If You Can Want
Encyclopedia
"If You Can Want" is a 1968 single recorded by R&B group Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for Motown Records
' Tamla label. Written and produced by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
, "If You Can Want" was the most successful of the three singles included on the group's 1968 album Special Occasion
. This single just missed the U.S. Top 10,peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100
in the United States
, and was a Top 5 R&B hit, peaking at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart, and was also a hit in England, peaking at number 50 on the United Kingdom singles chart
.
The song's lyrics portray the narrator as a man in love with a woman who only views him as a casual friend. However, the narrator hopes that the woman will eventually come to appreciate his affections:
If you can want,you can need,
if you can need, you can care,
if you can care,you can love,
So if you wan't me, i'll be there. "If You Can Want" was the group's only major hit in 1968, and was performed by the Miracles on their 1st appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
. Two other releases that year, "Yester Love
" and "Special Occasion
", missed the Billboard Hot 100's Top 20, beginning a lull in the Miracles' chart performance until the Top 10 success of "Baby, Baby Don't Cry
" in spring 1969.
Personnel Credits:The Miracles
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
' Tamla label. Written and produced by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, "If You Can Want" was the most successful of the three singles included on the group's 1968 album Special Occasion
Special Occasion (Miracles album)
Special Occasion is an album by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles released in 1968. It contains three Top 40 hits: "If You Can Want", "Yester Love", and "Special Occasion". Also included are versions of the Motown hits "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Everybody Needs Love" and The Beatles'...
. This single just missed the U.S. Top 10,peaking at number 11 on the 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was a Top 5 R&B hit, peaking at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart, and was also a hit in England, peaking at number 50 on the United Kingdom 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 ...
.
The song's lyrics portray the narrator as a man in love with a woman who only views him as a casual friend. However, the narrator hopes that the woman will eventually come to appreciate his affections:
If you can want,you can need,
if you can need, you can care,
if you can care,you can love,
So if you wan't me, i'll be there. "If You Can Want" was the group's only major hit in 1968, and was performed by the Miracles on their 1st appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
. Two other releases that year, "Yester Love
Yester Love
"Yester Love" was a 1968 song by Motown Records R&B group The Miracles on its Tamla subsidiary label...
" and "Special Occasion
Special Occasion (Miracles song)
"Special Occasion" is a 1968 hit single recorded by Motown Records R&B group Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, issued by its Tamla Records subsidiary and taken from the album of the same name...
", missed the Billboard Hot 100's Top 20, beginning a lull in the Miracles' chart performance until the Top 10 success of "Baby, Baby Don't Cry
Baby, Baby Don't Cry
"Baby, Baby Don't Cry", released in December 1968, is a 1969 single recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for Motown Records' Tamla label. The composition was written by Smokey Robinson, Motown staff writers Al Cleveland and Terry Johnson, a former member of The Flamingos...
" in spring 1969.
Personnel Credits:The MiraclesThe MiraclesThe Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
- Lead vocals by Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
- Background vocals by Claudette Rogers RobinsonClaudette Rogers RobinsonClaudette Rogers Robinson is an African-American soul singer, a member of The Miracles from 1957 to 1972. Her brother Emerson "Sonny" Rogers was an original member of the group, which was originally called "The Matadors" before 1957; Claudette Rogers took her brother's place after he was drafted...
, Pete MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
, Ronnie White, and Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
. - Guitar by Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
Cover versions
The Miracles' original hit recording of "If You Can Want" has inspired cover versions by the following artists:- Barbara McNairBarbara McNairBarbara McNair was an African American singer and actress.Born Barbara Jean McNair in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McNair studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago...
- The DirtbombsThe DirtbombsThe Dirtbombs are an American garage rock band based in Detroit, Michigan, notable for blending diverse influences such as punk rock and soul while featuring a dual bass guitar, dual drum and guitar lineup...
- Chazz Dixon