I Can't Sleep Baby (If I): Difference between revisions

"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
	Artwork for UK and Dutch commercial releases
Single by R. Kelly
from the album R. Kelly
Released	June 21, 1996
Genre	R&B
Length	5:31 (album edit); 4:41 (radio edit);
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Robert Kelly
Producer(s)	R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology

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"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" is a single by American R&B singer R. Kelly from his 1995 eponymous album. The song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart (Kelly's sixth number-one R&B hit) and peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, the single reached the top 20 in New Zealand, peaking at number 14.

Background

Kelly wrote this song after he split from his girlfriend at that time, whom he was deeply in love with. In 2010, Kelly said he still has not gotten over this girl, who remained anonymous. He ranked this song as one of his favorites that he has recorded.^[2]

In his autobiography, Kelly states that he originally intended the song to be recorded by Toni Braxton. However, Braxton was unhappy about the fact that they would not be writing together, and she disagreed with Kelly over how the melody would be sung. They agreed to disagree, and Kelly recorded the song himself.^[3]

Critical reception

A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five, adding, "Sounding more like Boyz II Men than R Kelly, this sickly-sweet ballad will nevertheless attract the usual crowd."^[4] The magazine's Alan Jones wrote that it is "a tender ballad softly sung by Kelly (until the ad-lib outro, where he emotes more forcefully, but no less tastefully) with a restrained groin-grinding backing. Fragile but powerful, it floats in on a breeze, and deserves to be a huge summer hit."^[5]

Music video

The music video for both the original and the remix is directed by Hype Williams.^[6] The music video for the original song opens with R. Kelly, driving on a snowy road. He is then shown singing outside a house and then inside the house. He drives to a phone booth, finishing the song outside. Finally, wearing a fur coat, he sees a helicopter, boards it, and it flies away. Puff Daddy features on the video of the remix.^[7]^[8]

Live performance

R. Kelly does not often perform this song despite its huge success. The first time he performed this song was at "The Down Low Top Secret Tour" in 1996.^[9]

Legacy

The song was number one on the R&B/hip hop charts for two weeks and peaked at number five on the Pop Chart. In 2011, Gospel singer Genita Pugh sampled this song for her single "Can't Live" on her album My Purpose. In 2017, American hip hop rapper PnB Rock sampled this song for his song "Hanging Up My Jersey" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) on his album GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[10]	37
Germany (Official German Charts)^[11]	63
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[12]	33
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[13]	42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[14]	14
US Billboard Hot 100^[15]	5
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[16]	1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[17]	17
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[18]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[19]	27
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)^[20]	16
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)^[21]	59
US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard)^[22]	12

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[1]	Platinum	932,000^[23]

References

^ ^a ^b "American single certifications – R. Kelly – I Can't Sleep". Recording Industry Association of America.
^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
^ Kelly, R.; Ritz, David (2012). Soula Coaster. Hay House, Inc. pp. 216–217. ISBN 9781401931773.
^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 27, 1996. p. 10. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
^ Jones, Alan (August 3, 1996). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 21. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
^ "Site Maintenance".
^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
^ "R.Kelly: You Are Not Alone / I Can't Sleep Baby (Live 1996)". YouTube.
^ "R. Kelly – I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R. Kelly – I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R. Kelly – I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R. Kelly – I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R Kelly Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "R Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
^ "Hot R&B Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
^ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30.
^ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32.
^ Samuels, Anita (September 19, 1998). "R. Kelly Aims To Fly With Double Set". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 38. p. 41. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 16, 2016.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|1996 single by R. Kelly}}
-{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
+{{Infobox song
-| Name          = I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)
-| Cover         = Rkellyican'tsleepbaby.jpg
+| name       = I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)
-| Border        =
+| cover      = Rkellyican'tsleepbaby.jpg
-| Alt           =
+| alt        =
-| Caption       = Artwork for UK and Dutch commercial releases
+| caption    = Artwork for UK and Dutch commercial releases
-| Artist        = [[R. Kelly]]
+| type       = single
-| Album         = [[R. Kelly (album)|R. Kelly]]
+| artist     = [[R. Kelly]]
-| A-side        =
+| album      = [[R. Kelly (album)|R. Kelly]]
+| released   = {{Start date|1996|6|21}}<ref name="riaa"/>
-| B-side        =
+| recorded   =
-| Released      = {{Start date|1996|3|29}}
-| Format        = CD
+| studio     =
-| Recorded      = 1995
+| venue      =
-| Genre         = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[quiet storm]]
+| genre      = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
+| length     =
-| Length        = {{Duration|m=5|s=31}} {{small|(album edit)}}<br/>{{duration|m=4|s=41}} {{small|(radio edit)}}
+* {{Duration|m=5|s=31}} (album edit)
-| Label         = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
+* {{Duration|m=4|s=41}} (radio edit)
-| Writer        = [[R. Kelly]]
-| Producer      = [[R. Kelly]]
+| label      = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
+| writer     = [[R. Kelly|Robert Kelly]]
-| Certification = Platinum <small> ([[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]) </small><ref>http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=R%20Kelly&format=SINGLE&go=Search&perPage=50</ref>
+| producer   = R. Kelly
-| Last single   = "[[Thank God It's Friday (R. Kelly song)|Thank God It's Friday]]"<br />(1995)
+| prev_title = [[Thank God It's Friday (R. Kelly song)|Thank God It's Friday]]
-| This single   = "'''I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)'''"<br />(1996)
+| prev_year  = 1995
-| Next single   = "[[I Believe I Can Fly]]"<br />(1996)
-| Misc          =
+| next_title = [[I Believe I Can Fly]]
+| next_year  = 1996
 }}
-"'''I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)'''" is an [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] single by singer [[R. Kelly]], from his 1995 album ''[[R. Kelly (album)|R. Kelly]]''. The hit song spent two weeks as number one on the US R&B chart (Kelly's sixth #1 R&B hit), reaching number five on the US Hot 100 chart.
+"'''I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)'''" is a single by American [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer [[R. Kelly]] from his 1995 [[R. Kelly (album)|eponymous album]]. The song spent two weeks at number one on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B Singles]] chart (Kelly's sixth number-one R&B hit) and peaked at number five on the ''Billboard'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]. Outside the US, the single reached the top 20 in New Zealand, peaking at number 14.
-The song is about someone who accidentally ruins his relationship with his lover by distrusting her and, realizing he was wrong, wants her back.
 ==Background==
-Kelly wrote this song after he split from his girlfriend at that time, whom he was deeply in love with. In 2010, Kelly said he still has not gotten over this girl, who remained anonymous. He ranked this song as one of his favorites that he has recorded.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWvv8iWP9bg</ref>
+Kelly wrote this song after he split from his girlfriend at that time, whom he was deeply in love with. In 2010, Kelly said he still has not gotten over this girl, who remained anonymous. He ranked this song as one of his favorites that he has recorded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWvv8iWP9bg|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref>
+In his autobiography, Kelly states that he originally intended the song to be recorded by [[Toni Braxton]]. However, Braxton was unhappy about the fact that they would not be writing together, and she disagreed with Kelly over how the melody would be sung. They agreed to disagree, and Kelly recorded the song himself.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rMOfpYb4_PEC&q=soulacoaster|title=Soula Coaster|last1=Kelly|first1=R.|last2=Ritz|first2=David|date=2012|publisher=Hay House, Inc|isbn=9781401931773|pages=216–217|language=en}}</ref>
+==Critical reception==
+A reviewer from ''[[Music Week]]'' rated the song three out of five, adding, "Sounding more like [[Boyz II Men]] than R Kelly, this sickly-sweet [[ballad]] will nevertheless attract the usual crowd."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-07-27.pdf|first=|last=|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=July 27, 1996|page=10|accessdate=September 1, 2021}}</ref> The magazine's Alan Jones wrote that it is "a tender ballad softly sung by Kelly (until the ad-lib outro, where he emotes more forcefully, but no less tastefully) with a restrained groin-grinding backing. Fragile but powerful, it floats in on a breeze, and deserves to be a huge summer hit."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-08-03.pdf|first=Alan|last=Jones|title=Talking Music|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=August 3, 1996|page=21|accessdate=September 1, 2021}}</ref>
 ==Music video==
-The music video for both the original and the remix is directed by [[Hype Williams]].<ref>http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=15311</ref> The music video for the original song opens with R. Kelly, driving on a snowy road. He is then shown singing outside a house and then inside the house. He drives to a phone booth, finishing the song outside. Finally, wearing a fur coat, he sees a helicopter, boards it, and it flies away. [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] features on the video of the remix.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvqnBgDT6pM</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmDyBUSAIt8</ref>
+The [[music video]] for both the original and the remix is directed by [[Hype Williams]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=15311|title = Site Maintenance}}</ref> The music video for the original song opens with R. Kelly, driving on a snowy road. He is then shown singing outside a house and then inside the house. He drives to a phone booth, finishing the song outside. Finally, wearing a fur coat, he sees a helicopter, boards it, and it flies away. [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] features on the video of the remix.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvqnBgDT6pM|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmDyBUSAIt8|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref>
 ==Live performance==
-R. Kelly does not often perform this song despite its huge success. The first time he performed this song was at the "The Down Low Top Secret Tour" in 1996.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdMR2_LhUI8</ref>
+R. Kelly does not often perform this song despite its huge success. The first time he performed this song was at "The Down Low Top Secret Tour" in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdMR2_LhUI8|title = R.Kelly: You Are Not Alone / I Can't Sleep Baby (Live 1996)|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref>
 ==Legacy==
-The song was number one on the R&B/hip hop charts for two weeks and peaked at number five on the Pop Chart.
+The song was number one on the R&B/hip hop charts for two weeks and peaked at number five on the Pop Chart. In 2011, [[Gospel music|Gospel]] singer Genita Pugh sampled this song for her single "Can't Live" on her album ''My Purpose''. In 2017, American hip hop rapper [[PnB Rock]] sampled this song for his song "Hanging Up My Jersey" (featuring [[Ty Dolla Sign]]) on his album [[GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions]].
-In 2011, [[Gospel music|Gospel]] singer Genita Pugh sampled this song for her single "Can't Live" on her album ''My Purpose''.
-==Charts and certifications==
+==Charts==
 {{col-begin}}
 {{col-2}}
 ===Weekly charts===
-{| class="wikitable"
+{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
-!Chart (1996)
+!scope="col"|Chart (1996)
-!Peak<br>position
+!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
 |-
+{{single chart|Austria|37|artist=R. Kelly|song=I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|[[UK Singles Chart]]
-|align="center"|24
 |-
+{{single chart|Germany|63|artist=R. Kelly|song=I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)|songid=57810|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|German Chart
-|align="center"|63
 |-
+{{single chart|Dutch40|33|year=1996|week=46|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|Austria Chart
-|align="center"|37
 |-
+{{single chart|Dutch100|42|artist=R. Kelly|song=I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|New Zealand Chart
-|align="center"|14
 |-
+{{single chart|New Zealand|14|artist=R. Kelly|song=I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|Dutch Singles Chart
-|align="center"|42
 |-
+{{single chart|Billboardhot100|5|artist=R Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>http://www.billboard.com/artist/277270/r-kelly/chart</ref>
-|align="center"|5
 |-
+{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=R Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|US [[Top 40 Mainstream|''Billboard'' Top 40 Mainstream]]<ref>http://www.billboard.com/artist/277270/r-kelly/chart</ref>
-|align="center"|36
 |-
+{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|17|artist=R Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
-|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]]<ref>http://www.billboard.com/artist/277270/r-kelly/chart</ref>
+|-
-|align="center"|1
+{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|3|artist=R Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2020}}
 |}
 {{col-2}}
-===Certifications===
-{{Certification Table Top}}
-{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kelly, R.|title=I Can%27t Sleep|type=single|award=Platinum|autocat=true|salesamount=900,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1996 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=BPI Communications Inc.|date=January 18, 1997 |accessdate=May 7, 2015 |page=61 |issn=0006-2510|volume=109|number=3}}</ref>}}
-{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nounspecified=true}}
 ===Year-end charts===
-{| class="wikitable sortable"
+{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
-!align="left"|End of year chart (1996)
+!scope="col"|Chart (1996)
-!align="center"|Position
+!scope="col"|Position
 |-
+!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1996|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1996|access-date=August 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301121523/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1996|archive-date=March 1, 2009}}</ref>
-|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip Hop Chart<ref>http://www.soulsystem.it/yend.asp?date=31/12/1996</ref>
+|27
-|align="center"|16
 |-
-|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1996|title=Billboard Top 100 - 1996|accessdate=2010-08-27}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-12-28.pdf|title=Hot R&B Singles|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=108|issue=52|page=YE-40|date=December 28, 1996|access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>
+|16
-|align="center"|27
 |-
+!scope="row"|US Top 40/Mainstream (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles|magazine=[[Airplay Monitor]]|volume=4|issue=53|page=30|date=December 27, 1996}}</ref>
+|59
+|-
+!scope="row"|US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=4|issue=53|page=32|date=December 27, 1996}}</ref>
+|12
 |}
 {{col-end}}
+==Certifications==
+{{Certification Table Top}}
+{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=R. Kelly|title=I Can't Sleep|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|salesamount=932,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41|last=Samuels|first=Anita|title=R. Kelly Aims To Fly With Double Set|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=110|number=38|page=41|date=September 19, 1998|access-date=November 16, 2016|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>|refname="riaa"}}
+|}
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
 ==See also==
@@ Line 102: / Line 104: @@
 {{R. Kelly singles}}
+{{Authority control}}
+[[Category:1990s ballads]]
+[[Category:1995 songs]]
 [[Category:1996 singles]]
+[[Category:Contemporary R&B ballads]]
+[[Category:Jive Records singles]]
+[[Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams]]
 [[Category:R. Kelly songs]]
+[[Category:Song recordings produced by R. Kelly]]
 [[Category:Songs written by R. Kelly]]
-[[Category:Song recordings produced by R. Kelly]]
-[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
-[[Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams]]
-[[Category:1995 songs]]

v t e R. Kelly singles
Discography Production discography Videography Awards and nominations
Born into the 90's	"She's Got That Vibe" "Honey Love" "Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)" "Dedicated" "Hey Love (Can I Have a Word)"
12 Play	"Sex Me (Parts I and II)" "Bump N' Grind" "Your Body's Callin'" "Summer Bunnies" "It Seems Like You're Ready"
R. Kelly	"You Remind Me of Something" "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" "Thank God It's Friday" "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
R.	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Half on a Baby" "Home Alone" "I'm Your Angel" "When a Woman's Fed Up" "Did You Ever Think" "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" "Only the Loot Can Make Me Happy"
TP-2.com	"I Wish" "The Storm Is Over Now" "Fiesta (Remix)" "Feelin' on Yo Booty" "A Woman's Threat"
Chocolate Factory	"The World's Greatest" "Ignition (Remix)" "Snake" "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)"
The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1	"Thoia Thoing"
Happy People/U Saved Me	"Happy People" "U Saved Me"
TP.3 Reloaded	"In the Kitchen" "Trapped in the Closet (Chapter 1)" "Playa's Only" "Slow Wind" "Burn It Up"
Double Up	"I'm a Flirt (Remix)" "Same Girl" "Double Up" "Rock Star"
Untitled	"Supaman High" "Number One" "Religious" "Echo"
Love Letter	"When a Woman Loves"
Write Me Back	"Share My Love" "Feelin' Single" "When a Man Lies"
Black Panties	"My Story" "Genius" "Cookie" "Legs Shakin'"
The Buffet	"Backyard Party" "Switch Up"
Other singles	"Soldier's Heart" "Honey" "Big Chips" "Hair Braider" "I Believe" "Sign of a Victory" "Platinum" "I Look to You" "Bump & Grind 2014" "Ignition (Viceroy Remix)" "I Admit"
Featured singles	"Down with the Clique" "Street Dreams (Remix)" "Be Careful" "Friend of Mine (Remix)" "Satisfy You" "Contagious" "We Thuggin'" "Gigolo" "Hotel" "Gangsta Girl" "Till the World Ends" "So Sexy" "So Sexy Chapter II (Like This)" "Wonderful" "That's That Shit" "Go Getta" "Speedin'" "Out of This Club" "All the Above" "Ms. Chocolate" "We Been On" "Do What U Want" "PYD" "Make The World Go Round" "It's Your World"
Soundtrack singles	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Bad Man" "The World's Greatest" "I Believe" "Christmas, I'll Be Steppin'"
Other songs	"It Seems Like You're Ready" "Sadie" "G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T." "Heaven I Need a Hug" "I Need an Angel" "Real Talk" "You Are Not Alone" "Shut Up" "Betcha Gon' Know" "Marching Band" "Wake Up Everybody" "I Admit"
Category:R. Kelly songs Category:Songs written by R. Kelly