If You Really Cared

Last updated
"If You Really Cared"
Gabrielle - If You Really Cared (CD 2).jpg
Single by Gabrielle
from the album Gabrielle
Released23 September 1996
Length4:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Gabrielle
  • Benjamin Barson
  • Ben Wolff
  • Andrew Dean
Producer(s) The Boilerhouse Boys
Gabrielle singles chronology
"Forget About the World"
(1996)
"If You Really Cared"
(1996)
"If You Ever"
(1996)
Music video
"If You Really Cared" on YouTube

"If You Really Cared" is the third single from English singer-songwriter Gabrielle's second album, Gabrielle (1996). It was written by Gabrielle, Ben Barson of the Boilerhouse Boys, Ben Wolff and Andrew Dean. "If You Really Cared" was released in September 1996 by Go Beat and Universal, and returned Gabrielle to the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 15.

Contents

Critical reception

Caitlin Moran from Melody Maker praised the song as "an inner-London C&W smooch that builds and builds into a deliciously sparse crescendo." [1] Another Melody Maker editor, Simon Price, named it one of the Singles of the Week, writing, "'If You Really Cared' is another gorgeous period piece (shades of Lorraine Ellison's "Stay with Me" this time). I've had it on Repeat eight times in a row and I'm not bored yet. I want her to marry me." [2] A reviewer from Music Week gave it three out of five, adding, "Gabrielle shows her class with this timeless ballad which captures a vintage soulful sound, but remains distinctly modern." [3]

Track listings

UK CD:1 (GODCD 153) [4]
No.TitleLength
1."If You Really Cared" (radio edit)3:52
2."Baby I've Changed" (Ole' Ruffneck sound)4:53
3."Baby I've Changed" (Carl McIntosh)5:48
4."Baby I've Changed" (D*Note remix)5:48
UK CD:2 (GOLCD 153) [5]
No.TitleLength
1."If You Really Cared" (radio edit)3:52
2."Give Me A Little More Time" (Def mix)7:54
3."Give Me A Little More Time"4:57
4."Dreams" (original and unreleased version)6:21
UK cassette single (GODMCD 153) [6]
No.TitleLength
1."If You Really Cared" (radio edit)3:52
2."Baby I've Changed" (Ole' Ruffneck sound)4:53

Charts

Chart (1996)Peak
position
Scotland (OCC) [7] 20
UK Singles (OCC) [8] 15
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [9] 3

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crush with Eyeliner</span> 1995 single by R.E.M.

"Crush with Eyeliner" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., released by Warner Bros. Records as the third single from their ninth studio album, Monster (1994). Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore provides background vocals. Michael Stipe claims the song was inspired by the band New York Dolls, who, in his opinion, "knew how to exaggerate a song, to make it sound really sleazy and over the top." This was also one of the first songs that surfaced from Stipe after the writer's block that hounded him after the death of his friend, actor River Phoenix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive (R.E.M. song)</span> Song by R.E.M.

"Drive" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. It is the first track on and the lead single from their eighth studio album, Automatic for the People (1992), and was the first song lead singer Michael Stipe wrote on a computer. "Drive" peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number two on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Internationally, "Drive" became R.E.M.'s then-second-biggest hit on the UK Singles Charts, peaking at number 11, and their biggest hit in Norway until "Supernatural Superserious" in 2008, reaching number three. Elsewhere, the song reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rise (Gabrielle song)</span> 2000 single by Gabrielle

"Rise" is a song by English singer Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle, Ollie Dagois and Ferdy Unger-Hamilton and produced by Jonny Dollar for her same-titled third studio album (1999). Notable for a rare authorised use of a Bob Dylan sample, it takes extensively from his 1973 song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". Dylan liked "Rise" so much he allowed Gabrielle to use the sample free, while receiving a co-writer credit for providing the song's chord progression and vocal sample.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (Gabrielle song)</span> 1993 single by Gabrielle

"Dreams" is a song by British singer and songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie for her debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993). Released by Go! Beat and London Records as Gabrielle's debut single, "Dreams" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two, which was the highest chart entry a debut act had obtained in the United Kingdom at that time before reaching number one for three weeks in June 1993. In the United States, the song peaked at numbers 26 and 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, becoming Gabrielle's highest-charting song there. The song's music video was directed by Kate Garner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When a Woman</span> 2000 single by Gabrielle

"When a Woman" is a song by English recording artist Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle along with Richard Stannard and Julian Gallagher and released as the third single from her third album, Rise (1999), on 5 June 2000. The song reached number six on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the second-highest-charting single from the album as well as Gabrielle's eighth top-10 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of Reach (song)</span> 2001 single by Gabrielle

"Out of Reach" is a song by English singer Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and frequent collaborator Jonathan Shorten for the soundtrack of Sharon Maguire's 2001 romantic comedy film Bridget Jones's Diary. The London Session Orchestra provides the string section on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Should I Stay</span> 2000 single by Gabrielle

"Should I Stay" is a song by British singer Gabrielle. It was released as a single in October 2000 and was the fourth and final single released from her third studio album, Rise (1999). The song charted at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. The video for the single depicts a moody atmosphere rather than having a linear storyline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Ever Fall in Love</span> 1992 single by Shai

"If I Ever Fall in Love" is the debut single by American R&B-soul quartet Shai, released by Gasoline Alley and MCA in September 1992 from their debut album of the same name (1992). The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1992 and peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B chart. It spent eight weeks at number two on the Hot 100, which at the time was the second-most number of weeks that a song held the position without topping the chart, behind Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You". The song was also their only top-40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 36.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine (Gabrielle song)</span> 1999 single by Gabrielle

"Sunshine" is a song by English singer Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Jonathan Shorten for her third album, Rise (1999). Released as the album's lead single, the song became her sixth top-10 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number nine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Need the Sun to Shine (To Make Me Smile)</span> 2001 single by Gabrielle

"Don't Need the Sun to Shine (to Make Me Smile)" is a song by English singer Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Jonathan Shorten for her greatest hits compilation Dreams Can Come True, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (2001), spanning her first three albums. Produced by Shorten, the song served as the album's lead single and peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her tenth top-ten hit in the United Kingdom. Outside the UK, it reached the top 20 in Denmark, New Zealand, and Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Going Nowhere</span> 1993 single by Gabrielle

"Going Nowhere" is a song by English singer-songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by her with George McFarlane and produced by Pete Cragie for Gabrielle's debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993). Released as the album's second single on 20 September 1993 by Go! Beat, the song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 in Ireland. It also peaked at number three on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wish (Gabrielle song)</span> 1993 single by Gabrielle

"I Wish" is a song by English singer-songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Jon Douglas for her debut album, Find Your Way (1993), while production was helmed by Douglas. Released as the album's third single on 29 November 1993 by Go! Beat, the song peaked at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. In North America, "I Wish" reached number 52 in the United States and number 76 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Because of You (Gabrielle song)</span> 1994 single by Gabrielle

"Because of You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle, George McFarlane, and Raymond St. John and produced by McFarlane for her debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993). Released as the album's fourth single on 14 February 1994, "Because of You" peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me a Little More Time</span> 1996 single by Gabrielle

"Give Me a Little More Time" is a song by English singer and songwriter Gabrielle, recorded for her second studio album, Gabrielle (1996). Written by Gabrielle and Ben Barson with the Boilerhouse Boys, Ben Wolff, and Andrew Dean, it served as the album's lead single, released in February 1996 by Go! Beat. "Give Me a Little More Time" returned Gabrielle to the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number five and spending 10 weeks inside the top 20. The song also peaked at number nine on the Irish Singles Chart and reached the top 40 in Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. It was accompanied by a black-and-white music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forget About the World</span> 1996 single by Gabrielle

"Forget About the World" is a song by English singer-songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle along with Ben Barson, Andy Dean, and Ben Wolff for her self-titled second album (1996). "Forget About the World" did not perform as well as its predecessor "Give Me a Little More Time", peaking at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart. It was the lowest-charting single from Gabrielle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caught a Lite Sneeze</span> 1996 single by Tori Amos

"Caught a Lite Sneeze" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released by Atlantic and EastWest as the first single from her third studio album, Boys for Pele (1996), on January 1, 1996. The song is about wanting to do anything to keep a relationship going, knowing that it is over. It references Nine Inch Nails's album Pretty Hate Machine in the lyrics "Caught a lite sneeze / Dreamed a little dream / Made my own pretty hate machine." On December 11, 1995, Atlantic made the song available for streaming on their website, one of the earliest examples of a major label implementing such a feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protection (Massive Attack song)</span> 1995 single by Massive Attack

"Protection" is a collaboration between English trip hop collective Massive Attack and Tracey Thorn from English duo Everything but the Girl. The song appears on Massive Attack's second studio album, Protection (1994). Released as a single on 9 January 1995 by Wild Bunch and Circa, "Protection" reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, staying on the chart for four weeks, and also peaked at number 27 in New Zealand. Michel Gondry directed the accompanying music video. The song was also included on Everything but the Girl's compilation The Best of and Like the Deserts Miss the Rain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Before (song)</span> 1996 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Before" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 22 April 1996 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Bilingual (1996). Upon its release, the single peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, number four in Finland, and number one in Hungary. In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Care (Shakespears Sister song)</span> 1992 single by Shakespears Sister

"I Don't Care" is a song by British-based female duo Shakespears Sister, released on 4 May 1992 as the third single from their second studio album, Hormonally Yours (1992). The song reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and had similar success internationally, reaching the top 20 in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. It also charted on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 55. Like several of Shakespears Sister's previous singles, it was heavily remixed for its release as a single, including re-recorded vocals and added instrumentals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of the Sinking</span> 1994 single by Paul Weller

"Out of the Sinking" is a song by British singer-songwriter Paul Weller, released in 1994 by Go! Discs as the first single from his third solo album, Stanley Road (1995). Weller wrote the song and produced it with Brendan Lynch. The B-side to the single is a cover of the Beatles' "Sexy Sadie".

References

  1. Moran, Caitlin (29 June 1996). "Albums". Melody Maker . p. 50. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  2. Price, Simon (21 September 1996). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 54. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 7 September 1996. p. 8. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. If You Really Cared (UK CD1 liner notes). Gabrielle. Go! Beat. 1996. GODCD 153, 850 709-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. If You Really Cared (UK CD2 liner notes). Gabrielle. Go! Beat. 1996. GOLCD 153, 850 711-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. If You Really Cared (UK cassette single sleeve). Gabrielle. Go! Beat. 1996. GODMCD 153, 850 708-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  9. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 July 2021.