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If I Never See Your Face Again

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"If I Never See Your Face Again"
Song

"If I Never See Your Face Again" is a song by American pop rock band Maroon 5 from the June 2008 re-release of the group's second studio album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007). It was also included on the June 2008 re-release of Rihanna's album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). The song was originally included on the standard version of the album without the inclusion of Rihanna. It was written by band members Adam Levine and James Valentine, with production of the song helmed by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Mike Elizondo, Mark Endert, Mark "Spike" Stent and Maroon 5. It was released as an Extended Play (EP) in Australia on May 22, 2007, and as an official single on May 2, 2008, in the United States.

"If I Never See Your Face Again" was originally intended to be a duet with Janet Jackson and appear on her Discipline album, although label problems interfered.[1] The collaboration with Rihanna later came to fruition when Levine asked her to add her vocal to the remix version, which she accepted. "If I Never See Your Face Again" is a pop and R&B song featuring instrumentation provided by synthesizers and a guitar. The song received a mixed response from music critics, who praised the song's composition but criticized Levine and Rihanna's vocal performance. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Anthony Mandler and shot on an indoor soundstage in Castaic, California. The concept for the video was "high-end erotica".

Background

"If I Never See Your Face Again" was written by Adam Levine and James Valentine, two of the five band members from Maroon 5.[2] Production of the song was helmed by Mike Elizondo, Mike Endert, Mike "Spike" Stent, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Maroon 5.[2] It was recorded by "Spike" Stent at Conway Studios, Hollywood, CA; Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA and Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA.[2] The song was originally intended to be a duet with Janet Jackson and appear on her Discipline album, but due to label problems Rihanna later appeared on the song.[1]

The song was included on the standard version of It Won't Be Soon Before Long without the inclusion of Rihanna, however, Levine stated in an interview with James Montgomery for MTV News whilst on set of the accompanying music video that he wanted to try something different for the album's re-release.[3] The singer continued, saying that he asked Rihanna to do some "bits and pieces" in the recording studio and that it came together very quickly.[3] Levine stated that if there is "magic" between two artists, then "you don't even have to think about it."[3] During the interview, Rihanna confirmed that the song would be the only one to feature a collaboration on her re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad, revealing that she had always wanted to work with the group and was honored when they contacted her.[3] "If I Never See Your Face Again" was released as a single in the United States on May 2, 2008.[4]

Composition

"If I Never See Your Face Again" is a pop[5] and R&B song,[6] which lasts for 3:18 (3 minutes, 18 seconds).[4] The song was composed using common time in the key of A minor, with a moderate groove of 106 beats per minute.[7] Instrumentation is provided by synths,[8] and a guitar.[9] A reviewer for IGN noted that "If I Never See Your Face Again" is complete with "slinky synth insinuations,"[8] whilst Jerome Blakeney for BBC wrote that it is a "guitar drenched" and "synth-crunching" song.[9] Alex Fletcher for Digital Spy commented that the song incorporated a "jagged" use of synthesizers.[10] For the most part of the song, Levine sings in his falsetto register,[8][10] whilst Rihanna adopts "silky tone".[10]

Critical reception

Upon the release of It Won't Be Soon Before Long, music critics commented on the original version of the song, which does not include guest vocals by Rihanna. Jerome Blakeney for BBC wrote that "If I Never See Your Face Again", along with another It Won't Be Soon Before Long track "Makes Me Wonder", were "monster weapons of mass-marketing aimed at the feet and riding on swathes of string-drenched, synth-crunching disco."[9] A reviewer for IGN was complimentary of 'If I Never See Your Face Again', writing that it is hard to resist listening to the song.[8] The reviewer also noted that Levine appeared to adopt a vocal style reminiscent of techniques employed by Justin Timberlake, writing "Like Justin Timberlake it's all about the high pitched tenor falsetto and some sinewy grooves."[8]

Bill Lamb for About.com noted that "If I Never See Your Face Again" and "Makes Me Wonder" appeared to be inspired by British jazz funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai, writing "Any Jamiroquai fan may call foul if they listen to 'If I Never See Your Face Again' or 'Makes Me Wonder'."[11] Sal Cinquemani was critical of the song, labeling it as "nasty."[12] Alex Fletcher for Digital Spy disapproved of the collaboration between the band and Rihanna, with specific thoughts on Levine and Rihanna's pairing.[10] Fletcher was critical of their vocal performance, writing that their voices clashed with one another and that "the sexual chemistry radar for the pairing registers at zero."[10] Fletcher commented about the song further, writing that it should never have left the recording studio.[10]

Accolades

Year Ceremony Award Result
2009 Grammy Awards Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Nominated[13]

Chart performance

"If I Never See Your Face Again" achieved moderate chart success on singles charts around the world. It debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 28 June 1, 2008, and peaked at number 11 in its sixth week.[14] The song debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 37 on June 9, 2008, and peaked at number 21 the following week.[15] In Europe, the song debuted and peaked at number 15 on the Italian Singles Chart on July 17, 2008.[16] The song remained on the chart for one week.[16] It debuted on the Dutch Singles Chart at number 35 on June 14, 2008, and peaked at number 20 the following week.[17] The song fluctuated between positions in the twenties and seventies for 13 weeks.[17] It debuted on the Danish Singles Chart at number 36 on July 27, 2008, and peaked at number 31 in its sixth week.[18]

"If I Never See Your Face Again" debuted on the Swiss Singles Chart at number 61 on June 29, 2008, and peaked at number 52 the following week, where it remained in its third week.[19] It debuted on the Austrian Singles Chart at number 67 on September 5, 2008, and peaked at number 54 the following week.[20] "If I Never See Your Face Again" debuted and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 28 on June 14, 2008.[21] Over the following two weeks, the song descend down the top-forty, before falling out in its third week. The song made a re-entry on the chart at number 36 on July 7, 2008.[22] In the United States, the song peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on July 26, 2008.[23] It peaked at number 10 on the Adult Pop Songs chart; number 30 on the Pop Songs chart and 21 on the Hot Digital Songs chart.[23]

Music video

Adam Levine and Rihanna in the music video, where they try to not succumb to each other's temptations.

The song's accompanying music video was directed by Anthony Mandler,[24] and shot on an indoor soundstage in Castaic, California on April 23, 2008.[24] The concept for the video was "high-end erotica".[24] In an interview with James Montgomery for MTV News whilst on set of the music video, Levine provided a summary of what the video would entail, saying: "It's this kind of ultra-glamorous, photography-based, late-'70s/ early-'80s situation. It's really stylish and really beautiful ... It's the most choreographed thing I've ever done, because usually I just get up there and screw around. But with Rihanna, it's completely different and so cool." In response, Rihanna continued to say that "I don't do a lot of videos where I have so much chemistry with the other artist, and this is only my second duet in a video ... It's really intense, because you have to work with each other so much. It's new for me, but I'm enjoying it."[24]

Synopsis

The video begins with the sound of a ticking clock and Levine and Rihanna sitting opposite each other at a table, tapping their hands and staring at one and other. As the songs audio begins to play, band members of Maroon 5 start to play their instruments as Rihanna sits and watches them. The table and band scenes are intercut with each other for the first verse and chorus. For the second verse, Levine and Rihanna appear to argue and try to ignore the other's advances. Rihanna lays suggestively on a bed while Levine sits on a chair with his head turned in the opposite direction for the bridge. For the final chorus, the pair appear to reconcile, ending with Levine finally giving in to his temptations and walk to the end of the table where Rihanna sits and he caresses her neck causing Rihanna to lean towards him seductively and the two nearly kiss as the video ends. The video was made available to download digitally via iTunes on May 12, 2008.[25]

Formats and track listings

Credits and personnel

Recording
  • Recorded at Conway Studios, Hollywood, CA; Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA; Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA; House of Blues Studios, Encino, CA and Henson Studios, Hollywood, CA.
  • Mixed at Scream Studios, Miami, FL.
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, Def Jam Recordings.[2]

Charts

Charts (2008) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[28] 11
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[29] 54
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[30] 18
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 12
Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 31
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[33] 59
Ireland (IRMA)[34] 16
Italy (FIMI)[16] 15
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[35] 97
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] 52
UK Singles (OCC)[39] 28
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 51
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] 10
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[42] 30

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[43] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[44] Gold 40,000*
United States (RIAA)[46] 1,109,000[45]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Template:Wikipedia books

Country Date Format Label
United States[4] May 2, 2008 Digital download A&M/Octone Records
United States[47] May 15, 2008 Mainstream radio
Australia[27] May 22, 2008 Digital EP
France[48] July 15, 2008 CD Single
Germany[49] August 22, 2008

References

  1. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (October 12, 2007). "Janet Jackson Has Teamed With Maroon 5 But Duet With Mariah Carey Hasn't Happened Yet, Jermaine Dupri Says". MTV. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (inlay cover). Rihanna. Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records. 2008. B0017QKHH2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ a b c d Montgomery, James (2008-04-24). "Rihanna, Maroon 5 Team Up For 'Magic' Collaboration, Complete With Ultra-Glam Video". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  4. ^ a b c d e "iTunes - Music - If I Never See Your Face Again (feat. Rihanna)". iTunes Store (US). Apple. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  5. ^ Williams, Gary. "Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long Album Review". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  6. ^ Drumming, Neil (2007-05-18). "Music Review - If I Never See Your Face Again". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  7. ^ "Digital Sheet Music, 'If I Never See Your Face Again'". Musicnotes.com. 2008. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e "Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long". IGN. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  9. ^ a b c Blakeney, Jerome (2007-05-18). "Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long - Review". BBC. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Flethcher, Alex (2008-06-08). "Maroon 5 & Rihanna: If I Never See Your Face Again". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  11. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long". About.com. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  12. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (2007-05-19). "Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  13. ^ "Grammy 2009 Winners List". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  14. ^ "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  15. ^ "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  16. ^ a b c "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)". italiancharts.com. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  17. ^ a b "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  18. ^ "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)". danishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  19. ^ "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)" (in German). hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  20. ^ "Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (Song)". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  21. ^ "2006 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive 28th June 2008". The Official Charts Company. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  22. ^ "2006 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive 14th June 2008". The Official Charts Company. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  23. ^ a b "If I Never See Your face Again - Maroon 5 - Chart History". Billboard. 2008-06-28. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  24. ^ a b c d Lynskey, Dorian (2008-05-03). "Sweetness and steel". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  25. ^ "iTunes - Music Videos - If I Never See Your Face Again (feat. Rihanna)". iTunes Store (US). Apple. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  26. ^ "iTunes - Music - It Won't Be Soon Before Long". iTunes Store (US). Apple. 2007-05-22. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  27. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - If I Never See Your Face Again". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. 2007-05-22. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  28. ^ "Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  29. ^ "Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  30. ^ "Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  31. ^ "Maroon 5 Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  32. ^ "Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again". Tracklisten.
  33. ^ "Maroon 5 – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Maroon 5. [dead link]
  34. ^ "Chart Track: Week 25, 2008". Irish Singles Chart.
  35. ^ "Maroon 5 Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  36. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  37. ^ "Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again". Top 40 Singles.
  38. ^ "Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again". Swiss Singles Chart.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  40. ^ "Maroon 5 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  41. ^ "Maroon 5 Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  42. ^ "Maroon 5 Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  43. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  44. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Maroon 5 – If I Never See Your Face Again". Music Canada.
  45. ^ Trust, Gary (June 15, 2014). "Ask Billboard: MAGIC!'s 'Rude' Revives Reggae". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  46. ^ "American single certifications – Maroon 5 – If I Never See yuor Face Again". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  47. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!". fmqb.com.
  48. ^ http://www.amazon.fr/If-Never-Your-Face-Again/dp/B001ADU8S0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373252443&sr=8-2&keywords=maroon+5+if+i+never
  49. ^ http://www.amazon.de/Never-See-Your-Face-Again/dp/B001AZIHZY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1373252365&sr=8-8&keywords=maroon+5+if+i+never

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