"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. It was ranked No. 440 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time".[2] Keys herself said that it is one of her favorite songs.[3] 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[edit]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."[4] 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.[5] Commercial performance[edit]"If I Ain't Got You" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number sixty-four on the issue dated March 6, 2004,[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] The single was ultimately placed at number three on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart of 2004.[9] 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.[10] In late September 2009, the single returned to the chart at number fifty-four.[11] 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.[12] By August 2020, the song had reached 4× Platinum certification.[13] Music video[edit]The music video for "If I Ain't Got You", directed by Diane Martel, was filmed in Harlem, New York City, and features a cameo by rapper and actor Method Man as Keys' on-screen boyfriend.[14] Awards[edit]
Track listings and formats[edit]
Personnel[edit]Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Diary of Alicia Keys.[25]
Charts[edit]Certifications[edit]
Release history[edit]See also[edit]
References[edit]
Who did Alicia Keys write if I ain't got you for?Alicia Keys has revealed that her hit song 'If I Ain't Got You' was inspired by late singer Aaliyah. In a clip for The Voice, Alicia explains that she wrote the track pretty soon after hearing about Aaliyah's death in a plane crash in 2001, adding that it remains "one of my favourite songs".
Who has Alicia Keys written songs for?Keys has written and produced several songs with her husband, Swizz Beatz (both pictured) including "New Day", Whitney Houston's "Million Dollar Bill", "Wait Til You See My Smile" and "Put It in a Love Song" featuring Beyoncé. Keys co-wrote the song "Tears Always Win" with Bruno Mars.
When was if I aint got you written?"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).
...
If I Ain't Got You.. Who originally wrote If I ain't got you?Alicia KeysIf I Ain't Got You / Composernull
|