early March 1995, respectively.{{cite magazine|date=September 3, 1994|title=Video Monitor for week ending August 21, 1994|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-09-03.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=106|issue=36|page=57|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}{{cite magazine|date=March 18, 1995|title=Video Monitor for week ending March 5, 1995|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-03-18.pdf|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|volume=107|issue=11|page=44|issn=0006-2510|accessdate=April 4, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}

Waters performed "Ghetto Day" on the June 30, 1994, episode of British music-chart television programme Top of the Pops.{{cite episode |series=Top of the Pops |series-link=Top of the Pops |network=BBC One |air-date=June 30, 1994 |season=31 |number=27 |language=en}} "100% Pure Love" and "What I Need" were subsequently featured in the 1994 action film Double Dragon, but only the latter was included on its soundtrack album.{{cite AV media |people=Yukich, James (Director) |date=November 4, 1994 |title=Double Dragon |medium=Motion picture |publisher=Gramercy Pictures}}{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/double-dragon-music-from-the-motion-picture-soundtrack/337719207 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074847/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/double-dragon-music-from-the-motion-picture-soundtrack/337719207 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2018 |title=Various Artists – Double Dragon (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) |publisher=iTunes Store (US) |accessdate=April 17, 2018}} During the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, two contestants—JP Dubé and Geisha Chin—performed "What I Need" on its twelfth episode which aired on August 1, 2011.

Formats and track listings

="Ghetto Day" / "What I Need"=

Australia, Europe and UK maxi single; international 12-inch single{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=CD single |publisher=Mercury |id=858 959-2 |location=Australia}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=CD single |publisher=Mercury |id=858 959-2 |location=Europe}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=12-inch single |publisher=A&M / AM PM |id=858 959-1 |location=Europe and United Kingdom}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=12-inch single |publisher=Mercury |id=858 959-1 |location=United States}}

"Ghetto Day" {{small|(Radio Mix)}} – 3:20
"What I Need" {{small|(Bad Yard Club)}} – 10:35
"What I Need" {{small|(Basement Boys Remix)}} – 8:45

UK 7-inch and cassette single{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=7-inch single |publisher=A&M Records |id=858 958-7 |location=United Kingdom}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Ghetto Day / What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=Cassette single |publisher=A&M Records / AM PM |id=858-958-4 |location=United Kingdom}}

"Ghetto Day" {{small|(Radio Mix)}} – 3:20
"What I Need" {{small|(Bad Yard Club)}} – 10:35

="What I Need"=

Canada maxi single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1995 |type=CD single |publisher=Mercury |id=422 858 927-2 |location=Canada }}

"What I Need" {{small|(LP Radio Edit)}} – 3:14
"What I Need" {{small|(Club Mix)}} – 8:16
"What I Need" {{small|(Hump Mix)}} – 4:18
"What I Need" {{small|(B.Y.C. Mix)}} – 10:35
"What I Need" {{small|(Erick "More" Mix)}} – 6:55
"100% Pure Love" {{small|(Erick "More" Vocal Mix)}} – 9:29

France CD single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1995 |type=CD single |publisher=Mercury |id=856 620-2 |location=France }}

"What I Need" {{small|(LP Radio Edit)}} – 3:14
"What I Need" {{small|(Erick "More" Radio Edit)}} – 3:29

Germany remix maxi single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need (Erick "More" Mix) |others=Crystal Waters |year=1995 |type=CD single |publisher=Mercury |id=856 623-2 |location=Germany }}

"What I Need" {{small|(Erick "More" Mix)}} – 6:55
"100% Pure Love" {{small|(Erick "More" Vocal Mix)}} – 9:29
"Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee)" {{small|(Strip to the Bone Mix)}} – 7:32

Italy and US 12-inch single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need / 100% Pure Love |others=Crystal Waters |year=1995 |type=12-inch single |publisher=Mercury |id=856 617-1 |location=Italy and United States }}

"What I Need" {{small|(Erick "More" Mix)}} – 6:55
"What I Need" {{small|(Erick "More" Phearce Dub)}} – 5:11
"What I Need" {{small|(Club Mix)}} – 8:16
"100% Pure Love" {{small|(Erick "More" Vocal Mix)}} – 9:29

UK and US maxi single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1995 |type=CD single |publisher=Mercury |id=856 621-2 |location=United States }}

"What I Need" {{small|(LP Radio Edit)}} – 3:14
"What I Need" {{small|(Erick "More" Radio Edit)}} – 3:29
"What I Need" {{small|(Radio Remix Edit)}} – 3:47
"What I Need" {{small|(B.Y.C. Radio Mix)}} – 3:53

US 12-inch single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=12-inch single |publisher=Mercury |id=858 927-1 |location=United States }}

"What I Need" {{small|(Club Mix)}} – 8:16
"What I Need" {{small|(Hump Mix)}} – 4:18
"What I Need" {{small|(B.Y.C. Mix)}} – 10:35
"Ghetto Day" {{small|(LP Version)}} – 3:32

US cassette single{{Cite AV media notes |title=What I Need |others=Crystal Waters |year=1994 |type=Cassette |publisher=Mercury |id=856 404-4 |location=United States }}

"What I Need" {{small|(Radio Re-Mix)}} – 4:12
"Ghetto Day" {{small|(LP Version)}} – 3:32

Credits

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Storyteller.

Recording and management

Recorded at Basement Boys Studios (Baltimore)
Mastered by Herb "The Pump" Powers at The Hit Factory (New York City)
"Ghetto Day" contains portions of "Stoned Soul Picnic", written by Laura Nyro and performed by The 5th Dimension, published by EMI Music (BMI), and "Flavor Unit Assassination Squad" by the Flavor Unit, published by Tuff City Music
Managed by Vito Bruno for AM/PM Entertainment

Personnel for "Ghetto Day"

Teddy Douglas – production, vocal production, arrangement, engineering, mixing
Jay Steinhour – production, arrangement, mixing, engineering
Crystal Waters – vocal, writing, background vocal
Sean Spencer – writing, drums
Eric "Moe" Rosenberg – editing
Gerry Brown – engineering, mixing
Brian "G" – engineering (tracking)
Gerry E. Brown – mixing
Gary Hudgins – keyboards
Hoza Clowney – keyboards
Kenny Hicks – background vocal, vocal production, vocal arrangement
Audrey Wheeler – background vocal
DJ Noodles – scratching
Wayne Cooper – guitar
P Funk Horn Section – live horns

Personnel for "What I Need"

Teddy Douglas – production, arrangement, mixing, drums, engineering (tracking)
Jay Steinhour – production, arrangement, mixing, drums
Crystal Waters – vocal, writing
Doug Smith – writing, keyboards, drums
Richard Payton – writing, drums, keyboards
Eric "Moe" Rosenberg – editing
95 North – mixing
David Sussman – engineering
Greg Thomas – background vocal
Novelair Thomas – background vocal
Greg Boyer – trombone

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (1994–95) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"
scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA) \| 94
scope="row"\|Canada Dance/Urban (RPM){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6679&\|title=Dance/Urban – Volume 60, No. 16 Nov 07, 1994\|magazine=RPM\|date=November 7, 1994\|accessdate=August 26, 2021}} {{small\|"What I Need"}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Scotland\|50\|date=1994-07-02\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
{{single chart\|UK\|40\|date=1994-07-02\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=April 19, 2018\|refname="uksingles"}}
{{single chart\|UKdance\|23\|date=1994-07-03\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=April 19, 2018\|refname="ukdance"}}
scope="row"\|UK Dance (Music Week){{cite magazine\|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-07-02.pdf \|title= Dance Singles \|magazine= Music Week \|date= July 2, 1994 \|page= 26 \|accessdate= April 26, 2021}} \| 8
scope="row"\|UK Club Chart (Music Week){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-25.pdf\|title=The RM Club Chart\|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)\|date=June 25, 1994\|page=6\|accessdate=May 17, 2023}} \| 8
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|82\|artist=Crystal Waters\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=April 17, 2018\|refname="us"\|note="What I Need"}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddanceclubplay\|1\|artist=Crystal Waters\|accessdate=April 11, 2018\|rowheader=true\|refname="usdance"\|note="What I Need"}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddancesales\|7\|artist=Crystal Waters\|accessdate=March 15, 2023\|rowheader=true\|note="What I Need"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrhythmic\|30\|artist=Crystal Waters\|accessdate=March 15, 2023\|rowheader=true\|note="What I Need"}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"

scope="col"| Chart (1994)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"|Canada Dance/Urban (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2684&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=b276f8ju3l7iljpnkpteccdbh2|title=Canada Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1994|magazine=RPM|accessdate=August 26, 2021}}
{{small|"What I Need"}}

| style="text-align:center;"|37

scope="row"|US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)
{{small|"What I Need"}}

| style="text-align:center;"|42