Released November 16, 2002 Genre R&B, pop Label Blackground/Universal | Format CD single, 12" single Length 4:05 | |
Recorded Fall 1999; Sony Music Studios
(New York City, New York) | ||
"Miss You" is a song by American recording artist Aaliyah. Written by Johnta Austin, Ginuwine and Teddy Bishop in 1998 and initially recorded in the fall of 1999 for her self-titled third studio album (2001), the track remained unreleased. Instead, it was later included on the posthumously released compilation album, I Care 4 U (2002), serving as its leading single during the last quarter of 2002.
Contents
The ballad received positive reviews from contemporary music critics and achieved a strong charting throughout Europe and other worldwide regions, reaching the top twenty in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. On the US Billboard charts, the song peaked on top of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and reached number three on the Hot 100, becoming Aaliyah's highest-charting single after her 2000 number-one hit "Try Again" featuring Timbaland.
The music video for the song was directed by Darren Grant and featured tributes by Aaliyah's friends and collaborators, including DMX, Missy Elliott, and Static Major. It received a nomination for Best R&B Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Rapper Jay-Z made a tribute to Aaliyah using the "Miss You" instrumental and chorus for its official remix version in Summer 2003.
Background
"Miss You" was written by R&B singer Ginuwine, Johnta Austin and Teddy Bishop, while produced by the latter, and was originally crafted for Ginuwine's second studio album 100% Ginuwine (1999). It was fall of 1999, and while Aaliyah was recording tracks for self-titled third album (2001) in the Manhattan Center Studios, she requested Austin and Bishop to play her a couple of tracks they had produced with other artists, including "I Miss You" for which Ginuwine had already lent his vocals. Bishop later commented, "She was like, 'I want to cut this record' [...] She got on the phone, called him and said 'Hey I know you cut this record already, but I would love to cut it'." Ginuwine, who was a part writer on the song, allowed her to cut her own version of it and the same night, Aaliyah re-recorded the whole track. Though she reportedly wanted to put the song out herself, Blackground Records, her label, felt the song was no "smash record" and thus, the song was left unused until her death in August 2001.
Reception
Slant Magazine called the single "Aaliyah-lite". MusicOMH.com called the single the best new song of the album as well as stating "poignant lyrics ... mix well with a thoughtful, reflective, laid back tune." Allmusic—while mentioning the single with the song "All I Need"—said that they "don't have the edge of her classic Timbaland productions, but they stand up well — even when they're slotted next to the best songs of her career."
It debuted at number fifty-five on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number three. It was ranked eight on the year-end chart of the Billboard Hot 100 and ranked three on the year-end chart of Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. In the week of November 22, 2008, the song debuted at number thirty-eight on the Top Ringtone chart, over five years after its original release.
Music video
The music video for the song was directed by Darren Grant and featured tributes by Aaliyah's friends and collaborators, including DMX, Missy Elliott, Toni Braxton, Tweet, Static Major, and various others. The video shot in two locations, Long Island City, New York, and Los Angeles, California. Tweet, Lil' Kim, Jaheim, and Lil' Jon were among those who came to the Long Island shoot. Jamie Foxx, DMX, and Ananda Lewis were some of the celebrities who appeared at the L.A. shoot.
The music video begins with various artists saddened over Aaliyah's death with DMX delivering a message to his dear friend Aaliyah with the words:
"Dearest, sweet Aaliyah, I have trouble accepting the fact that you’re gone... so I won’t. It’ll be like... we went for a while without seeing each other. But I can understand why God would've wanted you close to Him, cause you were truly an angel on earth... and in every special way.. I love you, and miss you”
Between cuts clips from Aaliyah's early videos and her cameos in other artists' videos were used. Aaliyah merchandise (posters, jackets, and even a motorcycle) also appeared in the video. "Miss You" landed at #23 on BET: Notarized Top 100 videos of 2003.
List of cameos
(in order of appearance)