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If Only I Could
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = If Only I Could
| cover = If_only_I_could.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Sydney Youngblood
| album = Feeling Free
| B-side = Spooky
| released = 1989
| recorded = 1989
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Dance, House
| length = 3:30
| label = Virgin
| writer = *Claus Zundel
*Mike Staab
*Sydney Youngblood
*Ralf Hamm
| producer = Claus Zundel
| prev_title = Congratulations
| prev_year = 1988
| next_title = Sit and Wait
| next_year = 1989
| misc =
}}
"'If Only I Could'" is a 1989 song by American-German singer Sydney Youngblood. Released as the lead single from his debut album, 'Feeling Free' (1989), the track was composed by Claus Zundel, a producer of multi-million-selling projects Sacred Spirit and B-Tribe. It was released on vinyl, audio cassette and compact disc, and is now considered Youngblood's signature song, being his biggest hit and remaining popular with many of his fans. The song reached number one in Belgium and was a top 3 hit in many countries, including the UK, where it was the 11th-best-selling single of 1989. In the song, Youngblood evokes "the world of brotherhood and love that he would like to create 'if only [he] could'". This utopian humanism is "very uncommon in the songs devoted to nightclubs".Elia Habib, 'Muz hit. tubes', p. 178 "If Only I Could" uses the bassline and drumbeat from the Raze house track "Break 4 Love".
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis described the song as "pure, early-'90s house" in his review of 'Sydney Youngblood'. Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that "rich-voiced crooner temporarily moves away from usual R&B arena and pumps up the bass for this tasty, deep-baked houser that splashes with a nifty Motown-flavored undercurrent and funky wah-wah guitars. The right edit could set urban and pop radio ablaze." A reviewer from 'Liverpool Echo' said the song "was one of the nicest dance/pop records of recent months, bringing songs back into dance music. And - Sydney knows a good song when he hears one.""Sydney Youngblood: Feeling Free". 'Liverpool Echo'. October 28, 1989. page 7. Retrieved March 28, 2020. Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' commented that "finally, Youngblood has found a song good enough to take his smooth, sweet voice to the higher reaches of the charts. The song combines a variety of styles - reggae meets hip-house with a dash of lover's rock. A sympathetic production by Claus Zundell and some supremely tasteful Spanish guitar breaks make this record a melodic delight. Starting to move rapidly up the UK chart and looking likely to repeat that success across Europe." Orla Swift from 'Record-Journal' noted the song as "jazzy".
Chart performance
"If Only I Could" was very successful on the charts in Europe, becoming the singer's biggest hit to date. It peaked at number-one in Belgium and made it to the top 10 also in Austria, France, West Germany, Ireland (number two), Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at number four. In the UK, the single hit number three at the UK Singles Chart on October 1, 1989. It spent two weeks at that position and was the 13th best-selling single of 1989. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in both Denmark and Finland. Outside Europe, "If Only I Could" reached number 28 in New Zealand and number 122 in Australia. It earned a gold record in both Austria and West Germany, with a sale of 15,000 and 250,000 singles, and a silver record in the UK, after 200,000
units were sold there.
Music video
A music video was made to promote the single. It features Youngblood bouncing around a ball that resembled the earth, while donning urban clothing and traditional African clothing.
Track listings
* '7" single'
# "If Only I Could" 3:30
# "Spooky" 3:54
* '12" single'
# "If Only I Could" (Extended Version) 6:30
# "If Only I Could" (Pacha Garden Mix) 6:35
# "If Only I Could" (Instrumental) 5:10
* '3" CD single'
# "If Only I Could" (Radio Edit) 3:30
# "If Only I Could" (Extended Version) 6:30
# "Spooky" 3:54
* 'Cassette single'
# "If Only I Could" 3:30
# "Spookey" (Instrumental) 3:54
# "If Only I Could" 3:30
# "Spookey" (Instrumental) 3:54
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Wendy Matthews' version
Australian recording artist Wendy Matthews released a version of the song in April 1993 as the third single from her second studio album, 'Lily'. The song peaked at number 41 on the ARIA Charts.
Track listing
# "If Only I Could" (Edit) - 3:55# "If Only I Could" (Timebomb Mix) - 5:45
# "Until You Say" - 4:48
Charts
References
Category:1989 singles
Category:1993 singles
Category:1989 songs
Category:English-language German songs
Category:Number-one singles in Belgium
Category:Songs written by Claus Zundel
Category:Sydney Youngblood songs
Category:Virgin Records singles
Category:Wendy Matthews songs
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