If Only I Could

Last updated

"If Only I Could"
If only I could.jpg
Single by Sydney Youngblood
from the album Feeling Free
B-side "Spooky"
Released24 July 1989 (1989-07-24) [1]
Genre
Length3:30
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Claus Zundel
Sydney Youngblood singles chronology
"Congratulations"
(1988)		"If Only I Could"
(1989)		"Sit and Wait"
(1989)
Music video
"If Only I Could" on YouTube

"If Only I Could" is a song by American-German singer-songwriter Sydney Youngblood. The track was co-written by Youngblood with Markus Friedrich Staab, Ralf Hamm, and Claus Zundel. In the song, Youngblood evokes "the world of brotherhood and love that he would like to create 'if only [he] could'". This utopian humanism is "very uncommon in the songs devoted to nightclubs". [3] "If Only I Could" uses the bassline and drumbeat from the Raze house track "Break 4 Love".[ citation needed ]

Contents

"If Only I Could" was released on vinyl, audio cassette and compact disc in July 1989 as the lead single from Youngblood's debut album, Feeling Free (1989). It is one of his biggest hits, reaching number one in Belgium and the top three in many countries, including the United Kingdom, where it was the 13th-best-selling single of 1989.

Chart performance

"If Only I Could" peaked at number-one in Belgium and entered the top 10 in Austria, France, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and West Germany, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at number four. In the UK, the single reached number three on the UK Singles Chart on 1 October 1989. [4] It spent two weeks at that position and was the 13th best-selling single of 1989. The song was also a top-20 hit in Denmark and Finland. Outside Europe, "If Only I Could" reached number 28 in New Zealand and number 122 in Australia. It earned a gold record in Austria and West Germany and a silver record in the UK.

Critical reception

Retrospectively, AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis viewed the song as "pure, early-'90s house". [5] Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard noted that the "rich-voiced crooner temporarily moves away from usual R&B arena and pumps up the bass for this tasty, deep-baked houser that splashes with a nifty Motown-flavored undercurrent and funky wah-wah guitars. The right edit could set urban and pop radio ablaze." [6] A reviewer from Liverpool Echo named it "one of the nicest dance/pop records of recent months, bringing songs back into dance music. And – Sydney knows a good song when he hears one." [7] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Finally, Youngblood has found a song good enough to take his smooth, sweet voice to the higher reaches of the charts. The song combines a variety of styles – reggae meets hip-house with a dash of lover's rock. A sympathetic production by Claus Zundell and some supremely tasteful Spanish guitar breaks make this record a melodic delight. Starting to move rapidly up the UK chart and looking likely to repeat that success across Europe." [8] David Giles from Music Week noted the song's "lush, sonorous vocal driven by a pulsating bass line", and concluded that "Youngblood looks set to become a big name on the strength of this single." [9] Jacqui Carter from Number One stated, "'If Only I Could' will be one of the 'classic cuts' this year and continually played for many years to come." [10] Orla Swift from Record-Journal described the song as "jazzy". [11] Phil Cheeseman of Record Mirror wrote that single was "nice", adding that "you'll need the 12 inch to really appreciate this". [12] In the same magazine, the extended version reviewed by James Hamilton is called a "jauntily chugging 120 bpm bubbly bouncer helped in the current climate by tinkling flamenco-ish guitar and chimes (two instrumental mixes too)". [13]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single. It features Youngblood bouncing around a ball that resembled the earth, while donning urban clothing and traditional African clothing.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "If Only I Could"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria) [35] Gold25,000*
Germany (BVMI) [36] Gold250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [37] Silver200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Wendy Matthews version

"If Only I Could"
If Only I Could by Wendy Matthews.png
Single by Wendy Matthews
from the album Lily
ReleasedApril 1993
Length3:55
Label RooART
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) T-Bone Burnett
Wendy Matthews singles chronology
"Friday's Child"
(1993)		"If Only I Could"
(1993)		"T.K.O."
(1993)

Australian recording artist Wendy Matthews released a version of the song in April 1993 as the third single from her second studio album, Lily . The song peaked at number 41 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.

Track listing

  1. "If Only I Could" (edit) – 3:55
  2. "If Only I Could" (Timebomb mix) – 5:45
  3. "Until You Say" – 4:48

Charts

Chart (1993)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [38] 41

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eternal Flame (song)</span> 1989 song by the Bangles

"Eternal Flame" is a song by American pop rock group the Bangles for their third studio album, Everything (1988). Released on January 23, 1989, the power ballad was written by group member Susanna Hoffs with the established hit songwriting team of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Upon its 1989 single release, "Eternal Flame" became a number-one hit in nine countries, including Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Since its release, it has been covered by many musical artists, including Australian boy band Human Nature, who reached the Australian top 10 with their version, and British girl group Atomic Kitten, who topped four national charts with their rendition.

The European Hot 100 Singles was compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine from March 1984 until December 2010. The chart was based on national singles sales charts in 17 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Should Be So Lucky</span> 1987 single by Kylie Minogue

"I Should Be So Lucky" is a 1987 song performed by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue from her debut studio album, Kylie (1988). Released on 29 December 1987 by Mushroom Records and PWL Records, the song became a worldwide breakthrough hit. The image of Minogue on the front cover of the single was shot by David Levine. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman for Minogue, whom went on to produce Minogue's initial four studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Especially for You</span> 1988 single by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan

"Especially for You" is a song performed by Australian recording artists Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan from Donovan's debut album, Ten Good Reasons (1989). The song was released as his album's second single on 28 November 1988 and was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast Child</span> 1989 single by Simple Minds

"Belfast Child" is a song by the Scottish band Simple Minds, first released as the lead track on the Ballad of the Streets EP on 6 February 1989. The EP also included "Mandela Day". The record reached number one on the UK Singles Chart as well as in Ireland and the Netherlands, and it became a top-ten hit in Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and West Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Words (Bee Gees song)</span> 1968 song by the Bee Gees

"Words" is a song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The song reached No. 1 in Germany, Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girl I'm Gonna Miss You</span> 1989 single by Milli Vanilli

"Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" is a song by German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. It was released in July 1989 as the fourth single from their debut album, All or Nothing (1988), as well as its American counterpart, Girl You Know It's True (1989). The single was a success, hitting the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song also reached number one in Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and Switzerland, number two in Ireland, the United Kingdom and West Germany, and number three in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want a Lover</span> 1989 single by Texas

"I Don't Want a Lover" is the debut single of Scottish band Texas, taken from their first album, Southside (1989). The music starts with blues slide guitar followed by a throbbing rhythm section before the vocals break in. It was released in January 1989 and peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 77 on the American Billboard Hot 100 in September 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pump Up the Jam</span> 1989 single by Technotronic

"Pump Up the Jam" is the opening track on Belgian act Technotronic's first album, Pump Up the Jam: The Album (1989). It was released as a single on 18 August 1989 by Swanyard and SBK Records, and was a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the United Kingdom in late 1989 and on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1990. It also peaked at number-one in Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. "Pump Up the Jam" has been described as a fusion of hip hop and deep house elements, as an early example of the hip house genre, and it has been considered the first house song to become a hit in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sealed with a Kiss</span> Song by Peter Udell and Gary Geld

"Sealed with a Kiss" is a song written and composed by Peter Udell and Gary Geld. The original recording of "Sealed with a Kiss" was by the Four Voices which was released as a single in May 1960 without becoming a hit. It first became a hit in 1962 for Brian Hyland. Jason Donovan later had an international number one hit with the song in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride on Time</span> 1989 single by Black Box

"Ride on Time" is a song by the Italian house music group Black Box. It was released as a single in July 1989 and included on Black Box's debut album, Dreamland (1990).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Youngblood</span> American-German singer

Sydney Ford, better known as Sydney Youngblood, is an American-German singer, actor and composer, who had several successful dance hits during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time</span> 1999 single by R. Kelly

"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" is a song by American singer R. Kelly, released as the fifth single from his third album, R. (1998). The song is a ballad about a man wishing he could go back in time and repair his relationship with his girlfriend. The song peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a top-10 hit across Europe, peaking at number one in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold Me in Your Arms (Rick Astley song)</span> 1989 single by Rick Astley

"Hold Me in Your Arms" is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Rick Astley. Released in early 1989 as the third single from his album Hold Me in Your Arms, it became a top ten hit in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 2019, Astley recorded and released a "reimagined" version of the song for his album The Best of Me, which features a new piano arrangement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(I Wanna Give You) Devotion</span> 1990 single by Nomad featuring MC Mikee Freedom

"(I Wanna Give You) Devotion" is a song by English electronic group Nomad, released in 1990 (UK/Europe) and 1991 (US) by Rumour/EMI and Capitol. It was the second single from their only album, Changing Cabins, released later in 1991. It was written by the producer, Damon Rochefort, with Steve Mac and MC Mikee Freedom. The song was a number-one hit in Greece and a top 5 hit in the UK, where it reached number two. In the US, it peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in June 1991 and stayed there for one week. Its music video was directed by Jerome Redfarn. MTV Dance ranked the song number 32 in their list of "The 100 Biggest 90s Dance Anthems of All Time" in November 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sit and Wait</span> 1989 single by Sydney Youngblood

"Sit and Wait" is a song recorded by American-German singer Sydney Youngblood. It was co-written by him and produced by Claus Zundel. The song was released in 1989 as the second single from his debut album, Feeling Free (1989), and was released in late 1989 and early 1990 in European countries. Like his previous single "If Only I Could", it had success on the charts, reaching the top 10 in Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and West Germany. A music video was also produced to promote the single. It features the singer dressed as a military, performing and dancing with dancers at a cafe.

"Who's Leaving Who" is a song written by Jack White and Mark Spiro, first recorded by Canadian country singer Anne Murray in 1986. It achieved bigger popularity in Europe when it was covered by British Hi-NRG singer Hazell Dean in 1988. David Hasselhoff covered the song on his 1991 album David, produced by Jack White.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wouldn't Change a Thing (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1989 single by Kylie Minogue

"Wouldn't Change a Thing" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, recorded for her second studio album Enjoy Yourself (1989). The song was written by Stock Aitken Waterman, and was released on 24 July 1989 by Mushroom and PWL Records. The song was released as the second single off the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bow Down Mister</span> 1991 single by Jesus Loves You

"Bow Down Mister" is a song written by English singer Boy George, under the pseudonym "Angela Dust", and recorded by his first musical group following his departure from Culture Club, Jesus Loves You. Inspired by a trip George took to India, the song is a tribute to the Hare Krishna movement and incorporates the Hare Krishna mantra. Indian singer Asha Bhosle performs the female vocals on the song but is uncredited on the single release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youngblood (5 Seconds of Summer song)</span> 2018 single by 5 Seconds of Summer

"Youngblood" is a song recorded by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. It was written by Calum Hood, Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Ashton Irwin and Luke Hemmings with production handled by Andrew Watt and Louis Bell. The song was released via Capitol Records on 12 April 2018, as the second single from their third studio album of the same name.

References

  1. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week . 22 July 1989. p. 32.
  2. ↑ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "Smiley Culture: Acid House and Madchester". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 633. ISBN   978-0-571-28198-5.
  3. ↑ Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 178 ( ISBN   2-9518832-0-X)
  4. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  5. ↑ Promis, Jose F. "Sydney Youngblood – Sydney Youngblood". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  6. ↑ Flick, Larry (8 December 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 83. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood: Feeling Free". Liverpool Echo . 28 October 1989. page 7.
  8. ↑ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 23 September 1989. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  9. ↑ Giles, David (5 August 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 23. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Carter, Jacqui (11 October 1989). "Albums". Number One . p. 43. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Swift, Orla (21 October 1990). "Wendy & Lisa doing better than ever without Prince". Record-Journal . Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  12. ↑ Cheeseman, Phil (5 August 1989). "45 reviewed by Phil Cheeseman" (PDF). Record Mirror . London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 28. ISSN   0144-5804 . Retrieved 25 October 2021– via World Radio History.
  13. ↑ Hamilton, James (26 August 1989). "DJ directory compiled by James Hamilton – All that's upfront on the nation's hottest dancefloors" (PDF). Record Mirror . London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 47. ISSN   0144-5804 . Retrieved 25 October 2021– via World Radio History.
  14. ↑ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received July 15, 2015". Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016– via Imgur. N.B. The #71 peak listed for the 1990 release of "If Only I Could" is for a triple A-side 12" release of the "I'd Rather Go Blind" single.
  15. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  16. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Danish Singles Chart. 24 November 1989.
  18. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 42. 21 October 1989. p. IV.
  19. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Sydney Youngblood". Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 287. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  20. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  21. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If Only I Could". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  23. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  24. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  25. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  26. ↑ "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  27. ↑ "Top Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 7 October 1989. p. 51. Retrieved 30 August 2023– via World Radio History.
  28. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  29. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1989". Ultratop. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  30. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 17 January 2020– via American Radio History.
  31. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  32. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  33. ↑ Copsey, Rob (7 May 2021). "Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1989". Official Charts . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  35. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  36. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sydney Youngblood; 'If Only I Could')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  37. ↑ "British single certifications – Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  38. ↑ "Wendy Matthew – If Only I Could". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.