If I Ain't Got You
"If I Ain't Got You" | ||||
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Single by Alicia Keys | ||||
from the album The Diary of Alicia Keys | ||||
B-side | "You Don't Know My Name/Will You Ever Know It" (Reggae Mix) | |||
Released | February 23, 2004 | |||
Recorded | June 29, 2003 | |||
Studio | Kampo (New York City) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | J | |||
Songwriter(s) | Alicia Keys | |||
Producer(s) | Alicia Keys | |||
Alicia Keys singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
Alicia Keys – "If I Ain't Got You"
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Music video | ||||
"If I Ain't Got You" on YouTube |
"If I Ain't Got You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys from her second studio album The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Inspired by the 2001 death of singer Aaliyah, the terrorist September 11 attacks, and other events in the world and in Keys' life, the song is about "how material things don't feed the soul." The single cover depicts Keys similarly to the subject of Man Ray's 1924 painting Le Violon d'Ingres.[1]
Released on February 23, 2004, as the album's second single, "If I Ain't Got You" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Keys' second consecutive R&B chart-topper, remaining atop of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for six weeks. The song received two nominations at the 2005 Grammy Awards, for Song of the Year and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, winning the latter. Keys herself said that it is one of her favorite songs.[2]
A remix featuring Usher, a Kanye West Radio Mix, and a Spanish-language version featuring Arturo Sandoval appear on the bonus CD of select international pressings of The Diary of Alicia Keys. The song was covered by singer Jordan Feliz in 2016.
Background[]
Keys said that the idea of the song was inspired by Aaliyah's death: "The song idea came together right after Aaliyah passed away. It was such a sad time and no one wanted to believe it. It just made everything crystal clear to me—what matters, and what doesn't."[3]
In September 2020, Keys revealed that she almost offered the song to Christina Aguilera, as the singer wanted to work with Keys. She eventually wrote the song "Impossible" for Aguilera's album Stripped.[4]
Commercial performance[]
"If I Ain't Got You" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number sixty-four on the issue dated March 6, 2004,[5] peaking at number four, four months later, on July 3, 2004. It spent twenty non-consecutive weeks in the top ten, one of the longest stays of any song that year and outlasting many number one singles.[6] The song topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs on May 1, 2004 and spent six non-consecutive weeks atop the chart. It was also successful on Billboard component charts, reaching number five on the Rhythmic Top 40 and number nine on the Mainstream Top 40.[7] The single was ultimately placed at number three on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart of 2004.[8]
In the United Kingdom, "If I Ain't Got You" debuted and peaked at number eighteen on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending April 10, 2004.[9] In late September 2009, the single returned to the chart at number fifty-four.[10]
In September 2016, Keys appeared on The Voice as a coach, with a contestant singing the song, and it made a new entry into the R&B/Hip Hop singles charts, driving total sales up to 1.5 million units.[11] By August 2020, the song had reached 4× Platinum certification.[12]
Music video[]
The music video, directed by Diane Martel, is set in a wintry New York City and features a cameo by rapper and actor Method Man as Keys' on-screen boyfriend.[13] The original video disappeared from Vevo.
Awards[]
- Grammy Awards
- Billboard Music Awards
- R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year
- R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Single of the Year
- MTV Video Music Awards
- ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
- ASCAP Pop Awards
- Most Performed Song
- NAACP Image Awards
- Soul Train Music Awards
- Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
- Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year
- Vibe Awards
- Best R&B Song
Track listings and formats[]
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Personnel[]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Diary of Alicia Keys.[24]
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Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
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Year-end charts[]
Decade-end charts[]
All-time charts[]
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Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Italy (FIMI)[51] | Gold | 25,000![]() |
Japan (RIAJ)[52] | Gold | 100,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] | Platinum | 600,000![]() |
United States (RIAA)[54] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000![]() |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history[]
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | February 23, 2004 |
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J | [55] |
March 8, 2004 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [56] | ||
United Kingdom | March 29, 2004 | CD | [57] | |
United States | April 26, 2004 | Contemporary hit radio | [58] | |
August 9, 2004 | Adult contemporary radio | [59] |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Le Violon d'Ingres (Ingres's Violin)". J. Paul Getty Museum. J. Paul Getty Trust. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
- ^ "'The Voice' Coach Alicia Keys Reveals How Aaliyah's Death Inspired 'If I Ain't Got You': Exclusive Video". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Osei, Anthony (June 9, 2011). "Alicia Keys Says "If I Ain't Got You" Was Inspired By Aaliyah's Death". Complex. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ Gracie, Bianca (September 19, 2020). "We've Got A File On You: Alicia Keys". Stereogum. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "The Hot 100 : Mar 06, 2004". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ "The Hot 100 : Jul 03, 2004". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "The Diary of Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "2004 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. December 25, 2004. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ "2004 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive". Official Charts Company. April 10, 2004. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Alicia Keys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Hip Hop Single Sales: Lil Wayne, D.R.A.M. & The Weeknd". Hip Hop DX. October 2, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- ^ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Alicia+Keys&ti=If+I+Ain%27t+Got+You#search_section
- ^ Reid, Shaheem. "Alicia Keys Gets Method Man For 'If I Ain't Got You' Video". MTV News. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ If I Ain't Got You (European CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, MBK Entertainment, BMG. 2004. 82876 597902.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ "If I Ain't Got You". 15 June 2004 – via Amazon.
- ^ If I Ain't Got You (European CD single (Remix) liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, MBK Entertainment. 2004. 82876 655372.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ "If I Ain't Got You". 5 April 2004 – via Amazon.
- ^ If I Ain't Got You (US promotional CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2004. J1DJ-59351-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ If I Ain't Got You (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2004. 82876-59965-7.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ If I Ain't Got You (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2004. 82876-59351-1.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ If I Ain't Got You (US & EU 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2004. J1PV-59351-1.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ "If I Ain't Got You - EP by Alicia Keys". Apple Music.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – If I Ain't Got You (Black Eyed Peas Remix) – Single by Alicia Keys". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 2014-11-23.
- ^ The Diary of Alicia Keys (CD liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876 57017 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1561. June 25, 2004. p. 30. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alicia Keys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Nielsen Music Control". Archived from the original on October 22, 2007.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Gaon Digital Chart – 2012.02.19~2012.02.25". Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2004". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2004". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ "2004 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. December 25, 2004. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ "Decade End Charts – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Decade End Charts – R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 6, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "If I Ain't Got You" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Japanese single digital certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 11, 2021. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "British single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Recording Industry Association of America. August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1543. February 20, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1545. March 5, 2004. p. 27. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "If I Ain't Got You [CD 1]". Amazon. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1552. April 23, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1567. August 6, 2004. p. 23. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
External links[]
- 2000s ballads
- 2003 songs
- 2004 singles
- Alicia Keys songs
- Contemporary R&B ballads
- J Records singles
- Music videos directed by Diane Martel
- Songs written by Alicia Keys