Released February 17, 2004 Length 3:48 | Genre R&Bsouljazz Label J | |
Format CD single12" singledigital download Recorded Kampo Studios (New York City, New York) | ||
"If I Ain't Got You" is a song recorded, written, and produced by American singer Alicia Keys for her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. Inspired by the 2001 death of fellow R&B singer Aaliyah, the terrorist September 11 attacks in New York City, and other different events in the world and in Keys' life at that time, it is about "how material things don't feed the soul." Musically, the slow bluesy piano ballad features musicians Hugh McCracken on guitar and Steve Jordan on drums.
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Released in February 2004 as the album's second single, the song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Keys' second consecutive R&B chart-topper, remaining atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for six weeks. The song received two nominations at the 2005 Grammy Awards, for Song of the Year and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, winning in the latter.
A remix featuring Usher, a Kanye West Radio Mix, and a Spanish-language version featuring Arturo Sandoval appear on the bonus CD of select international pressings of The Diary of Alicia Keys. The song is featured in the 2004 PlayStation 2 karaoke game Karaoke Revolution Volume 3.
The single cover depicts Keys similarly to the subject of Man Ray's 1924 painting Le Violon d'Ingres.
Background
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."
Commercial performance
"If I Ain't Got You" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number sixty-four on the issue dated March 6, 2004, peaking at number four, four months later, on July 3, 2004. 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. The single was ultimately placed at number three on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart of 2004.
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. In late September 2009, the single returned to the chart at number fifty-four.
Music video
The music video, directed by Diane Martel, is set in a wintry New York City and features a cameo by rapper and actor Method Man as Keys' on-screen boyfriend. It was actually filmed in Alaska, not New York, as widely rumored.
Awards
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Diary of Alicia Keys.