Total (Total album)

Total
Studio album by
Total
Released January 30, 1996
Recorded 1995
Genre
Length 56:44
Label
Producer
Total chronology
Total
(1996) 		Kima, Keisha, and Pam
(1998)
Singles from Total
  1. "Can't You See"
    Released: March 27, 1995
  2. "No One Else"
    Released: November 28, 1995
  3. "Kissin' You"
    Released: April 15, 1996
  4. "Do You Think About Us?"
    Released: October 7, 1996

Total is the debut album by American female R&B trio Total. It was released by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on January 30, 1996 in the United States. Chiefly produced by Bad Boy head Sean "Puffy" Combs, the album peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top five of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Total was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned the hit singles "Can't You See", "No One Else", "Kissin' You" and "Do You Think About Us"/"When Boy Meets Girl".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly A−
The Los Angeles Times
Muzik

Allmusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "while the album is simply too long to sustain the quality" of their previous "singles "Can't You See" and "No One Else," most of the record is filled with deep, seductive funk that follows through on the group's promise." Entertainment Weekly's Dimitri Ehrlich wrote that "with a buttery delivery and enough sass to kill an elephant, this trio of hip-hop/soul vixens gives TLC good cause to be frightened. Brimming with irresistibly funky loops and gritty grooves, the self-titled Total is a pleasure from start to finish. Rap assists from label mate The Notorious B.I.G. are the cherry on top." Connie Johnson from The Los Angeles Times felt that "the three singers themselves generate little heat. The vocals on the best cuts, “Can't You See” and “Do You Think About Us?,” mostly evoke Faith Evans and T-Boz of TLC. Except for the lasciviousness of “Who Is This,” Total doesn't distinguish itself from other divas."

Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro" (featuring Puff Daddy)   Chad Elliott 0:54
2. "Do You Know"
3:23
3. "No One Else" (featuring Da Brat)
4:28
4. "Whose Is It?" (Interlude)  
2:28
5. "Kissin' You"
Saadiq 4:42
6. "Do You Think About Us?"
  • Saadiq
  • Johnson
 Saadiq 4:33
7. "Definition of a Bad Girl" (Interlude)  
  • Elliott
  • Combs
 1:10
8. "Can't You See" (featuring The Notorious B.I.G.)
Combs 4:41
9. "Someone like You"
  • Thompson
  • Combs
  • Smith
 4:35
10. "Tell Me"
  • Herbert
  • Burrell
 4:37
11. "Love Is All We Need"
  • Robinson
  • Thompson
  • Combs
  • Thompson
  • Combs
 4:00
12. "Don't Ever Change"
  • Robinson
  • Spivey
  • Thompson
  • Combs
  • Thompson
  • Combs
 4:14
13. "Spend Some Time"
  • Poke
  • Combs
 4:18
14. "When Boy Meets Girl"
4:18
15. "No One Else (Puff Daddy Remix)" (featuring Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown & Da Brat)
4:28

Sample credits

  • "Do You Know" contains a sample from "Same Beat (Part 1)" as performed by Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s.
  • "No One Else" contains a sample from "South Bronx" as performed by KRS-1.
  • "Can't You See" contains elements from "The Payback" as performed by James Brown.
  • "Someone like You" contains a sample from "Save their Souls" as performed by Hamilton Bohannon.
  • "Tell Me" contains a sample from "Help Somebody Please" as performed by The O'Jays.
  • "Love Is All We Need" contains excerpts from "Atomic Dog" as performed by George Clinton.
  • "Don't Ever Change" samples "Computer Love" as performed by Zapp.
  • "Spend Some Time" contains a sample from "Love TKO" as performed by Teddy Pendergrass.
  • "When Boy Meets Girl" incorporates re-recorded portions of "Love You Inside Out" as written and performed by The Bee Gees.

Credits

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.