If Only You Knew
Patti LaBelle
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I must have rehearsed my lines A thousand times Until I had them memorized But when I get up the nerve To tell you the words Just never seem to Come out right Hmmm If only you knew How much I do Do love you Oh, if only you knew How much I do Do love you I dream of moments we share But you're not there I'm living in a fantasy 'Cause you don't even suspect Could probably care less About the changes I've been Going through Oh, if only you knew How much I do Do love you Oh, if only you knew How much I do Do need you 'Cause you don't even suspect Could probably care less About the changes I've been Going through If only you knew How much I do Do love you Oh, if only you knew How much I do Do need you Oh, oh if only you knew How much I do Do love you Oh if only you knew How much I do I do need you Oh, if If If I love you, yes You don't know I said you don't know how much I need you, suga Oh, I said you don't know That I love you And I will show I love you
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: Kenny Gamble, Cynthia De Mari Biggs, Dexter Wansel
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song's Background"If Only You Knew" is a song by American recording artist Patti LaBelle. It was released in 1983 and has since become one of her signature songs.
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Chart SuccessThe song was a huge success, peaking at number one on the Billboard R&B chart and number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It remained #1 on the R&B chart for four consecutive weeks in 1984.
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Recording Studio and Album"If Only You Knew" was recorded at the famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. It's a part of the acclaimed album "I'm in Love Again", released in November 1983.
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CreditsThe song was written by Dexter Wansel, Cynthia Biggs, and Kenny Gamble. Wansel and Gamble also produced the song.
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Song ThemeThe song is about unrequited love, with LaBelle singing about how much she loves a man, but she cannot find the courage to confess her feelings to him.
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Iconic PerformancePatti's performance of "If Only You Knew" on the 1985 "Motown Returns to the Apollo" television special is considered as one of her most iconic live performances.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by several other artists including Ruben Studdard, KeKe Wyatt, and Aretha Franklin.
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Song DurationThe runtime of the original song is approximately 4 minutes and 43 seconds.
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VideoThe music video for "If Only You Knew" shows Patti LaBelle performing the song onstage.
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AccoladesDespite the song's success, it was not nominated for any Grammy Awards. However, it continues to be one of Patti LaBelle's most popular songs.
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LegacyThe song is often cited as one of the best R&B vocal performances and ballads of the 1980s. Over the years, its popularity has remained intact, often reintroduced to younger generations through sampling in hip-hop and R&B songs.
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Citation
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