If I Wanted To

"If I Wanted To" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1994 as the final single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). The song entered the top 50 in Australia, Canada, Iceland, and the United States.

"If I Wanted To"
Single by Melissa Etheridge
from the album Yes I Am
Released1994
StudioA&M (Hollywood)
Length
  • 3:55 (album version)
  • 3:35 (edit)
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)Melissa Etheridge
Producer(s)
Melissa Etheridge singles chronology
"All American Girl"
(1994)		 "If I Wanted To"
(1994)		 "Your Little Secret"
(1995)

Commercial performance

"If I Wanted To", which was released as a double A-side with "Like the Way I Do" in the United States, debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1995 at No. 25, making it the highest-debuting single of 1995 at that point.[1] The single's debut was the highest for any song since Boyz II Men's "On Bended Knee" debuted at No. 14 in November 1994.[1]

"If I Wanted To" peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1995.[2] Strong singles sales in March 1995 for TLC's "Red Light Special", Real McCoy's "Run Away", and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa" prevented "If I Wanted To" from rising higher on the Hot 100 despite widespread airplay on major US radio stations.[3]

Critical reception

Fred Bronson of Billboard wrote that with the single's debut, "Melissa Etheridge continues to solidify her new status as a chart superstar with the highest-debuting single of 1995."[1] Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report felt that the song "rocks with the best of her previous winners, but can also stand alone on its own merit, as it builds in intensity without losing its cool."[4] Sam Wood from Philadelphia Inquirer found that with "If I Wanted To" "she describes her own desires with a full palette of harrowing visions that never meander into prettified abstraction".[5]

Music video

The single's accompanying music video was directed by Samuel Bayer.

Track listings
  • US and Australian maxi-CD single[6][7]
  1. "If I Wanted To" – 3:29
  2. "Come to My Window" (live) – 3:21
  3. "Bring Me Some Water" (live) – 4:35
  4. "Like the Way I Do" (live) – 10:12
  • US 7-inch single[8]
A. "If I Wanted To" – 3:29
B. "Come to My Window" – 3:34
  • US cassette single[9]
  1. "If I Wanted To" – 3:29
  2. "Like the Way I Do" – 5:23

Charts

References
  1. Bronson, Fred (February 18, 1995). ""Bow" Wows at No. 2; Hot Shot Melissa (page 122)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2016 – via Google Books.
  2. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  3. Elliot, Dave (March 18, 1995). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight (page 83)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2016 – via Google Books.
  4. Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (January 20, 1995). "Gavin A/C: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 33. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  5. Wood, Sam (October 5, 1993). "Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop; Session with Stanley Turrentine". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  6. If I Wanted To (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. 422-854-239-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. If I Wanted To (Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. 854 239-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. If I Wanted To (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. 422-854 238-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. If I Wanted To (US cassette single sleeve). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. 422-854-238-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "Melissa Etheridge – If I Wanted To". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9182." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  12. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9152." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  13. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (25.2 '95 – 3.3 '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 25, 1995. p. 24. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  14. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  15. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  16. "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
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