Wikipedia

If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

Not to be confused with If I Could Turn Back Time or Turn Back the Hands of Time.

"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" is a song by American singer R. Kelly, released as the fifth single from his third album, R. (1998).[1] The song is a ballad about a man wishing he could go back in time and repair his relationship with his girlfriend.[citation needed] The song peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a top-10 hit across Europe, peaking at number one in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time"
Single by R. Kelly
from the album R.
ReleasedJuly 27, 1999 (1999-07-27)
Length
  • 6:17 (album and single version)
  • 4:56 (radio edit)
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)Robert Kelly
Producer(s)R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
"Did You Ever Think"
(1999) 		"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time"
(1999) 		"Satisfy You"
(1999)

Success and legacy edit

The song has sold 660,000 copies in the United Kingdom and is one of R. Kelly's biggest international hits, In Belgium, the song peaked at number one in both Flanders and Wallonia and is certified triple platinum for selling over 150,000 copies. The song was certified gold in the United States in October 2001.[2]

The song has been covered by several musicians, including Ed Sheeran and talent show contestants.[3] Rapper Mims sampled the song for his debut album Music Is My Savior on the track "I Did You Wrong".[4][unreliable source?]

Live performances edit

Kelly did not perform this song very often, he performed this song for the first time on live television when he was in England on the show Top of the Pops.[5] He seemed to perform this song more when he does a show in Europe than in the US, reason for that is that this song was highly successful there.

Charts and certifications edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[53] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[54] 3× Platinum 150,000*
France (SNEP)[55] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[56] Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[57] Platinum 75,000^
Sweden (GLF)[58] Platinum 30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[59] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] Platinum 660,000[60]
United States (RIAA)[2] Gold 500,000[62]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States July 27, 1999
Jive [63]
August 3, 1999
[64]
August 9, 1999 Adult contemporary radio [65]
September 21, 1999
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [2]
United Kingdom October 18, 1999
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [66]

References edit

  1. ^ "R Kelly - R. CD".
  2. ^ a b c "American single certifications – R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". Recording Industry Association of America.
  3. ^ Ed Sheeran - If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time (R.Kelly Cover). July 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Mims's I Did You Wrong sample of R. Kelly's If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time - WhoSampled". WhoSampled.
  5. ^ R. Kelly- If i could turn back the hands of time live at top of the pops. September 12, 2009 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  6. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 152.
  7. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  10. ^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7285." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  13. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 49. December 4, 1999. p. 11.
  14. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in French). Les classement single.
  15. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  16. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". Irish Singles Chart.
  17. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". Top Digital Download.
  18. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  19. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". Top 40 Singles.
  21. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". VG-lista.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  23. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". Singles Top 100.
  24. ^ "R. Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". Swiss Singles Chart.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  26. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
  27. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  28. ^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  29. ^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  30. ^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  31. ^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Rapports Annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "Year in Focus: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999". Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. January 1, 2000. p. 11.
  35. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1999" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  36. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  38. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  39. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1999" (in German). Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  40. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
  41. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  42. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2000". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  43. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  44. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2000" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  45. ^ "Year in Focus: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000". Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 52. December 23, 2000. p. 9.
  46. ^ "Tops de l'année Top Singles: 2000". SNEP Musique (in French). Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  47. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2000" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  48. ^ "Top 100 of 2000". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  50. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2000" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  51. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2000" (in German). Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  52. ^ "Ultratop Nineties 500: 1–50" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  53. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Kelly R. – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  54. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2000". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  55. ^ "French single certifications – R Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  56. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (R. Kelly; 'If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  57. ^ "Dutch single certifications – R Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved February 21, 2022. Enter If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1999 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  58. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
  59. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('If I Could Turn Back the Time')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  60. ^ Myers, Justin (November 14, 2014). "Number 1 today in 1999: Robbie Williams – She's the One". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  61. ^ "British single certifications – R Kelly – If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  62. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 4. January 22, 2000. p. 63. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  63. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1309. July 23, 1999. pp. 92, 100.
  64. ^ "AddVance Notice / Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1310. July 30, 1999. pp. 66, 71.
  65. ^ "AC: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1311. August 6, 1999. p. 82.
  66. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 18 October, 1999: Singles". Music Week. October 16, 1999. p. 23.
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