"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 on July 31, 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 as well as hitting number one on the Easy Listening charts. It also reached number one in the UK on November 13, 1976, maintaining the position for three weeks.
"If You Leave Me Now" was also Chicago's biggest hit worldwide, topping the charts in other countries such as Australia. It won Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) (strings) for arranger Jimmie Haskell and producer James William Guercio and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. It also received a nomination for Record of the Year. In addition, by August 1978 it had sold 1.4 million copies in the United States alone. It has been certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.
The song has been featured in several television series and movies such as Three Kings, Shaun of the Dead, A Lot Like Love, Sex and the City, Happy Feet, South Park, and the video game Grand Theft Auto V.
In 2010 Chicago teamed with the American Cancer Society and offered the opportunity to bid on the chance to sing their hit, "If You Leave Me Now" with them on stage live at their concerts, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society to fight breast cancer. The fund raising effort has continued in succeeding years.
According to information on the sheet music for the song at MusicNotes, If You Leave Me Now is written in the key of B major, and Cetera's vocal range varies between F sharp 4 (F♯4) and D sharp 6 (D♯6).
Peter Cetera - lead & backing vocals
Terry Kath - twelve-string acoustic guitar
Robert Lamm - Fender Rhodes electric piano
Danny Seraphine - drums
Laudir de Oliveira - congas, shakers, finger cymbals, wind chimes
Jimmy Pankow - trombone
Lee Loughnane - trumpet
Walt Parazaider - French horn
James William Guercio - acoustic guitar & bass
Jimmie Haskell - string & French horn orchestrations
There have been over 100 versions of "If You Leave Me Now" recorded by artists throughout the world, among them:
Brotherhood of Man on their 1980 album Sing 20 Number One Hits
Elkie Brooks released a version of the song on her album Pearls in 1981
Mina released a version of the song on her album Finalmente ho conosciuto il conte Dracula... in 1985
Marti Webb included the song on her album Encore (1985) which was later re-released on CD entitled If You Leave Me Now (1995)
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
The Isley Brothers on their 2001 album Eternal
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
Maggie Reilly on her 2002 album Save It For A Rainy Day
Suzy Bogguss on her 2007 album Sweet Danger
John Barrowman on his 2007 album Another Side
Upside Down, a British boy band from 1996, charted at number 27
3T, feat. T-Rio, 2005
Boyz II Men on their 2009 album Love
Egotrippi has released a Finnish version called "Jos Sä Lähdet Pois"
Jazz singer Laura Zakian on her 2014 album Songs For Modern Lovers
River Series ft. Alex Charles (vocals), 1995 maxi single containing 4 Eurodance remixes, released by the Dance Pool label
Afonso Nigro, Brazilian pop singer, recorded a Portuguese version called "Se Voce me Deixar", in 2004
Gilmar Monteiro Brazilian singer of Arrocha, a music genre from Bahia, recorded a Portuguese version called "Não me Deixe Amor", and covered the original song, in English
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.
A sample of the song is used by British electronica duo Lemon Jelly on the "Nice Weather For Ducks" B-side "Soft" (2003).
In 2000, Pets.com used the song in a commercial during Super Bowl XXXIV of the same name, which features the sock puppet mascot singing the song, the company closed ten months after this ad first aired.
