If Only I Could

"If Only I Could" is a song by American-German singer-songwriter Sydney Youngblood, released in 1989 as the lead single from his debut album, Feeling Free (1989). The song was co-written by Youngblood with Mike Staab, Ralf Hamm, and Claus Zundel, a producer of multi-million-selling projects like 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,[1] 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".[2] "If Only I Could" uses the bassline and drumbeat from the Raze house track "Break 4 Love".

For the television series, see If Only I Could (TV series).
"If Only I Could"
Single by Sydney Youngblood
from the album Feeling Free
B-side"Spooky"
Released1989
Recorded1989
GenreDance, House
Length3:30
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Claus Zundel
Sydney Youngblood singles chronology
"Congratulations"
(1988)		 "If Only I Could"
(1989)		 "Sit and Wait"
(1989)
Music video
"If Only I Could" on YouTube

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 entered the top 10 also in Austria (3), France (8), West Germany (3), Ireland (2), Sweden (9), Switzerland (3) 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.[3] 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 (14) and Finland (17). 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.

Critical reception

Retrospectively, AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis viewed the song as "pure, early-'90s house".[4] Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard noted that the "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."[5] A reviewer from Liverpool Echo named it "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."[6] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "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."[7] David Giles from Music Week noted the song's "lush, sonorous vocal driven by a pulsating bass line", and concluded that "Youngblood looks set to become a big name on the strength of this single."[8] Jacqui Carter from Number One stated, "'If Only I Could' will be one of the 'classic cuts' this year and continually played for many years to come."[9] Orla Swift from Record-Journal described the song as "jazzy".[10]

Music video

A music video was produced 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
  1. "If Only I Could" — 3:30
  2. "Spooky" — 3:54
  • 12" single
  1. "If Only I Could" (Extended Version) — 6:30
  2. "If Only I Could" (Pacha Garden Mix) — 6:35
  3. "If Only I Could" (Instrumental) — 5:10
  • 3" CD single
  1. "If Only I Could" (Radio Edit) — 3:30
  2. "If Only I Could" (Extended Version) — 6:30
  3. "Spooky" — 3:54
  • Cassette single
  1. "If Only I Could" — 3:30
  2. "Spookey" (Instrumental) — 3:54
  3. "If Only I Could" — 3:30
  4. "Spookey" (Instrumental) — 3:54

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for If Only I Could
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[31] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[32] Gold 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] Silver 200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Wendy Matthews' version
"If Only I Could"
Single by Wendy Matthews
from the album Lily
ReleasedApril 1993
Length3:55
LabelRooART
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)T-Bone Burnett
Wendy Matthews singles chronology
"Friday's Child"
(1993)		 "If Only I Could"
(1993)		 "T.K.O."
(1993)

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
  1. "If Only I Could" (Edit) - 3:55
  2. "If Only I Could" (Timebomb Mix) - 5:45
  3. "Until You Say" - 4:48

Charts
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[34] 41

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 616. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 178 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 01 October 1989 - 07 October 1989". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  4. Promis, Jose F. "Sydney Youngblood - Sydney Youngblood". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  5. Flick, Larry (December 8, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 83. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  6. "Sydney Youngblood: Feeling Free". Liverpool Echo. October 28, 1989. page 7.
  7. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. September 23, 1989. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  8. Giles, David (August 5, 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 23. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  9. Carter, Jacqui (October 11, 1989). "Albums". Number One. p. 43. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  10. Swift, Orla (October 21, 1990). "Wendy & Lisa doing better than ever without Prince". Record-Journal. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  11. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received July 15, 2015". imgur.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2016. N.B. The #71 peak listed for the 1990 release of "If Only I Could" is for a triple A-side 12" release of the "I'd Rather Go Blind" single.
  12. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  13. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  14. Danish Singles Chart. November 24, 1989.
  15. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Sydney Youngblood". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 287. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  16. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  17. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved February 15, 2008)
  18. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  19. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  20. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  21. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  22. "Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  23. UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved August 11, 2008)
  24. "Offiziellecharts.de – Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  25. "Jaaroverzichten 1989". Ultratop. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  26. "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  27. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  28. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  29. "Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1989". www.officialcharts.com/. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  30. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  31. "Austrian single certifications – Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  32. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sydney Youngblood; 'If Only I Could')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  33. "British single certifications – Sydney Youngblood – If Only I Could". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  34. "Wendy Matthew – If Only I Could". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
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