If This Isn't Love (Jennifer Hudson song)
Encyclopedia
"If This Isn't Love" is a song recorded by Jennifer Hudson
. It was written and composed by Theron Thomas
, Timothy Thomas and Brian Kennedy
, and produced by Kennedy for Hudson's eponymous debut album
. It is the second single from the album Jennifer Hudson
.
said that " 'If This Isn't Love' succeeds at sounding completely modern without eschewing the standard adult-contemporary song structure that's tailor-made for pipes like Hudson's.".
Digital Spy
said "'If This Isn't Love' is a delicate love song that finds Hudson in her natural comfort zone. "God sent me an angel from above, that's going to love me for life," she sings soulfully, with recent events making the lyrics particularly resonant. Combining modish beats with a cool, breezy chorus, 'If This Isn't Love' may not be in the same league as recent power ballads from Beyoncé and Leona
, but it has an understated charm that's hard to quibble with". "The single comes with no fewer than six different remixes, but the straightforwardly-titled Fraser T. Smith Remix wins "B-side Of The Week" as it adds a bit of extra zest to the song without removing any of its understated charm. Smith has carefully tinkered with the track's foundations, injecting some R&B adrenaline and a bit more of a beat. Thankfully, he's also chopped out the male screeching from the start of the original, which seemed bizarrely inappropriate in the first place."
” on Wednesday’s (April 15) results show.
at #195 on February 22, 2009 and reached a peak of #37 on downloads alone, the single is now Hudson's second consecutive top 40 hit. Due to a high peak of #3 on the UK Airplay Chart, "If This Isn't Love" charted at #20 on Hit40UK
(a now discontinued alternate to the UK Singles Chart). The UK was also the country that saw the highest chart position for Hudson's previous single "Spotlight
". To date "If This Isn't Love" has spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart.
It also debuted and peaked at #84 on Billboard
s Hot 100. Several weeks later, it reached a new peak at #63 due to Hudson's performance on the April 15, 2009 results show of American Idol
. On the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
, the song is being a big hit, peaking at #5, until now, marking her second Top 5 hit on the Hot R&B Songs. Hudson made history with "If This Isn't Love" when it earned its second consecutive week at #1 on the Urban Adult Radio Charts. Jennifer joins a group of only 5 other women in urban adult history to reach this accomplishment.
. The video premiered February 11, 2009 on AOL
, Entertainment Tonight
, and 106 & Park
.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place...
. It was written and composed by Theron Thomas
Theron Thomas
Rock City are an U.S. Virgin Islands R&B singing, rapping, and songwriting duo, consisting of, two brothers, Timothy Thomas and Theron Thomas .-History:...
, Timothy Thomas and Brian Kennedy
Brian Kennedy (producer)
Brian Kennedy Seals is an American songwriter, record producer and musician from Kansas City, MO. Revered as a piano prodigy, he has been making music tracks since 2001...
, and produced by Kennedy for Hudson's eponymous debut album
Jennifer Hudson (album)
Upon its release, Jennifer Hudson received mixed reviews from music critics. Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe said that, "Despite its flaws, Hudson's debut comes on much like her Dreamgirls character, with admirable self-assurance and real-girl sensuality." Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly...
. It is the second single from the album Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson (album)
Upon its release, Jennifer Hudson received mixed reviews from music critics. Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe said that, "Despite its flaws, Hudson's debut comes on much like her Dreamgirls character, with admirable self-assurance and real-girl sensuality." Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly...
.
Critical reception
Allmusic said that "Hudson's voice is smoothed out through the fluttery "If This Isn't Love" (not to mention spiked with grating male grunts of "Hey!"), nearly unrecognizable until the point where she belts.".Slant magazineSlant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
said that " 'If This Isn't Love' succeeds at sounding completely modern without eschewing the standard adult-contemporary song structure that's tailor-made for pipes like Hudson's.".
Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
said "'If This Isn't Love' is a delicate love song that finds Hudson in her natural comfort zone. "God sent me an angel from above, that's going to love me for life," she sings soulfully, with recent events making the lyrics particularly resonant. Combining modish beats with a cool, breezy chorus, 'If This Isn't Love' may not be in the same league as recent power ballads from Beyoncé and Leona
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, but it has an understated charm that's hard to quibble with". "The single comes with no fewer than six different remixes, but the straightforwardly-titled Fraser T. Smith Remix wins "B-side Of The Week" as it adds a bit of extra zest to the song without removing any of its understated charm. Smith has carefully tinkered with the track's foundations, injecting some R&B adrenaline and a bit more of a beat. Thankfully, he's also chopped out the male screeching from the start of the original, which seemed bizarrely inappropriate in the first place."
Promotion
Hudson performed “If This Isn’t Love” on "Ellen Degeneres Show" on March 26, 2009 and on “American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
” on Wednesday’s (April 15) results show.
Chart performance
The single entered the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #195 on February 22, 2009 and reached a peak of #37 on downloads alone, the single is now Hudson's second consecutive top 40 hit. Due to a high peak of #3 on the UK Airplay Chart, "If This Isn't Love" charted at #20 on Hit40UK
Hit40uk
Hit40UK was a networked Top 40 chart show broadcasting on around 130 UK commercial radio stations every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. It is now a TV programme shown on 4Music. The radio version was produced in house by Global Radio and Somethin' Else...
(a now discontinued alternate to the UK Singles Chart). The UK was also the country that saw the highest chart position for Hudson's previous single "Spotlight
Spotlight (Jennifer Hudson song)
"Spotlight" is an R&B song written and produced by Ne-Yo and Norwegian production duo Stargate for Jennifer Hudson's self titled debut album. It was released digitally on June 10, 2008 as the album's first single, and reached the top thirty of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
". To date "If This Isn't Love" has spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart.
It also debuted and peaked at #84 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s Hot 100. Several weeks later, it reached a new peak at #63 due to Hudson's performance on the April 15, 2009 results show of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. On the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, the song is being a big hit, peaking at #5, until now, marking her second Top 5 hit on the Hot R&B Songs. Hudson made history with "If This Isn't Love" when it earned its second consecutive week at #1 on the Urban Adult Radio Charts. Jennifer joins a group of only 5 other women in urban adult history to reach this accomplishment.
Formats and tracklistings
UK Digital Download- "If This Isn't Love"
- "If This Isn't Love" (Fraser T. SmithFraser T. SmithFraser T. Smith is an English record producer, songwriter, mix engineer and guitarist....
Remix) [3:36]
Official versions
- Album Version — 3:36
- Radio Edit — 3:32
- Instrumental — 3:38
- Fraser T Smith Remix — 3:40
- StoneBridge Remix — 6:37
- StoneBridge Instrumental — 6:36
- StoneBridge Radio Edit — 3:14
Music video
Hudson shot a music video for the track in Los Angeles on January 26, 2009 with director Diane MartelDiane Martel
Diane Martel is a music video director and choreographer.-Choreographer:1989*Bloodhounds of Broadway 1991*"Shiny Happy People" - R.E.M...
. The video premiered February 11, 2009 on AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
, Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, and 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (2008/2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 76 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
37 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
63 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
5 |
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| United States | February 24, 2009 |
| United Kingdom | March 23, 2009 |
External links
- JenniferHudsonOnline.com — official site