If We Had Your Eyes

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"If We Had Your Eyes"
Single by Michelle Williams
from the album Journey to Freedom
ReleasedJune 24, 2013 (2013-06-24)
StudioLondon Bridge Studios, L.A.
Genre
Length4:34
eOne
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Harmony Samuels
Michelle Williams singles chronology
"Waiting on You"
(2011) 		"If We Had Your Eyes"
(2013) 		"Fire"
(2013)

"If We Had Your Eyes" is a song recorded by American singer

Fantasia Barrino was released on November 5, 2013.[1]

Background

In June 2012, it was announced that Williams had signed a record deal with

Chris Brown and Kelly Rowland. Sometimes when you say you're doing a gospel album, it seems like people go back to their vaults of music they did in 1992, and I'm like, 'No, give me fresh-sounding music.' So this (album) sounds very current and contemporary."[3]

On June 14, Williams announced "If We Had Your Eyes" as the lead single from her fourth studio album and released a 30-second preview and the release date.

Fantasia Barrino was released on November 4, 2013.[1]

Composition and lyrics

Fantasia Barrino appears on the official remix of "If We Had Your Eyes".[7]

"If We Had Your Eyes" is an

MTV Buzzworthy writer Brad Stern described the song as a "gospel/old-school R&B infused track".[8] Jeff Benjamin of Fuse described the song as "soul-stirring", noting "she sings about God's universal perspective: "People judge from what they see / But Lord, you see the whole heart / If we had your eyes / We'd see things right." Benjamin also wrote "The R&B track ends with a monologue: "God, if I had Your eyes... / I'd be more patient / God, help me to see things the way You see things / Did I already say help me be patient? / I'll say it again" and noted that it "sounds like a modern take on her first solo records, the gospel albums Heart to Yours and Do You Know."[9] According to Christine Thomasos of The Christian Post "Williams sings about two situations where things are not what they seem. The first verse speaks about her helping a person asking for spare change in a life changing moment, while the second verse highlights the life of a woman whose life seems perfect despite the fact that she is going through personal issues."[7]

Critical reception

Brad Stern of

Fantasia Barrino positively, writing "the two god-fearing divas make an excellent duo, feeding off each other in the now even-more-inspiring mid-tempo ballad", noting "the best thing about Michelle and Fantasia joining forces is that they both possess such distinctive voices". Wass also expressed, "it’s great to hear someone playing off the Destiny’s Child diva’s gravelly vocal runs and their vocal tug-of-war in the chorus is spine-chilling".[1]

Music video

On July 1, a lyric video was released for the single, described as "suitably righteous" for the "gospel-tinged soul ballad" by Mike Wass of

Idolator who also commented that "it’s a simple concept with a stylish, content-appropriate color scheme but the clip really excels when it emphasizes the song’s inspirational message". Wass also affectionately dubbed Williams the "new Queen of social media".[12] On July 30, 2013, Williams revealed on Instagram that shooting of the music video would commence on August 1, 2013.[13]
On September 3, 2013, a Derek Blanks-directed music video was premiered via YouTube and features appearances from the song's producer, Harmony Samuels and also former Destiny's Child member, LeToya Luckett.[6][14][15]

Described as "introspective", the video "conveys a powerful message" which revolves around three different stories of people who are being wrongly prejudged by others.

Idolator commented, the "slick set-ups of your typical hip-hop video are represented but there’s a much deeper message here". Elaborating Wass explained, "it’s sad that displays of love, empathy and kindness are usually restricted to religious music" but "Michelle expertly bridges that gap and looks fierce doing it."[19]

Track listing

"If We Had Your Eyes"  – Digital download[20]
No.TitleLength
1."If We Had Your Eyes"4:34
"If We Had Your Eyes"  – Digital download[21]
No.TitleLength
1."If We Had Your Eyes" (featuring Fantasia Barrino)4:34
"If We Had Your Eyes"  – US CD single (Walmart exclusive)[22]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."If We Had Your Eyes"  4:34
2."Fire"Harmony Samuels, Courtney HarrellHarmony Samuels4:31

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[23] 19
US Hot Gospel Songs (Billboard)[24] 22
US
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales (Billboard)[25]
 2
US
Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)[26]
 5

Release history

Country Date Format
Worldwide June 24, 2013 Digital download[20]
United States 2013 CD[27]

References

  1. ^
    Idolator
    . Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  2. ^ Latrell, Ryan (June 7, 2012). "BRAVE: Buzz! Michelle Williams plots return on all-new label (Details)". BRAVE Magazine. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  3. Billboard.com
    . Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  4. Idolator
    . Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  5. ^ "Michelle Williams Hits Her Stride, Solo". Michigan Avenue. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Michelle Williams Releases Video For 'If We Had Your Eyes'". RTT News. 9 September 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Thomasos, Christine (June 25, 2013). "Michelle Williams Releases New Gospel Music". The Christian Post. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  8. ^
    MTV Buzzworthy
    . Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  9. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (June 24, 2013). "Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams Sings to God in Soulful New Single". Fuse. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  10. Idolator
    . Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  11. ^ Ryan, Michelle (June 27, 2013). "TRACK: Michelle Williams 'If We Had Your Eyes'". Dropout UK. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  12. ^
    Idolator
    . Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  13. ^ Williams, Michelle (July 30, 2013). "EXCITED Y'ALL!". Instagram. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  14. ^ Williams, Michelle (September 3, 2013). ""If We Had Your Eyes" - Michelle Williams [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  15. ^ Imarenezor, Christine (September 3, 2013). "MUSIC VIDEO: MICHELLE WILLIAMS – "IF WE HAD YOUR EYES"". Concrete Loop. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  16. ^ "VIDEO: First Look – Michelle Williams' 'If We Had Your Eyes'". Broadway World. September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  17. ^ a b Fitzgerald, Trent (September 3, 2013). "Michelle Williams Sings Inspirational Message in 'If We Had Your Eyes' Video". thedrop.fm. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  18. ^ Joseph, Justin Dwayne (September 3, 2013). "Michelle Williams - "If We Had Your Eyes" [New Video]". Centric. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  19. ^
    Idolator
    . Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  20. ^ a b "If We Had Your Eyes – Single". iTunes. June 24, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  21. ^ "If We Had Your Eyes (feat. Fantasia) – Single by Michelle Williams on Apple Music". Apple Music. iTunes. November 5, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  22. ^ "Michelle Williams – If We Had Your Eyes (2013, CD) - Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  23. Billboard.com
    . Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  24. Billboard.com
    . Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  25. Billboard.com
    .
  26. Billboard.com
    .
  27. Amazon.com
    . Retrieved 7 November 2013.
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