Remarks:
This was the number one song 30 years ago today on the American R&B charts, back in 1984. It is Patti LaBelle’s best song in my opinion. It would probably make my list of Desert Island Classics.
It is not just me: the song has been covered to death. The video shows Patti LaBelle, Phil Perry, Whitney Houston (RIP), Keke Wyatt, Mariah Carey, Rachelle Ferrell, Ronald Isley, Peabo Bryson, Tamia and Brian McKnight singing parts of the song. That leaves out Ledisi and SWV. At least. Ciara has done a version too, though not a straight cover. Keke Wyatt’s cover has appeared in this space before.
It is so classic that I thought the song was from the 1970s. In a sense it is: it is done in a Philly soul style that reached its height in the 1970s. Other Philly soul songs that I have posted:
- The Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again (1974)
- Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes: If You Don’t Know Me By Now (1972)
- Billy Paul: Me and Mrs Jones (1972)
See also:
Lyrics:
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
If only you knew
How much I do
Do love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need 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 prob’ly care less
About the changes I’ve been going through
If only you knew
How much I do
Do love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need you
No, you don’t even suspect
Could prob’ly care less
About the changes I’ve been going through
If only you knew
How much I do
Do love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need you
Read more: Patti LaBelle – If Only You Knew Lyrics | MetroLyrics
30 years ago? Really???? I was in high school. Dang time flies. ……
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I was a sophomore in HS. This was my jam!!!
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Yes!
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Oh Yeah!!!! Love Miss Patti. She is a true diva.
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I remember this song; Ms Labelle’s delivery of it struck me as very heartfelt. I had no idea it had been covered by other singers.
A truly great song as sung by a truly great songstress.
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How is Rap more common? What I consider rap literally died out with the really bad sounding Crunk phase in the mid 2000s. There’sonly discombobulated pop, etc, that has no real story to tell but they probably making more money than they ever with it in terms of the marketed.
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Coko of SWV covered this song on their recent 2012 album “I Missed Us”. And trust, she kilt it.
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Ms. Patti was, and still is as awesome as ever! This song and countless others of hers give helped to create the soundtrack to my elementary school years! 😀
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This is a sweet one. This and Luther’s “If this world were mine,” just fill up the room with sweet comfort. That sentimental romancing. You’re almost left two stepping against your will.
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