If You Leave Me Now
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| “If You Leave Me Now” | |||||
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| Single by Chicago from the album Chicago X |
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| B-side | "Together Again" | ||||
| Released | July 1976 | ||||
| Format | 7" | ||||
| Recorded | 1976 | ||||
| Genre | Pop rock | ||||
| Length | 3:58 | ||||
| Label | Columbia Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | Peter Cetera | ||||
| Producer | James William Guercio | ||||
| Certification | Platinum | ||||
| Chicago singles chronology | |||||
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"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. It also reached the number one spot in the UK, maintaining the position for three weeks. It was popular in multiple radio formats, 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.
[edit] Cover versions
There have been over 100 versions of "If You Leave Me Now" recorded by artists throughout the world, among them:
- Viola Wills recorded the song adding lyrics at the intro in 1981.
- Elkie Brooks, released a version of the song on her album Pearls in 1981.
- Peter Cetera re-recorded the song as a solo artist for his 1997 album You're the Inspiration: A Collection.
- Khalil Fong, a R&B singer based in Hong Kong, recorded a version on his second Mandarin album, This Love.
- Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire sang the song during their joint concerts with Chicago in 2004-2006. This version was included in the Love Songs album by Chicago.
- Danish popstar Christine Milton recorded an uptempo version for her debut album Friday in 2003.
- Philippine bossa nova singer Sitti recorded a cover of this song for her second album My Bossa Nova.
- John Barrowman on his 2007 album Another Side.
[edit] Trivia
- South Park character Butters Stotch has sung portions of this song in several episodes of the series.
- In the animated film, Happy Feet, the hero penguin, Mumble, feels obliged to drive away his love for her to have a normal life. Observing this, the adèle amigos sing an a cappella version of the song to try to convince Mumble to call her back.
- In the film Three Kings, as two characters argue over what music to play on their car's CD player, a brief (one second or less) but highly recognizable clip of this song's chorus can be heard.
- Incidentally, "If You Leave Me Now" became Chicago's first number one hit in 1976, the same year the former mayor of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, who objected to the group's using the name "Chicago Transit Authority," died.
- The song was played in the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead, shortly after Shaun was dumped by his girlfriend.
- The song was played and sang in the 2005 film A Lot Like Love, in the scene where Emily and Oliver drove the car
- The single was originally not scheduled for release as early as it was. "Another Rainy Day in New York City", the first single from Chicago X, was almost immediately ignored by radio in favor of this song as an album cut. Columbia Records, therefore, decided to bring forward the song as a single to meet demand.
- The song was used as a tribute to Len Berman, sportscaster, on his last evening working for WBZ-TV (Boston) on June 16, 1978. He is now the weekday sportscaster for WNBC-TV in New York and appears on the Today Show.
- It was also featured in a season six episode of the HBO series Sex and the City, ending the episode of the gay prom.
- Lemon Jelly sample the song in their track 'Soft'
| Preceded by "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single October 23, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Rock'n Me" by Steve Miller Band |
| Preceded by "Mississippi" by Pussycat |
UK number one single November 13, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Under the Moon of Love" by Showaddywaddy |
| Preceded by "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees |
United World Chart number one single October 30, 1976 – December 18, 1976 |
Succeeded by "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" by Leo Sayer |
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