If You Can Want
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| "If You Can Want" | ||||
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Smokey Robinson & the Miracles singles chronology | ||||
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"If You Can Want" is a 1968 single recorded by R&B group
The song's lyrics portray the narrator as a man in love with a woman who only views him as a casual friend. However, the narrator hopes that the woman will eventually come to appreciate his affections: If you can want, you can need, if you can need, you can care, if you can care, you can love; so if you want me, I'll be there.
A variation of the last line was used in the chorus portion of the Spinners song "I'll Be Around" (1972).
"If You Can Want" was the group's only major hit in 1968, and was performed by the Miracles on their 1st appearance on
The B-side, "When The Words From Your Heart Get Caught Up In Your Throat", was never released on a Miracles album and was only issued on CD in 1994, on The 35th Anniversary Collection.
Personnel Credits:The Miracles
- Lead vocals by Smokey Robinson
- Background vocals by Claudette Rogers Robinson, Pete Moore, Ronnie White, and Bobby Rogers.
- Guitar by Marv Tarplin
Other instruments
Cover versions
The Miracles' original hit recording of "If You Can Want" has inspired cover versions by the following artists:
- Barbara McNair
- The Dirtbombs
- Chazz Dixon
External links
References
- ^ The Complete Motown Singles Vol 8: 1968 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 24, 1968. p. 26. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Record World. February 24, 1968. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
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