If I Don't Have You
"If I Don't Have You" | ||||
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Streamline Records | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Da Internz | |||
Tamar Braxton singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"If I Don't Have You" on YouTube |
"If I Don't Have You" is a song by American singer
"If I Don't Have You" is a
In an accompanying music video released on June 9, 2015, Braxton plays a prostitute who develops a one-sided relationship with one of her clients. The visual features American television personality
Background and release
"If I Don't Have You" was written by
The song was made available on May 27, 2015 as a
Composition and lyrics
"If I Don't Have You" is a
According to Essence's Imani Brammer, "If I Don't Have You" functions as an "ode to vulnerability and honesty". Braxton explained: "The whole vibe of 'If I Don't Have You' is about being transparent, being aware with yourself."[11] The singer also connected the single's content with her past romantic relationships by commenting: "I have nothing to hide about how I feel. Before I was married I kissed a lot of frogs and ogres, I talk about those experiences candidly."[12]
Reception
Critical reception towards "If I Don't Have You" was primarily positive upon its release. It received a nomination for the
"If I Don't Have You" peaked at number 18 on the Hot R&B Songs Billboard chart on August 1, 2015, and remained on the chart for eight weeks.[15] It also reached number 19 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Billboard chart on August 15, 2015, and stayed on the chart for 19 weeks.[16]
Music video and promotion
Music video
A
The music video takes place in a brothel,[7] in which the singer plays one of its prostitutes, along with her close friends Shateria Moragne-el, Khadijah Hagg, and Malika Haqq in similar roles.[11][22] While discussing her character in the visual's narrative, Braxton explained "it doesn't necessarily mean that we're selling ourselves. It just means we're all looking for something".[22] In the video, Braxton develops a one-sided relationship with one of the clients.[23] A majority of the clip focuses on Braxton performing the song while modeling.[7] It ends with the singer left alone while crying about her lost love.[17] Even though the single's lyrics focus on missing a romantic partner, the video does not prominently feature a male lead.[7] Braxton's mother also appears in the visual as one of the brothel's customers.[9][17]
American television personality
The video received positive responses from critics. While he questioned how the visuals matched the song, Kevin Apaza of
Live performance
Braxton performed "If I Don't Have You" on the BET Awards 2015, along with American singers K. Michelle and Patti LaBelle. As part of the performance, Michelle sang her 2015 single "Hard to Do" and the three artists performed LaBelle's 1983 single "If Only You Knew".[24] The performance was noted by media outlets as ending the rivalry between Braxton and Michelle;[24][25] Braxton said: “Life is all about forgiveness, love, and unity, so tonight, I’m sorry K. Michelle, and I also forgive you.”[24] The two artists previously had disagreements after Braxton joked about Michelle's allegations that she was physically abused by her ex-boyfriend.[26] A writer for BET described the performance as a "battle of the ballads".[25]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "If I Don't Have You" | 4:12 |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Calling All Lovers.[1]
Management
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Personnel
- Songwriting – Tamar Braxton, Kevin Randolph, Tony Russell, Makeba Riddick-Woods, Ernest Clark, Marcos Palacios, LaShawn Daniels, and Tiyon "TC" Mack
- Production – Da Internz
- Mixing – Tiyon "TC" Mack
- Mastering engineer – Gene Gremaldi
Charts
Chart (2015) | Peak position |
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US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[15] | 18 |
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[16] | 19 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref |
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Worldwide | May 27, 2015 | Digital download | Epic, Streamline Records | [2][4] |
References
- ^ Streamline Records (Inlay cover). Tamar Braxton. October 2, 2015.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ a b Muhammad, Latifah (May 27, 2015). "Listen to Tamar Braxton's New Single, 'If I Don't Have You'". BET. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016.
- ^ Idolator.
- ^ a b c Swanson, Laura (May 27, 2015). "Tamar Braxton Launches New Single, "If I Don't Have You" to Radio and Retail Today - Coinciding With Brand New Season of #1 Rated Reality Series "Braxton Family Values" (WE-tv)". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017.
- ^ a b "New Music: Tamar Braxton "If I Don't Have You"". Rap-Up. May 26, 2015. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
- ^ a b c Faulkner, Brent (December 17, 2015). "Tamar Braxton: Calling All Lovers". PopMatters. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017.
- ^ SpinMedia. Archivedfrom the original on April 9, 2016.
- ^ PopCrush. Townsquare Media. Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Hillyer, Diamond (October 2, 2015). "Review: Tamar Braxton Tears Pages From Her Book Of Love For The 'Calling All Lovers' LP". Vibe. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on July 21, 2017.
- ^ Smiley, Rickey (May 27, 2015). "Tamar Braxton "If I Don't Have You" [New Music]". Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017.
- ^ a b Brammer, Imani (July 10, 2015). "Exclusive: Go Behind the Scenes of Tamar Braxton's 'If I Don't Have You' Video". Essence. Time Inc. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016.
- Idolator.
- Grammy Award. Archivedfrom the original on December 3, 2017.
- Idolator.
- ^ a b "Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017.
- ^ a b "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Augustine, Afiya (July 10, 2015). "Tamar Braxton Works For NeNe Leakes in "If I Don't Have You" Video". Wetpaint. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017.
- ^ a b Schillaci, Sophie (July 9, 2015). "See NeNe Leakes Play a Madam in Tamar Braxton's New Music Video". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on July 14, 2016.
- ^ Mercy (June 15, 2015). "Tamar Braxton Unveils 'If I Don't Have You' Lyric Video". SoulBounce.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017.
- ^ Nichole, Erica (May 29, 2015). "Vixen Boombox: Tamar Braxton Declares Her Love In 'If I Don't Have You'". Vibe. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017.
- ^ "She Did That: "If I Don't Have You" Video Teaser..." TamarBraxton.com. July 1, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Schillaci, Sophie (July 1, 2015). "Exclusive: Tamar Braxton Parties With NeNe Leakes in New Video Tease". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016.
- from the original on April 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c "K. Michelle and Tamar Braxton Perform Together at the BET Awards". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. June 28, 2015. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "BET Awards: Battle of the Ballads: K. Michelle, Tamar Braxton and Patti LaBelle". BET. June 28, 2015. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ "History of Beef: Tamar Braxton Versus K. Michelle". VH1. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on May 7, 2017.