If You Leave Me Now
| "If You Leave Me Now" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Together Again" |
"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976.
The single topped the US charts on October 23, 1976 and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit for the group. It was popular in multiple radio formats, and at one point during its peak listeners could hear it being played simultaneously on four different New York City radio stations.
"If You Leave Me Now" was also Chicago's biggest hit worldwide after topping the charts in other countries such as Britain and Australia. It went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
In a 2006 poll for a Channel 5 program Britain's Favourite Break-up Songs, "If You Leave Me Now" was voted eighth.
Cover versions
There have been over 100 versions of "If You Leave Me Now" recorded by artists throughout the world, among them:
- Peter Cetera re-recorded the song as a solo artist for his 1997 album You're the Inspiration: A Collection.
- Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire sang the song during their joint concert with Chicago in 2004. This version was included in the Love Songs album by Chicago.
- Danish popstar Christine Milton recorded an uptempo version for her debut album Friday in 2003.
Trivia
- South Park character Butters Stotch has sung portions of this song in several episodes of the series.
the song has been sang by other music artists
- In the animated film, Happy Feet, the hero penguin, Mumble, feels obliged to drive away his love for her to have a normal life. The adèle amigos observing this sing a cappella version of the song to try to convince Mumble to call her back.
- In the film Three Kings, as two characters argue over what music to play on their car's CD player, a brief (one second or less) but highly recognizable clip of this song's chorus can be heard.
- Incidentally, when "If You Leave Me Now" became Chicago's first number one hit in 1976, the same year former mayor of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, who objected to the group's using the name "Chicago Transit Authority," died.