If You Leave Me Now
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| "If You Leave Me Now" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Chicago | ||||
| from the album Chicago X | ||||
| B-side | "Together Again" | |||
| Released | July 1976 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded | 1976 | |||
| Genre | Pop, soft rock | |||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | Columbia Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Peter Cetera | |||
| Producer | James William Guercio | |||
| Certification | Platinum | |||
| Chicago singles chronology | ||||
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"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976.
It is also the title of a compilation album released by Columbia Records (Columbia 38590) in 1983.
The single topped the US charts on October 23, 1976, and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit for the group. It also reached the number one spot in the UK, maintaining the position for three weeks. It was popular in multiple radio formats, and at one point during its peak listeners could hear it being played simultaneously on four different New York City radio stations.
"If You Leave Me Now" was also Chicago's biggest hit worldwide, after topping the charts in other countries such as Britain and Australia. It went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
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[edit] Cover versions
There have been over 100 versions of "If You Leave Me Now" recorded by artists throughout the world, among them:
- Brotherhood of Man on their 1980 album Sing 20 Number One Hits
- Elkie Brooks, released a version of the song on her album Pearls in 1981.
- Peter Cetera re-recorded the song as a solo artist for his 1997 album You're the Inspiration: A Collection.
- Khalil Fong, a R&B singer based in Hong Kong, recorded a version on his second Mandarin album, This Love.
- Isley Brothers on their 2001 album Eternal.
- Danish popstar Christine Milton recorded an uptempo version for her debut album Friday in 2003.
- Philippine bossa nova singer Sitti recorded a cover of this song for her second album My Bossa Nova.
- John Barrowman on his 2007 album Another Side.
- Suzy Bogguss on her 2007 album Sweet Danger.
- Hawai'ian group Ten Feet on their album Island Feeling.
[edit] Live cover performances
- Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire sang the song during their joint concerts with Chicago in 2004-2006. This version was included in the Love Songs album by Chicago.
[edit] Sampling
- A sample of the song is used by British electronica duo Lemon Jelly on the 'Nice Weather For Ducks' B-side 'Soft' (2003).
[edit] Appearances in other media
- A few lines of the song are performed by the penguins in the animated film "Happy Feet" (2006).
- This song appears briefly in the movie Shaun of the Dead.
- The song is a favorite of the South Park character Butters. He is often shown singing bars of the song in various episodes.
- This song appears in the Sex and the City episode, "Boy, Interrupted", when Carrie and Stanford dance at the Prom.
- This song appears in the movie, "A Lot Like Love", in the scene where Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher are driving in the car. It also appears on the soundtrack.
| Preceded by "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single October 23, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Rock'n Me" by Steve Miller Band |
| Preceded by "Mississippi" by Pussycat |
UK number one single November 13, 1976 (3 weeks) |
Succeeded by "Under the Moon of Love" by Showaddywaddy |
