If I Told You That

src: i.ytimg.com

"If I Told You That" is a 2000 duet by American singer Whitney Houston and British singer George Michael. The song was released as the first UK single and the second US single from Houston's Whitney: The Greatest Hits album. The song first appeared on Houston's 1998 multi-Platinum My Love Is Your Love album, where she sang it solo. George Michael's vocals were later recorded and added to the song when it was being included on Houston's greatest hits package. In addition to adding Michael's vocals to the newer version of the song, the arrangement of the song was also modified, albeit only very slightly. The song was originally to feature Michael Jackson.

While Houston performed the song in concert, the two never collaborated on a live version. Michael never performed the song live at any of his concerts. Although "If I Told You That" was a hit, it did not appear on Michael's compilation album Twenty Five.

Video If I Told You That

Critical reception

Billboard wrote that "whatever magic might be found in this effort most certainly is going to come from the fine vocal performances. Houston scats and offers shout-outs that give "If I Told You That" a spontaneity and energy [...], while Michael still stands tall as one of the finer soul men to step in front of the mike. This pairing is mightily inspired[.], adding that "the track's instrumental palette is definitely of the moment, with a driving shuffle beat and layered vocals[.] The hook is catchy enough, with a chorus that's simple and easy to sing along with." J. D. Considine of The Baltimore Sun felt that "If I Told You That" is a song on which Houston is "faking attraction with George Michael". LA Weekly in its review for Whitney: The Greatest Hits commented that "[o]n paper, the Houston-Michael coupling is inspired[.] But Michael simply adds his pinched, nasal vocals to the track [...], the result of which is two people singing at one another and daring the listener to care". The Baltimore Sun wrote: "when she sings in "If I Told You That" about giving in to temptation and having a fling with a friend, we shouldn't suppose she's thinking of any friend in particular."

Maps If I Told You That

Music video

The music video directed by Kevin Bray features Houston and Michael in a nightclub, eventually meeting on the dance floor, similar to that of Mary J. Blige and Michael's UK hit "As". The US DVD single for Houston's song "Fine" includes the music video for "If I Told You That". The video is also included on George Michael's video compilation Twenty Five.

The music video on YouTube has 19 million views as of May 2017.

src: i.imgflip.com

Live versions

• Houston performed the song regularly in her set for the My Love Is Your Love World Tour in 1999, and performed the song during her four-date promotional Greatest Hits Live in 2000 and the Soul Divas Tour in 2004.

src: i.ytimg.com

Track listings and formats

• Australian maxi single

1. "If I Told You That" (album version) -- 4:33
2. "Fine" (album version) -- 3:35
3. "If I Told You That" (Johnny Douglas Mix) -- 4:48
4. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" (Dronez Mix) -- 5:05

• European maxi single

1. "If I Told You That" (album version) -- 4:33
2. "If I Told You That" (Johnny Douglas Mix) -- 4:48
3. "Fine" (album version) -- 3:35

• Promo CD single

1. "If I Told You That" (radio edit) -- 4:05
2. "If I Told You That" (album version) -- 4:38

src: i.ytimg.com

Personnel

• Produced by Rodney Jerkins for Darkchild Entertainment Inc.
• Additional production: George Michael
• Remix recorded by Dexter Simmons at The Hit Factory, Miami, FL
• Mixed by Jon Douglas
• Mix engineer: Ren Swan
• All instruments: Rodney Jerkins

src: s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

Charts

src: i.ytimg.com

References

src: i.ytimg.com

External links

• If I Told You That at Discogs

Source of the article : Wikipedia