If Only (KT Tunstall song)

"If Only" is an alternative rock song performed by Scottish singer KT Tunstall. The song was written by Tunstall and Jimmy Hogarth for Tunstall's second album Drastic Fantastic (2007). It was released as the album's third single in the United Kingdom on 3 March 2008.[1] "If Only" reached No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

"If Only"
Single by KT Tunstall
from the album Drastic Fantastic
B-side
Released3 March 2008 (2008-03-03)
GenreAlternative rock, pop rock
Length3:46
LabelRelentless, Virgin
Songwriter(s)KT Tunstall, Jimmy Hogarth
Producer(s)Steve Osborne
KT Tunstall UK singles chronology
"Saving My Face"
(2007)		 "If Only"
(2008)		 "(Still a) Weirdo"
(2010)
KT Tunstall US singles chronology
"Saving My Face"
(2007)		 "If Only"
(2008)		 "Fade Like a Shadow"
(2010)

History

"If Only" first appeared as a track on Tunstall's second unreleased demo album, Toons March '03. The demo version of "If Only" is markedly different from the version found on Drastic Fantastic, with a mellower sound and slightly slower tempo and Tunstall having a slightly higher tone to her voice. For a period of time, prior to the release of Eye to the Telescope, the demo versions of "If Only" and "Other Side of the World" were available for download free of charge on Tunstall's website.

"If Only" is reportedly one of KT Tunstall's favourite songs on Drastic Fantastic.[3]

Music video

The music video for "If Only" was directed by James Caddick and filmed at the Olympic Ski Jumping Hill (Lysgårdsbakken) in Lillehammer, Norway.[4] The video features Tunstall as a ski jumper who fails to complete an important jump. The video concludes with an injured Tunstall bleeding from the nose being helped up, smiling to the camera.

Critical reception

"If Only" has received mixed reviews from music critics. Reviewers for Channel 4 praised the song for its "chirpy chorus and beaming harmonies" and gave it eight stars out of ten.[5] Christopher Hammer of AllGigs.co.uk gave it three stars out of five, calling it an "[almost] perfect song for a lazy Sunday afternoon drive".[6] Sarah Walters of the Manchester Evening News was less impressed, viewing the song's "chart-ready pop" sound and "bah-bah-bah backing vocals" as a step backwards from her earlier hits such as "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree", and gave it two stars out of five.[7] It was chosen as an album highlight by Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine.[8]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of single releases of "If Only".

UK CD single
(Released 3 March 2008 (2008-03-03))

  1. "If Only"
  2. "Walk Like an Egyptian" (Live in Liverpool)

7" vinyl single
(Released 3 March 2008)

  1. "If Only"
  2. "The Prayer" (Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Digital download
(Released 3 March 2008 (2008-03-03))

  1. "If Only"
  2. "Walk Like an Egyptian" (Live in Liverpool)

Promo CD

  1. "If Only" (Radio Edit) 3:30
  2. "If Only" 3:46
  3. "If Only" (Instrumental) 3:46

Charts
Chart (2008) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 45[2]
Ukrainian charts 12[2]

Notes
  1. The Evening Standard, "KT Tunstall - My London".
  2. "The Official Charts Company - KT Tunstall - If Only". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  3. NPR: KT Tunstall Performs Live on the BPP. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  4. Nyhagen, Alexander. "Se premieren på KT Tunstalls «norske» video". VG Nett. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
  5. Channel 4 "If Only" single review. Retrieved on 4 April 2008.
  6. Hammer, Christopher. . Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  7. Walters, Sarah. . Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  8. . Retrieved on 4 August 2012.
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