If You Leave Me Now
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For the Chicago compilation album, see If You Leave Me Now (album).
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2008) |
| "If You Leave Me Now" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Chicago | ||||
| from the album Chicago X | ||||
| B-side | "Together Again" | |||
| Released | July 1976[1] | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded | March–April 1976[1] | |||
| Genre | Soft rock | |||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| 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 as well as hitting number one on the Easy Listening charts.[2] It also reached number one in the UK on November 13, 1976, maintaining the position for three weeks.[3]
"If You Leave Me Now" was also Chicago's biggest hit worldwide, topping the charts in other countries such as Australia. It won Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. In addition, by August 1978 it had sold 1.4 million copies in the United States alone.[4]
The song had been featured in some several television series and movies such as in 2005 romantic film A Lot like Love starring Ashton Kutcher & Amanda Peet and it also included on the film's soundtrack.
Contents |
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[5] | 2 |
| Canadian Singles Chart[6] | 1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart[7] | 1 |
| German Singles Chart[8] | 3 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart[9] | 2 |
| UK Singles Chart[3] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[2] | 1 |
| US Adult Contemporary[2] | 1 |
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart[10] | 3 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart[11] | 4 |
| Swedish Singles Chart[12] | 2 |
| Swiss Singles Chart[13] | 3 |
| Preceded by "Disco Duck (part one)" by Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single October 23-November 5, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Rock 'N Me" by Steve Miller Band |
| Preceded by "Mississippi" by Pussycat |
UK singles chart number-one single November 13-December 12, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Under the Moon of Love" by Showaddywaddy |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[14] | Gold | 5,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[15] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
|
^shipments figures based on certification alone |
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Cover versions[edit]
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.
- Mina, released a version of the song on her album Finalmente ho conosciuto il Conte Dracula in 1985.
- 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.
- Maggie Reilly on her 2002 album Save It For A Rainy Day.
- John Barrowman on his 2007 album Another Side.
- Suzy Bogguss on her 2007 album Sweet Danger.
- Upside Down, a British boy band from 1996, charted at number 27
- 3T, feat. T-Rio, 2005
- Boyz II Men on their 2009 album Love
- Egotrippi has released a Finnish version called "Jos Sä Lähdet Pois".
Live cover performances[edit]
- 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.
Sampling[edit]
- A sample of the song is used by British electronica duo Lemon Jelly on the "Nice Weather For Ducks" B-side "Soft" (2003).
See also[edit]
- List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1970s
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1976
- List of number-one singles from the 1970s (UK)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1976 (U.S.)
- List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1976 (U.S.)
- List of European number-one hits of 1977
References[edit]
- ^ a b The Very Best Of: Only the Beginning (Album notes). Chicago. Rhino. 2002. pp. 10, 13. R2 76170.
- ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 55.
- ^ a b "1976 The Number One Singles | Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Green, Paul (August 26, 1978). "Platinum Singles Top '76–'77 Years". Billboard 90 (34): 114. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Top Singles". RPM 26 (2): 23. October 9, 1976. ISSN 0315-5994. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". GfK Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Single – Chicago, If You Leave Me Now". charts.de (in German). Media Control. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Charts.org.nz – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Chicago – If You Leave Me Now – Austriancharts.at". austriancharts.at (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Chicago – If You Leave Me Now – Hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". Music Canada. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "British single certifications – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 10, 2013. Enter If You Leave Me Now in the field Search. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Click Go
- ^ "American single certifications – Chicago – If You Leave Me Now". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 10, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
External links[edit]
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Categories:
- 1976 singles
- Chicago (band) songs
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one singles
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Songs written by Peter Cetera
- Soft rock songs
- Song recordings produced by James William Guercio
- Columbia Records singles
