If (Bread song)

"If" is a song written by American singer-songwriter David Gates in 1971. Originally popularized by his group Bread, the song charted at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when released as a single in 1971 and number six in Canada. The song also spent three weeks at number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart,[1] and one week at the top of the Canadian AC chart.[2]

"If"
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)

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

"If" has been a perennial favorite at weddings (for example, as a first-dance song) ever since it was released.[3]

Chart performance

Cover versions

It has been covered by other singers and musicians, including Petula Clark, Sergio Franchi, Eddie Kendricks, Cleo Laine, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Gerry And The Pacemakers, Tom Jones, Jack Jones, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Bassey, Dorothy Squires, Mirusia Louwerse, Herbie Mann, Julio Iglesias, Joe Pass, Ryoko Moriyama, Westlife, Olivia Newton-John, Dolly Parton, Scott Walker, Andy Williams, Frankmusik, Sarah Geronimo, Deni Hines, George Millard, Damien Leith, Angélica and Rogier van Otterloo.

Telly Savalas version

Telly Savalas recorded a mostly-spoken version which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in March 1975,[12] and has the shortest title of any song to reach number one in the UK.[13] This version also charted at No. 12 on the US Billboard Easy Listening chart in late 1974.[14]

A parody version of the Savalas version, recorded by voiceover artists Chris Sanford and Bill Mitchell performing as Yin and Yan,[15] reached number 25 in the UK.[16]

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. "First Dance Songs for Weddings". Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  4. 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.
  5. Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  6. Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  7. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  8. "Cash Box Top 100 5/15/71". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  9. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  10. "Top 100 Hits of 1971/Top 100 Songs of 1971". www.musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  11. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1971". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  12. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 311. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  13. 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.
  14. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary 1961-1993. Record Research. p. 212.
  15. "About | Chris Sandford – Actor. Presenter. Angler. Writer. Flytyer". Chris Sandford. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  16. "YIN & YAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
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