If (Bread song)

From Justapedia, unleashing the power of collective wisdom
Jump to navigation Jump to search

"If"
File:If (Bread song).jpg
Single by Bread
from the album Manna
B-side"Take Comfort"
ReleasedMarch 21, 1971 (1971-03-21)
GenreSoft rock
Length2:33
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)David Gates
Producer(s)David Gates
Bread singles chronology
"Let Your Love Go"
(1971) 		"If"
(1971) 		"Mother Freedom"
(1971)

"If" is a song written by American singer-songwriter David Gates in 1971. Originally popularized by his group Bread, "If" charted at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when released as a single in 1971 and No. 6 in Canada. It also spent three weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Easy Listening chart,[1] and one week at the top of the Canadian AC chart.[2]

In the U.S., Bread's tune was the shortest song title to become a top ten hit until 1993, when Prince hit No. 7 with "7", and Britney Spears reached No. 1 with "3" in 2009.

Chart performance

Cover versions

Telly Savalas recorded a mostly-spoken interpretation which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in March 1975,[11] and has the shortest title of any song to reach No. 1 in the UK.[12] This version also charted at No. 12 on the US Billboard Easy Listening chart in late 1974.[13] In Canada, "If" reached No. 88 in the Pop charts, and No. 40 in the AC charts.[14][15]

A parody take on Savalas' rendition, by voice over artists Chris Sandford and Bill Mitchell performing as Yin and Yan,[16] reached No. 25 in the UK.[17]

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 39.
  2. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  3. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 45. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. ^ Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  5. ^ Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  6. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  7. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 5/15/71". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  8. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  9. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1971/Top 100 Songs of 1971". www.musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  10. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1971". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  11. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 311. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  12. ^ Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 166. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  13. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary 1961-1993. Record Research. p. 212.
  14. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - December 14, 1974" (PDF).
  15. ^ "RPM Top 50 AC - December 7, 1974" (PDF).
  16. ^ "About | Chris Sandford – Actor. Presenter. Angler. Writer. Flytyer". Chris Sandford. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  17. ^ "YIN & YAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
Retrieved from "https://justapedia.org/index.php?title=If_(Bread_song)&oldid=1105325569"