If I Had Words

"If I Had Words" is a 1977 song by Scott Fitzgerald as a duet with Yvonne Keeley. In 1978, it reached number 3 on the UK and Australian charts.[1] It sold more than one million copies worldwide. It was also a hit in Ireland (number 9), New Zealand, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

The tune was taken from the main theme of the maestoso section of Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 in C minor (Symphony with organ) with an added reggae beat. (In the symphony, the theme used in the song is first exposed by the strings section in the second movement; it is later also played by the organ.[2]) The lyrics and arrangement were by Jonathan Hodge, a prolific writer of TV jingles and movie themes, who also produced the single.

The backing was by the St Thomas More Roman Catholic School Choir in Chelsea, London.[3]

In popular culture/cover versions

The song was heard in the 1995 film Babe, sung both by Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) and by a trio of mice for a sped up version. It was also partially incorporated into the film's suite (instrumental). It was also featured in the film's sequel, Babe: Pig in the City.
The song was covered in German by Angie Gold. Her version, titled "Der schönste Tag" (English translation: "The most beautiful day"), was released as a single in Germany on Polydor in 1978.[4]
The song was covered by Hawaiian musician Kealiʻi Reichel in the 1997 album ʻE O Mai.
In 1999, boy band Westlife collaborated with the Vard Sisters and recorded the song.
In 2014, Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Joanna Wang covered the song on her album Midnight Cinema.

Sales and certifications

Certifications for *If I Had Words*
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Netherlands (NVPI)[5]	Platinum	150,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 112. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
Saint-Saëns, Camille (19--). Symphony no. 3 in C minor, opus 78, for orchestra and organ. Available at: http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variations/scores/aef8378/index.html, New York, N.Y.: International Music Co., pp. 126–129.
Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 201. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
"ultratop.be - Angie Gold - Der schönste Tag". Ultratop. Retrieved 2019-12-07.
"Dutch single certifications – Scott Fitzgerald & Yvonne Keeley – If I Had Words" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Enter If I Had Words in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1978 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".

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[aus-1] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 112. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[Score-2] Saint-Saëns, Camille (19--). Symphony no. 3 in C minor, opus 78, for orchestra and organ. Available at: http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variations/scores/aef8378/index.html, New York, N.Y.: International Music Co., pp. 126–129.

[British_Hit_Singles_&_Albums-3] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 201. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

[ultratop.be_-_Angie_Gold_-_Der_schönste_Tag-4] "ultratop.be - Angie Gold - Der schönste Tag". Ultratop. Retrieved 2019-12-07.

[NetherlandsScott_Fitzgerald_&_Yvonne_KeeleyIf_I_Had_WordssingleCertRef-5] "Dutch single certifications – Scott Fitzgerald & Yvonne Keeley – If I Had Words" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Enter If I Had Words in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1978 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".