"If I Ain't Got You" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her second studio album The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Inspired by the 2001 death of singer Aaliyah, the September 11 attacks, and other events in the world and in Keys' life, the song is about "how material things don't feed the soul". It was released as the second single from The Diary of Alicia Keys on February 17, 2004, by J Records. The single cover depicts Keys similarly to the subject of Man Ray's 1924 photograph Le Violon d'Ingres.[1]

"If I Ain't Got You"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album The Diary of Alicia Keys
B-side"You Don't Know My Name"
ReleasedFebruary 17, 2004 (2004-02-17)
StudioKampo (New York City)
Genre
Length3:48
LabelJ
Songwriter(s)Alicia Keys
Producer(s)Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"You Don't Know My Name"
(2003)
"If I Ain't Got You"
(2004)
"Diary"
(2004)
Music video
"If I Ain't Got You" on YouTube

"If I Ain't Got You" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Keys' second consecutive R&B chart-topper, remaining atop of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for six weeks. The song received two nominations at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards (2005), for Song of the Year and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, winning the latter. It was ranked at number 440 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time".[2] Since its release, Keys has said that it is one of her favorite songs.[3]

In 2023 the song was reinterpreted in a classical version by Keys and Kris Bowers for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Soundtrack, which the singer performed with a 70-piece orchestra of women of color.[4]

Background and composition

edit

Keys said that the idea of the song was inspired by Aaliyah's death: "The song idea came together right after Aaliyah passed away. It was such a sad time and no one wanted to believe it. It just made everything crystal clear to me—what matters, and what doesn't."[5]

In September 2020, Keys revealed that she almost offered the song to Christina Aguilera, as the singer wanted to work with Keys.[6] She eventually wrote the song "Impossible" for Aguilera's album Stripped.[7] There is a remix of the song that features additional vocals by Usher.

Commercial performance

edit

"If I Ain't Got You" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number sixty-four on the issue dated March 6, 2004,[8] peaking at number four, four months later, on July 3, 2004. It spent twenty non-consecutive weeks in the top ten, one of the longest stays of any song that year and outlasting many number-one singles.[9] The song topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs on May 1, 2004, and spent six non-consecutive weeks atop the chart. It was also successful on Billboard component charts, reaching number five on the Rhythmic Top 40 and number nine on the Mainstream Top 40.[10] The single was ultimately placed at number three on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart of 2004.[11]

In the United Kingdom, "If I Ain't Got You" debuted and peaked at number eighteen on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending April 10, 2004.[12] In late September 2009, the single returned to the chart at number fifty-four.[13]

In September 2016, Keys appeared on The Voice as a coach, with a contestant singing the song, and it made a new entry into the R&B/Hip Hop singles charts, driving total sales up to 1.5  million units.[14] By August 2020, the song had reached 4× Platinum certification.[15]

Music video

edit

The music video for "If I Ain't Got You", directed by Diane Martel, was filmed in Harlem, New York City, and features a cameo by rapper and actor Method Man as Keys' on-screen boyfriend.[16]

Accolades

edit
Award nominations for "If I Ain't Got You"
Year Ceremony Award Result Ref.
2004 Grammy Awards Song of the Year Nominated
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Won
Billboard Music Awards Hot 100 Single of the Year Nominated
Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year Nominated
R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year Won
R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Song of the Year Won
MTV Video Music Awards Best Female Video Nominated
Best R&B Video Won
2005 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year Won
ASCAP Pop Awards Most Performed Song Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Song Won
Outstanding Video Won
Soul Train Music Awards Best R&B/Soul Single – Female Won
Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year Won
Award nominations for "If I Ain't Got You (Orchestral)"
Year Ceremony Award Result Ref.
2023 MTV Video Music Awards Video for Good Nominated

Track listings and formats

edit

Personnel

edit

Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of The Diary of Alicia Keys.[33]

  • Alicia Keys – piano, producer, background vocals, vocals
  • Katreese Barnes – background vocals
  • Adamo Simione – engineering
  • Kerry Brothers Jr. – digital programming
  • Fred Cash Jr. – bass
  • Darryl Dixon – horn
  • L. Green – background vocals
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Hugh McCracken – guitar
  • Cindy Mizelle – background vocals
  • Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
  • Joe Romano – horn
  • Arcell Vickers – organ
  • David Watson – horn

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[65] 4× Platinum 280,000
Canada (Music Canada)[66] 4× Platinum 320,000
Germany (BVMI)[67] Gold 150,000
Italy (FIMI)[68] Platinum 70,000
Japan (RIAJ)[69] Gold 100,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[70] 4× Platinum 120,000
Portugal (AFP)[71] Platinum 40,000
South Korea (Gaon)[a] 882,728[72]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[73] Platinum 60,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] 2× Platinum 1,200,000
United States (RIAA)[75] 6× Platinum 6,000,000
United States (RIAA)[76]
Mastertone
Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

  1. ^ Sales from 2010 onwards

Release history

edit
Release dates and formats for "If I Ain't Got You"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States February 17, 2004 Digital download (EP) J
February 23, 2004
March 9, 2004 Rhythmic contemporary radio
Japan March 24, 2004 Maxi CD Sony Music
Germany March 29, 2004
United Kingdom RCA
United States April 27, 2004 Contemporary hit radio J
August 9, 2004 Adult contemporary radio
France September 28, 2004 CD Sony BMG

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Le Violon d'Ingres (Ingres's Violin)". J. Paul Getty Museum. J. Paul Getty Trust. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
  2. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  3. ^ "'The Voice' Coach Alicia Keys Reveals How Aaliyah's Death Inspired 'If I Ain't Got You': Exclusive Video". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  4. ^ Reilly, Nick (4 May 2023). "Alicia Keys on revamping 'If I Ain't Got You' for 'Queen Charlotte' soundtrack". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. ^ Osei, Anthony (June 9, 2011). "Alicia Keys Says "If I Ain't Got You" Was Inspired By Aaliyah's Death". Complex. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  6. ^ Lavin, Will (September 19, 2020). "Alicia Keys' 'If I Ain't Got You' was almost a Christina Aguilera song". NME. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  7. ^ Gracie, Bianca (September 19, 2020). "We've Got A File On You: Alicia Keys". Stereogum. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Hot 100: Mar 06, 2004,". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  9. ^ "The Hot 100: Jul 03, 2004,". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "The Diary of Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "2004 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. December 25, 2004. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  12. ^ "2004 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive". Official Charts Company. April 10, 2004. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Alicia Keys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  14. ^ "Hip Hop Single Sales: Lil Wayne, D.R.A.M. & The Weeknd". Hip Hop DX. October 2, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  15. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America.
  16. ^ Reid, Shaheem (January 22, 2004). "Alicia Keys Gets Method Man For 'If I Ain't Got You' Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "47th Annual GRAMMY Awards". Recording Academy. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  18. ^ "2004 Billboard Music Awards Winners". Billboard.
  19. ^ "2004 MTV Video Music Awards Winners". Billboard. August 30, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "2005 Rhythm & Soul Awards". ASCAP. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  21. ^ "ASCAP 2005 Pop Music Awards: Winners List". ASCAP. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  22. ^ Kaufman, Gil (March 1, 2005). "Usher, Alicia Keys Win Big At Soul Train Awards". MTV. Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  23. ^ "Mariah Carey Wins Lady of Soul Awards". Fox News. Associated Press. September 8, 2005. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  24. ^ Corcoran, Nina (August 8, 2023). "MTV VMAs 2023 Nominees Announced: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  25. ^ If I Ain't Got You (European CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, MBK Entertainment, BMG. 2004. 82876 597902.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ^ "If I Ain't Got You". 15 June 2004 – via Amazon.
  27. ^ If I Ain't Got You (European CD single (Remix) liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, MBK Entertainment. 2004. 82876 655372.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ^ "If I Ain't Got You". 5 April 2004 – via Amazon.
  29. ^ If I Ain't Got You (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2004. 82876-59965-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ^ If I Ain't Got You (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2004. 82876-59351-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ^ "If I Ain't Got You - EP by Alicia Keys". Apple Music.
  32. ^ "iTunes – Music – If I Ain't Got You (Black Eyed Peas Remix) – Single by Alicia Keys". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 2014-11-23.
  33. ^ The Diary of Alicia Keys (CD liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876 57017 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ^ "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  35. ^ "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  36. ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1561. June 25, 2004. p. 30. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  37. ^ Alicia Keys & Usher — If I Ain't Got You. TopHit. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  38. ^ "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  39. ^ a b "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  40. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alicia Keys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  41. ^ "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  42. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  43. ^ "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  44. ^ "Nielsen Music Control". Archived from the original on October 22, 2007.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  46. ^ "Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  47. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  48. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  49. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  50. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  51. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  52. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  53. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart – 2012.02.19~2012.02.25". Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  54. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  55. ^ "Philippines Hot 100: Week of October 12, 2024". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  56. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2004" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  58. ^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played AC Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 28.
  59. ^ "2004 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard.biz. December 25, 2004. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  60. ^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 22.
  61. ^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 29.
  62. ^ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top AC Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 33.
  63. ^ "Decade End Charts – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  64. ^ "Decade End Charts – R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  65. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  66. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Music Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  67. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alicia Keys; 'If I Ain't Got You')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  68. ^ "Italian single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  69. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 11, 2021. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
  70. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Radioscope. Retrieved December 20, 2024. Type If I Ain't Got You in the "Search:" field.
  71. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  72. ^ Year-end International Download Charts 2010-2013 and 2015
  73. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Alicia Keys / Usher – If I Ain't Got You". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  74. ^ "British single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  75. ^ "American single certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Recording Industry Association of America. March 13, 2023.
  76. ^ "American ringtone certifications – Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  77. ^ "If I Ain't Got You EP by Alicia Keys". United States: Apple Music. February 17, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  78. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1543. February 20, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  79. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1545. March 5, 2004. p. 27. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  80. ^ "If I Ain't Got You Alicia Keys CD Album". CDJapan (in Japanese). March 24, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  81. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 27, 2004. p. 39.
  82. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1552. April 23, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  83. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1567. August 6, 2004. p. 23. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  84. ^ "If I ain't got you – Alicia Keys – CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. September 28, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.