If I Ain't Got You

Infobox Single
Name = If I Ain't Got You


Artist = Alicia Keys
Album = The Diary of Alicia Keys
Released = February 17, 2004
Format = CD single, 12" maxi single, digital download
Recorded = Kampo Studios
(New York City, New York)
Genre = Soul, jazz
Length = 3:48 (Album/Single Version)
Label = J
Writer = Alicia Keys
Producer = Alicia Keys
Certification = Gold (RIAA)
Last single = "You Don't Know My Name"
(2003)
This single = "If I Ain't Got You"
(2004)
Next single = "Diary"
(2004)
Misc = Extra track listing
Album = The Diary of Alicia Keys
Type = studio
prev_track = "You Don't Know My Name"
prev_no = 5
this_track = "If I Ain't Got You"
track_no = 6
next_track = "Diary"
next_no = 7 Extra track listing
altAlbum = Unplugged
Type = live
Length = 4:06
Label = J
prev_track = "If I Was Your Woman"
prev_no = 7
this_track = "If I Ain't Got You"
track_no = 8
next_track = "Every Little Bit Hurts"
next_no = 9

"If I Ain't Got You" is a soul–jazz song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her second studio album, "The Diary of Alicia Keys" (2003). Released in February 2004 as the album's second single, the song peaked at number four on "Billboard" Hot 100 and became Keys' second consecutive R&B chart-topper, remaining atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for six weeks. It reached number three on the "Billboard" Hot 100 Year-End chart for 2004. A remix featuring Usher and a Spanish-language version featuring Arturo Sandoval appear on the bonus CD of select international pressings of "The Diary of Alicia Keys". The song is featured in the 2004 PlayStation 2 karaoke game "Karaoke Revolution Volume 3".

The single's music video, directed by Diane Martel, is set in a wintry New York City and features a cameo by rapper-actor Method Man as Keys' boyfriend.

Syesha Mercado sang this song on the seventh season of "American Idol", and is also performing this song on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008. Eli Mattson also sang this song on "America's Got Talent" in 2008.

Personnel

Musicians

*Alicia Keys – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano
*Steve Jordan – drums
*Fred Cash, Jr. – bass
*Hugh McCracken – guitar
*Arcell Vickers – organ
*David Watson – horn
*Darryl Dixon – horn
*Joe Romano – horn
*L. Green – backing vocals
*Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
*Katreese Barnes – backing vocals

Production

*Alicia Keys – producer
*Kerry "Krucial" Brothers – digital programming
*Tony Black – engineer
*Manny Marroquin – mixing

Charts

Awards

*Grammy Awards
**Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
*MTV Video Music Awards
**Best R&B Video
*ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards
**Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year
*ASCAP Pop Awards
**Most Performed Song
*NAACP Image Awards
**Outstanding Music Video
**Outstanding Song
*Soul Train Music Awards
**Best R&B/Soul Single, Female
*Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
**Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year
*Vibe Awards
**Best R&B Song

References

succession box
before = "Yeah!" by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
title = U.S. "Billboard" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single (first run)
years = May 1, 2004 – May 29, 2004
after = "Burn" by Ushersuccession box
before = "Burn" by Usher
title = U.S. "Billboard" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single (second run)
years = July 3, 2004
after = "Confessions Part II" by Usher