I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)

"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"

Artwork for UK and Dutch commercial releases
Single by R. Kelly
from the album R. Kelly
Released March 29, 1996 (1996-03-29)
Format CD
Recorded 1995
Genre R&B
Length 5:31 (album edit)
4:41 (radio edit)
Label Jive
Writer(s) R. Kelly
Producer(s) R. Kelly
Certification Platinum (RIAA) [1]
R. Kelly singles chronology
"Thank God It's Friday"
(1995)		 "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
(1996)		 "I Believe I Can Fly"
(1996)

"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" is an R&B single by singer R. Kelly, from his 1995 album R. Kelly. The hit song spent two weeks as number one on the US R&B chart (Kelly's sixth #1 R&B hit), reaching number five on the US Hot 100 chart.

The song is about someone who accidentally ruins his relationship with his lover by distrusting her, and, realizing he was wrong, wants her back.

Background

Kelly wrote this song after he broke apart from his girlfriend at that time, who he was deeply in love with. In 2010 Kelly said he still has not gotten over this girl, whom remains anonymous to this day. He ranked this song as one of his favorite of his that he has recorded.[2]

Music video

The music video for both the original and the remix is directed by Hype Williams.[3] The music video for the original song opens with R. Kelly, driving on a snowy road. He is then shown singing outside a house, and then inside the house. He drives to a phone booth, finishing the song outside. Finally, wearing a fur coat, he sees a helicopter and boards it, and it flies away. Puff Daddy features on the video of the remix.[4][5]

Live performance

R. Kelly does not often perform this song despite its huge success. The first time he performed this song was at the "The Down Low Top Secret Tour" in 1996.[6]

Legacy

The song was number one on the R&B/hip hop charts for two weeks and peaked at number five on the Pop Chart. In 2011, Gospel singer Genita Pugh sampled this song for her single "Can't Live" on her album My Purpose.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1996) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 24
German Chart 63
Austria Chart 37
New Zealand Chart 14
Dutch Singles Chart 42
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 5
US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[8] 36
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[9] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[10] Platinum 900,000[11]

*sales figures based on certification alone

Year-end charts

End of year chart (1996) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Chart[12] 16
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[13] 27

References

  1. ↑ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=R%20Kelly&format=SINGLE&go=Search&perPage=50
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWvv8iWP9bg
  3. ↑ http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=15311
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvqnBgDT6pM
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmDyBUSAIt8
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdMR2_LhUI8
  7. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/277270/r-kelly/chart
  8. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/277270/r-kelly/chart
  9. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/277270/r-kelly/chart
  10. ↑ "American single certifications – Kelly, R. – I Can%27t Sleep". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  11. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard (BPI Communications Inc.) 109 (3): 61. January 18, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ http://www.soulsystem.it/yend.asp?date=31/12/1996
  13. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1996". Retrieved 2010-08-27.

See also

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