If Only You Knew
Encyclopedia
If Only You Knew was a single written and produced primarily by Dexter Wansel
and Cynthia Biggs for American
singer Patti LaBelle
's sixth solo album, I'm in Love Again
. It was released as the album's official first single
in 1983, spending four weeks at number one on the U.S.
R&B charts
during January and February 1984, and reached number forty-six on the Billboard Hot 100
marking her first crossover pop hit.
(later known as Labelle), and then brief commercial success in her now-dormant solo career. While LaBelle had enjoyed critical success with her self-titled solo album
and four subsequent albums following that on Epic Records
, none of the records translated to commercial success, as had been a problem during her long tenure with Labelle, who only had one major hit, "Lady Marmalade
", in 1975.
While respected for her longevity in the music business, LaBelle's recordings were not easily marketable as producers struggled to find a hit for the singer. While LaBelle was regarded as an exciting live performer, neither one of the nine singles LaBelle released as a solo artist failed to hit the top of either the pop and R&B charts, and her four albums with Epic had performed only marginally successful. Seeking a change in direction, CBS Records
, the parent label for Epic Records, transferred the singer's contract to Philadelphia International Records
, co-founded by the singer's hometown friends, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
The label helped to produce her first album for PIR, The Spirit's In It
. Due to PIR's fallout with pop audiences at the end of the seventies and again struggling to find a recording suitable to become a major hit for the singer, the album failed to produce hits like her previous four offerings.
titled "If Only You Knew". Dexter Wansel
and co-writer Cynthia Biggs had written lyrics and composition to a song about a woman who was seeking an unsuspecting love interest. During initial recording sessions, LaBelle and Wansel argued over the direction of how to approach the song. While LaBelle had wanted to sing it in a straightforward approach, Wansel wanted the singer to deliver it mid-range and also produce a smile as she sang the verses because "her vocals were clearer when she smiled". LaBelle agreed to a compromise to have her sing the verses in a softer tone while delivering the final chorus with a louder vocal range of her soprano
vocals.
The song sat on a shelf for two years and after seeking archival songs to fit the track listing of the singer's upcoming sophomore PIR album, I'm In Love Again
, Gamble & Huff chose this particular ballad as part of the album. The song was titled "If Only You Knew" after Gamble settled a dispute between the musical composer Wansel and lyricist Biggs over a lyric line.
, rhythm guitar
and strings
, which was arranged by longtime PIR arranger, John R. Faith. The song starts off in E major
and is D flat in the verses.
chart for four weeks. LaBelle wrote in her memoirs, Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime, that she got so excited hearing the news of the song reaching number-one on the R&B charts that she jumped on the top of her bed in celebration.
The song eventually crossed over to pop radio becoming a moderate success reaching number forty-six on the Billboard Hot 100
, marking LaBelle's first-ever entry on the Hot 100 as a solo artist, six and a half years after going solo. It was also LaBelle's first ever solo single to hit number-one on the R&B chart. Prior to its release, LaBelle's biggest charted song was the Grover Washington ballad, "The Best Is Yet To Come
", which reached number fourteen on the R&B chart in early 1983, resulting in the singer's first Grammy nomination. Besides "Lady Marmalade" with Labelle and "On My Own" with Michael McDonald
, "If Only You Knew" remains LaBelle's sole number-one hit on the R&B charts as a solo artist.
The success of the song helped I'm In Love Again reach gold status in the U.S., her first solo album to do so. "If Only You Knew" has gone on to be one of the singer's signature song
s in her solo career. LaBelle re-recorded the song for her 1990s live albums, Live! in 1992, and One Night Only! in 1998, but only performing the first verse of the original song.
, who recorded it on his 1994 album, Pure Pleasure and Keke Wyatt
, who recorded it on her debut solo album, Soul Sista
. Wyatt said LaBelle called her to congratulate her on her recording of the song, saying humorously, "you better sing it, heffa". Singer-actress D'Atra Hicks also covered it for her album, Finally My Time. Singer Oke
also covered the song (in its Keke Wyatt-styled cover) in 2001.
Chicago-based
rap group Do or Die
recorded an interpretative rap version with Twista
and Syleena Johnson
guest vocalizing on their album, D.O.D.
, as did Remy Ma
on her mixtape, BlasRemy, as a dedication to then-boyfriend (now husband), Papoose
. Remy's version sampled LaBelle's original. Another sample of the song came from Chicano
rapper Capone
, who had a song with the same name. Rapper Bizzy Bone
included the sample of the song as an interpretation of his composition, "Nobody Can Stop Me", from his Heaven'z Movie album. In 2010, both Jasmine V
and Ciara
recorded the song "If Only", which interpolated parts of the LaBelle song. Jasmine's version was recorded as a demo while Ciara's version was deleted off the final track list of her album, Basic Instinct
.
Other artists such as SWV
(and group member Coko
), Ledisi
, Tamia
, Rachelle Ferrell
, Ron Isley, Brian McKnight
and Mariah Carey
have covered the song in concert with the latter five singing the song in tribute to LaBelle as she was honored. Carey featured LaBelle's rendition of "Over the Rainbow" as part of her live tribute following a brief performance of "If Only You Knew".
Dexter Wansel
Dexter Gilman Wansel is an American keyboardist, raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He contributed to the development of the Philly Sound and worked with producers Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International Records. Wansel led the musical group, Yellow Sunshine...
and Cynthia Biggs for American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
's sixth solo album, I'm in Love Again
I'm in Love Again
I'm In Love Again is the sixth solo album released by singer Patti LaBelle in late 1983. Featuring the hits "If Only You Knew" and "Love, Need and Want You", this album is credited with reviving the singer's career after years of chart struggles on both the pop and R&B charts.-History:Patti LaBelle...
. It was released as the album's official first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in 1983, spending four weeks at number one on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B charts
R&B number-one hits of 1984 (USA)
These are the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart number one hits of 1984:See also: 1984 in music, List of number-one R&B hits...
during January and February 1984, and reached number forty-six on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
marking her first crossover pop hit.
Overview
By 1981, Patti LaBelle had endured a 20-year career in music experiencing minor and major success, first with her longtime group, Patti LaBelle and the BluebellesLabelle
Labelle is an American all female singing group who were a popular vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s. The group was formed after the disbanding of two rival girl groups in the Philadelphia/Trenton areas, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris, forming as a new version of the former group, later changing...
(later known as Labelle), and then brief commercial success in her now-dormant solo career. While LaBelle had enjoyed critical success with her self-titled solo album
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
and four subsequent albums following that on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, none of the records translated to commercial success, as had been a problem during her long tenure with Labelle, who only had one major hit, "Lady Marmalade
Lady Marmalade
"Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#...
", in 1975.
While respected for her longevity in the music business, LaBelle's recordings were not easily marketable as producers struggled to find a hit for the singer. While LaBelle was regarded as an exciting live performer, neither one of the nine singles LaBelle released as a solo artist failed to hit the top of either the pop and R&B charts, and her four albums with Epic had performed only marginally successful. Seeking a change in direction, CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
, the parent label for Epic Records, transferred the singer's contract to Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by writer-producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. It was famous for showcasing the sub-genre of Philadelphia soul music and released a string of worldwide hits during the decade.-History:...
, co-founded by the singer's hometown friends, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
The label helped to produce her first album for PIR, The Spirit's In It
The Spirit's in It
The Spirit's in It is a 1981 album released by singer Patti LaBelle. The album was her first release off Philadelphia International Records after coming off a four-year contract with Epic Records and four studio albums...
. Due to PIR's fallout with pop audiences at the end of the seventies and again struggling to find a recording suitable to become a major hit for the singer, the album failed to produce hits like her previous four offerings.
Recording
LaBelle recorded a dozen songs that didn't make the final track listing of The Spirit's In It. Among those songs was a mid-tempo pop balladBallad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
titled "If Only You Knew". Dexter Wansel
Dexter Wansel
Dexter Gilman Wansel is an American keyboardist, raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He contributed to the development of the Philly Sound and worked with producers Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International Records. Wansel led the musical group, Yellow Sunshine...
and co-writer Cynthia Biggs had written lyrics and composition to a song about a woman who was seeking an unsuspecting love interest. During initial recording sessions, LaBelle and Wansel argued over the direction of how to approach the song. While LaBelle had wanted to sing it in a straightforward approach, Wansel wanted the singer to deliver it mid-range and also produce a smile as she sang the verses because "her vocals were clearer when she smiled". LaBelle agreed to a compromise to have her sing the verses in a softer tone while delivering the final chorus with a louder vocal range of her soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
vocals.
The song sat on a shelf for two years and after seeking archival songs to fit the track listing of the singer's upcoming sophomore PIR album, I'm In Love Again
I'm in Love Again
I'm In Love Again is the sixth solo album released by singer Patti LaBelle in late 1983. Featuring the hits "If Only You Knew" and "Love, Need and Want You", this album is credited with reviving the singer's career after years of chart struggles on both the pop and R&B charts.-History:Patti LaBelle...
, Gamble & Huff chose this particular ballad as part of the album. The song was titled "If Only You Knew" after Gamble settled a dispute between the musical composer Wansel and lyricist Biggs over a lyric line.
Background and composition
"If Only You Knew" was recorded in July 1981 at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios and written and composed by Dexter Wansel and Cynthia Biggs with Wansel as its producer. It was released two years later in October 1983 as the first song off LaBelle's 1983 release, I'm In Love Again. Wansel featured drums, bassBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
and strings
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
, which was arranged by longtime PIR arranger, John R. Faith. The song starts off in E major
E major
E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps .Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor....
and is D flat in the verses.
Reception
The song had a slow climb to the top of the R&B charts after its debut in October 1983, reaching the top 10 by December of the year and peaking at number-one in January 1984, staying at the top spot of Billboard's Hot Black SinglesHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart for four weeks. LaBelle wrote in her memoirs, Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime, that she got so excited hearing the news of the song reaching number-one on the R&B charts that she jumped on the top of her bed in celebration.
The song eventually crossed over to pop radio becoming a moderate success reaching number forty-six on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, marking LaBelle's first-ever entry on the Hot 100 as a solo artist, six and a half years after going solo. It was also LaBelle's first ever solo single to hit number-one on the R&B chart. Prior to its release, LaBelle's biggest charted song was the Grover Washington ballad, "The Best Is Yet To Come
The Best Is Yet To Come (Grover Washington Jr. song)
"The Best Is Yet To Come" is a 1982 song written by Philadelphia-based songwriters Cynthia Biggs and Dexter Wansel, who also produced the song as a duet between jazz saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. and American recording artist Patti LaBelle. It was released as a single in February 1983 on...
", which reached number fourteen on the R&B chart in early 1983, resulting in the singer's first Grammy nomination. Besides "Lady Marmalade" with Labelle and "On My Own" with Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald (singer)
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
, "If Only You Knew" remains LaBelle's sole number-one hit on the R&B charts as a solo artist.
The success of the song helped I'm In Love Again reach gold status in the U.S., her first solo album to do so. "If Only You Knew" has gone on to be one of the singer's signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
s in her solo career. LaBelle re-recorded the song for her 1990s live albums, Live! in 1992, and One Night Only! in 1998, but only performing the first verse of the original song.
Covers and samples
The most notable covers of the song were by jazz singer Phil PerryPhil Perry
Phil Perry is an American R&B singer, songwriter, musician and a former member of the soul group The Montclairs from 1971 to 1975.- Biography :...
, who recorded it on his 1994 album, Pure Pleasure and Keke Wyatt
Keke Wyatt
Ketara Shavon "Keke" Wyatt is a multi-talented American R&B recording artist. She became popular after a highly successful collaboration with R&B singer Avant on his platinum album My Thoughts...
, who recorded it on her debut solo album, Soul Sista
Soul Sista
Soul Sista is the debut album by American R&B and soul singer-songwriter KeKe Wyatt, released in the United States on November 13, 2001 by MCA Records and produced by Steve Huff. The album peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200, and has sold 494,000 copies in the U.S. It was eventually certified gold...
. Wyatt said LaBelle called her to congratulate her on her recording of the song, saying humorously, "you better sing it, heffa". Singer-actress D'Atra Hicks also covered it for her album, Finally My Time. Singer Oke
Oke
The , were branches of the Japanese Imperial Family created from branches of the Fushimi-no-miya house. All but one of the ōke were formed by the descendants of Prince Fushimi Kuniye. The ōke were stripped of their membership in the Imperial Family by the American Occupation Authorities in...
also covered the song (in its Keke Wyatt-styled cover) in 2001.
Chicago-based
Chicago hip hop
-Gritty/Grimy:Chicago hip hop or Chicago rap music, has no uniform sound or standard style similar to East Coast hip hop. Chicago hip hop often varies between Alternative hip hop, Gangsta rap, and Hardcore rap depending on the area of Chicago the rapper is from....
rap group Do or Die
Do or Die
Do or Die is an American rap trio originally from Chicago, Illinois, consisting of group members Belo Zero, N.A.R.D. and AK-47. The trio has sold more than 3 million albums. The group experienced mainstream success with the gold single "Po Pimp", Produced by The Legendary Traxster off of their...
recorded an interpretative rap version with Twista
Twista
Carl Terrell Mitchell , better known by his stage name Twista, is an American rapper. He is known for once holding the title of fastest rapper in the world according to Guinness World Records in 1992, being able to pronounce 598 syllables in 55 seconds...
and Syleena Johnson
Syleena Johnson
Syleena Johnson is a Grammy award-nominated American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress.-Biography:...
guest vocalizing on their album, D.O.D.
D.O.D.
D.O.D. is the sixth album released by rap group, Do or Die. It was released on February 1, 2005 for Atlantic Records sub-label, The Legion and featured production from the likes of Kanye West, Scott Storch, The Legendary Traxster and DJ Quik...
, as did Remy Ma
Remy Ma
Reminisce Smith , better known by her stage name Remy Ma, formerly known as Remy Martin, is a Grammy nominated American rapper and former member of Fat Joe's rap crew, Terror Squad...
on her mixtape, BlasRemy, as a dedication to then-boyfriend (now husband), Papoose
Papoose (rapper)
Shamele Mackie , better known by his stage name Papoose , is an American rapper.-Biography:Born March 5, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York City by Sierra Leone and Native American parents, Papoose made his first attempts at rapping at the age of 7. He was given his name by his grandma Vivian because of...
. Remy's version sampled LaBelle's original. Another sample of the song came from Chicano
Chicano
The terms "Chicano" and "Chicana" are used in reference to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. However, those terms have a wide range of meanings in various parts of the world. The term began to be widely used during the Chicano Movement, mainly among Mexican Americans, especially in the movement's...
rapper Capone
Capone
Kiam Akasi Holley better known as Capone, is an American rapper of the hardcore hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga, who hails from the Queensbridge houses in Queens, New York. He is also of Haitian descent....
, who had a song with the same name. Rapper Bizzy Bone
Bizzy Bone
Bryon Anthony McCane II , better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone, is an American rapper and a member of the Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.- Solo career :Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998...
included the sample of the song as an interpretation of his composition, "Nobody Can Stop Me", from his Heaven'z Movie album. In 2010, both Jasmine V
Jasmine Villegas
Jasmine Marie Villegas also known as Jasmine V is an American teen R&B, pop and soul singer. She has Filipino and Mexican heritage. After many years of pursuing a career in music she was recently signed to Sony Music. In September 2010 she joined the second leg of Justin Bieber's My World Tour as...
and Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
recorded the song "If Only", which interpolated parts of the LaBelle song. Jasmine's version was recorded as a demo while Ciara's version was deleted off the final track list of her album, Basic Instinct
Basic Instinct (album)
Basic Instinct is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Ciara, released from December 10, 2010 by LaFace Records . Executively produced by A&R agent Mark Pitts, Ciara, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Basic Instinct returnes Ciara to her urban roots with mid-tempo R&B cuts and...
.
Other artists such as SWV
SWV
Sisters with Voices, better known as SWV, is an American female R&B trio from New York. Formed in 1990 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here/Human Nature", "I'm So Into You", and "You're the One"....
(and group member Coko
Coko
Cheryl Elizabeth "Coko" Clemons is an American gospel and R&B singer, and lead singer of R&B group Sisters With Voices .-Musical career:...
), Ledisi
Ledisi
Ledisi Anibade Young is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major...
, Tamia
Tamia
Tamia Hill , and known professionally as Tamia, is a four-time Grammy-nominated Canadian R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, model, entrepreneur and philanthropist, as well as an occasional actress.She is best known for her 2000 hit "Stranger In My House" and Fabolous' 2003...
, Rachelle Ferrell
Rachelle Ferrell
Rachelle Ferrell is an American singer and musician. Although she has had some success in the mainstream R&B, pop, gospel, and classical music scene, she is most noted for her talents as a contemporary jazz singer.-Biography:...
, Ron Isley, Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
and Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
have covered the song in concert with the latter five singing the song in tribute to LaBelle as she was honored. Carey featured LaBelle's rendition of "Over the Rainbow" as part of her live tribute following a brief performance of "If Only You Knew".
Charts
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
46 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 1 |
Credits
- Lead vocals by Patti LaBelle
- Instrumentation by Sigma Sound Studio musicians
- Produced by Kenny Gamble, Dexter WanselDexter WanselDexter Gilman Wansel is an American keyboardist, raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He contributed to the development of the Philly Sound and worked with producers Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International Records. Wansel led the musical group, Yellow Sunshine...
and Cynthia Biggs - Arranged by John R. Faith