If You Leave Me Now
Encyclopedia
"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. It also reached #1 in the UK on November 13, 1976, maintaining the position for three weeks. It was popular in multiple radio format
s, 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
.
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
by the American rock group Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
, from their album Chicago X
Chicago X
Chicago X is the tenth album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1976. The album is notable for its soulfulness, and it ended up being a turning point in the band's career thanks to one song....
. It was written and sung by bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
and released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
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. It also reached #1 in the UK on November 13, 1976, maintaining the position for three weeks. It was popular in multiple radio format
Radio format
A radio format or programming format not to be confused with broadcast programming describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. Radio formats are frequently employed as a marketing tool, and constantly evolve...
s, and at one point during its peak listeners could hear it being played simultaneously on four different New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
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)
Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist has been awarded since 1963. The award is presented to the arranger of the music.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals was awarded between 1966 and 2011...
.
Cover versions
There have been over 100 versions of "If You Leave Me Now" recorded by artists throughout the world, among them:- Alexandra Lushington covered the song during semi-finals stage of the seventh season of American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican 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...
. - Brotherhood of ManBrotherhood of ManBrotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
on their 1980 album Sing 20 Number One HitsSing 20 Number One HitsSing 20 Number One Hits is the tenth album released by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. Released in 1980, it was the group's second biggest-selling album.- Background :... - Elkie BrooksElkie BrooksElkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
, released a version of the song on her album Pearls in 1981. - Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
re-recorded the song as a solo artist for his 1997 album You're the Inspiration: A CollectionYou're the Inspiration: A CollectionYou're the Inspiration: A Collection is largely a compilation of music artist Peter Cetera's duets, though it does feature remakes of the songs "You're the Inspiration," "If You Leave Me Now," and "Baby What a Big Surprise" which he had previously written and recorded with the group Chicago...
. - Khalil FongKhalil FongKhalil Fong was born on 14 July 1983. He is an American born, Hong Kong-based soul Mandopop singer-songwriter signed to the Warner Music Hong Kong.-Biography:...
, a R&B singer based in Hong Kong, recorded a version on his second MandarinStandard MandarinStandard Chinese or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
album, This Love. - Isley Brothers on their 2001 album EternalEternal (Isley Brothers album)Eternal is a 2001 album released by The Isley Brothers on DreamWorks Records. Now popular again with audiences, almost single-handledly for Ronald Isley's "Mr. Biggs" persona, Eternal included production from not only R...
. - Danish popstar Christine MiltonChristine MiltonChristine Milton is a Danish pop singer, songwriter and professional dancer. She was one of the participants in the second series of Denmark's popular Popstars series. Although she did not win she was signed to record label BMG...
recorded an uptempo version for her debut album Friday in 2003. - Philippine bossa novaBossa novaBossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
singer SittiSitti NavarroSitti Katrina Navarro , also known as Sitti, is a Filipino bossa nova singer. After releasing her first album, Café Bossa, in 2006, other bossa nova acts in the Philippines followed. Navarro is also featured in the segment "A.S.A.P. Sessionistas" of the variety show ASAP...
recorded a cover of this song for her second album My Bossa NovaMy Bossa NovaMy Bossa Nova is the second studio album of Philippine bossa nova singer Sitti. Unlike her previous studio album, Café Bossa, this album focused on more recent songs and had very few "traditional" bossa nova songs...
. - John BarrowmanJohn BarrowmanJohn Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
on his 2007 album Another SideAnother Side (John Barrowman album)Another Side is an album released on the 12 November 2007 by John Barrowman. The album is made up entirely of cover versions of popular songs made famous by other artists...
. - Suzy BoggussSuzy BoggussSusan Kay "Suzy" Bogguss is an American country music singer. In the 1980s and 90s she released one platinum and three gold albums and charted six top ten singles, winning the Academy of Country Music's award for Top New Female Vocalist and the Country Music Association's Horizon Award.After...
on her 2007 album Sweet Danger. - Upside Down (boyband), a British group from 1996, charted at #27
- 3T3T3T is an American R&B / Pop music group featuring the three sons of Tito Jackson and Delores "Dee Dee" Jackson. The band members include, from eldest, Tariano Adaryll Jackson II , Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joseph Jackson .-Career:3T released their debut album Brotherhood in 1995...
, feat. T-Rio, 2005 - Boyz II MenBoyz II MenBoyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
on their 2009 album Love - EgotrippiEgotrippiEgotrippi is a Finnish pop group, founded in the early 1990s. Among their hits are "Älä koskaan ikinä", which is featured on the soundtrack of the Finnish movie Nousukausi and "Matkustaja", which reached #11 on the Finnish Top 20 and featured on the soundtrack of the movie Kukkia ja sidontaa...
has released a finnish version called Jos Sä Lähdet Pois.
Live cover performances
- Philip BaileyPhilip BaileyPhilip Irvin Bailey is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter, percussionist and actor, best known as one of the longtime members of Earth, Wind & Fire. Together with Verdine White, B. David Whitworth, and Ralph Johnson he forms the heart of the current EWF line-up on...
of Earth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
sang the song during their joint concerts with Chicago in 2004-2006. This version was included in the Love Songs album by Chicago.
Sampling
- A sample of the song is used by British electronica duo Lemon JellyLemon JellyLemon Jelly is a British electronic music duo from London, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen. Lemon Jelly has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and BRIT Awards....
on the "Nice Weather For Ducks" B-side "Soft" (2003).
See also
- 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
External links
- [ If You Leave Me Now] at allmusic.com