If Only (Descendants song)

"If Only" is a song performed by American actress and singer Dove Cameron in her role of Mal from Disney Channel's 2015 television film Descendants, whose music and lyrics were composed by Adam Anders, Nikki Hassman and Peer Astrom. The song debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at 94.[1] The song was included on the film soundtrack of the same name.

"If Only"
Single by Dove Cameron
from the album Descendants (Original TV Movie Soundtrack)
ReleasedJuly 31, 2015 (2015-07-31)
Recorded2015
GenrePop
Length3:49
LabelWalt Disney
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Twin
Descendants singles chronology
"If Only"
(2015)		 "Rotten to the Core"
(2015)

Composition

A midtempo slow-jam pop song, "If Only" exhibits elements of ballad.[2] Multi-tracked harmonies, the song's instrumentation includes slow-bouncing piano tones and keyboard.[3] The song was written by Adam Anders, Nikki Hassman and Peer Astrom and produced by the duo Twin.[4] The critics of Fictively noted that part of the song is an internal monologue, meant to be fluid in the story.[5] Lyrically, the song talks about an internal conflict over a love interest ("Should I let my heart keep listenin'? / Which way should I go?").[6]

Chart performance

On August 11, 2015, "If Only" debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] Then it jumped 5 spots on the chart and peaking at number 94 in its second week before falling off the chart the following week.[1] On August 22, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Kid Digital Songs.[7] Internationally, the song reached number 186 in France.[8]

Live performances

On August 17, 2015, Cameron performed the song at D23 Expo.[9] On August 28, she and Ryan McCartan released an acoustic live video of the song as The Girl and the Dreamcatcher, their band.[10] On October 19, she also performed the song at Downtown Disney during the Descendants Fan Event.[11]

Critical reception
"If Only" has been compared to the soundtracks of Hercules and High School Musical 2.

The song has received positive reviews from music critics. Daynah of Disney Geek He commented that "If Only" is sweet, filled with emotions and "one of the best songs on the album".[3] Marshal Knight of Laughing Place was positive and compared the Cameron's song to "Gotta Go My Own Way", by Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron from High School Musical 2 (2007) and "the good times" of The Cheetah Girls film series, saying "her voice really breaks through and shows emotion, while also belting her face off".[12] Gary Wright of Rotoscopes said that "If Only" is the best of the album in terms of angst and emotion and one of the best works from Disney Channel Original Movies.[2] He also compares the song to "Part of Your World", by Jodi Benson from The Little Mermaid (1989), and "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)", by Susan Egan and Cheryl Freeman from Hercules (1997).[2]

Shirley Li of Entertainment Weekly said that although Descendants is far from perfect, "If Only" is worth it.[13] The critic of Fictively was positive, saying that the song is the best on the album and comparing Cameron's voice to the American singer Jewel.[14] JS Magazine said the song is "amazing" and the best along with "Rotten to the Core".[15]

Music video

The video was directed by Kenny Ortega and released on July 31, 2015.[16] In the video, taken from a film scene, Cameron sings in a forest clearing.[14]

Track listings
  • Digital download[17]
  1. "If Only" – 3:49
  2. "If Only (Reprise)" – 0:41

Charts
Chart performance for "If Only"
Chart (2015) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[18] 186
US Billboard Hot 100[1] 94
US Kid Digital Songs (Billboard)[7] 2

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[19] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history for "If Only"
Country Date Format Label
France[17] July 31, 2015 Digital download Walt Disney

References
  1. "Dove Cameron Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  2. "Disney's 'Descendants': Rotten to the Core". Rotoscopers. 2 August 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  3. "Disney Descendants Soundtrack (Daynah's Thoughts)". Disney Geek. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  4. Descendants Original TV Movie Soundtrack at AllMusic
  5. "EXCLUSIVE: Get the Scoop on the Original Songs From Disney's 'Descendants'". Yahoo!. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  6. "Performed by Dove Cameron". Oh My Disney. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  7. "Billboard (Kid Digital Songs) - August 22, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  8. "DOVE CAMERON - IF ONLY (CHANSON)". SNEP. 2012-09-08. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  9. "Dove Cameron "If Only" from "Descendants" live at D23 Expo- FRONT ROW". Noviant Indah. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  10. "Dove Cameron e Ryan McCartan fazem versão acústica de "If Only", de "Descendentes"". Febre Teen. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  11. Dove Cameron Singing her song "IF Only" LIVE at Downtown Disney #DescendantsFanEvent #Descendants on YouTube
  12. "Album Review: Disney Descendants". Laughing Place. 31 July 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  13. "Descendants react: Did the tale about junior villains cast a spell?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  14. "Movie Review: Disney's Descendants". Fictively. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  15. "10 reasons to loves Disney's Descendants". Julia Silva. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  16. "If Only (From "Descendants") (Official Video)". March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016 – via VEVO.
  17. "Dove Cameron - If Only". Discogs. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  18. "Dove Cameron – {{{song}}}" (in French). Les classement single.
  19. "American single certifications – Dove Cameron – If Only". Recording Industry Association of America.
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