If Only (KT Tunstall song)

Infobox Single
Name = If Only


Artist = KT Tunstall
Album = Drastic Fantastic
B-side = "Walk Like an Egyptian"
"The Prayer"
Released = Start date|2008|3|3
Format = CD single, Digital download, Vinyl single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop, Rock, Alternative
Length = 3:46
Label = Relentless, Virgin
Writer = KT Tunstall, Jimmy Hogarth
Producer = Steve Osborne
Certification =
Last single = "Saving My Face"
(2007)
This single = "If Only"
(2008)
Next single =
Misc = "If Only" is an alternative rock song performed by Scottish singer KT Tunstall. The song was written by Tunstall and Jimmy Hogarth for Tunstall's third album "Drastic Fantastic" (2007). It was released as the album's third single in the United Kingdom on March 3 2008. [The Evening Standard [http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6341/es1os3.jpg"KT Tunstall - My London"] . Retrieved February 15, 2008.] "If Only" reached number forty-five on the UK singles chart.

History

"If Only" first appeared as a track on Tunstall's second unreleased demo album, "Toons March '03". The demo version of "If Only" is markedly different from the version found on "Drastic Fantastic", with a mellower sound and slightly slower tempo and Tunstall having a slightly higher tone to her voice. For a period of time, prior to the release of "Eye to the Telescope", the demo versions of "If Only" and "Other Side of the World" were available for download free of charge on Tunstall's website.

"If Only" is reportedly one of KT Tunstall's favorite songs on "Drastic Fantastic". [ [http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/2008/01/kt_tunstall_performs_live_on_t_1.html NPR: KT Tunstall Performs Live on the BPP] . Retrieved June 11, 2008.]

Music video

The music video for "If Only" was directed by James Caddick and filmed at the Olympic Ski Jumping Hill (Lysgårdsbakken) in Lillehammer, Norway. [Nyhagen, Alexander. [http://www.vg.no/musikk/artikkel.php?artid=502452 "Se premieren på KT Tunstalls «norske» video"] . VG Nett. February 27 2008. Retrieved March 31 2008.] The video features Tunstall as a ski jumper who fails to complete an important jump. The video concludes with an injured Tunstall bleeding from the nose being helped up, smiling to the camera.

Critical reception

"If Only" has received mixed reviews from music critics. Reviewers for "Channel 4" praised the song for its "chirpy chorus and beaming harmonies" and gave it eight stars out of ten. [ [http://www.channel4.com/music/singles/reviews-alphabeat-fascination-hard-fi-overcome-one-republic-kt-tunstall.html Channel 4 "If Only" single review] . Retrieved on April 4, 2008.] Christopher Hammer of "AllGigs.co.uk" gave it three stars out of five, calling it an " [almost] perfect song for a lazy Sunday afternoon drive". [Hammer, Christopher. [http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/review/2871/KT_Tunstall_If_Only_Single_Review.html] . Retrieved April 3, 2008.] Sarah Walters of the "Manchester Evening News" was less impressed, viewing the song's "chart-ready pop" sound and "bah-bah-bah backing vocals" as a step backwards from her earlier hits such as "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree", and gave it two stars out of five. [Walters, Sarah. [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/single_reviews/s/1038677_kt_tunstall__if_only_relentless] . Retrieved April 3, 2008.]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of single releases of "If Only". UK CD single
(Released Start date|2008|3|3)
#"If Only"
#"Walk Like An Egyptian" (Live in Liverpool)

7" vinyl single
(Released March 3, 2008)
#"If Only"
#"The Prayer" (Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Digital download
(Released Start date|2008|3|3)
#"If Only"
#"Walk Like An Egyptian" (Live in Liverpool)

Charts

Notes