When I Die (No Mercy song)

"When I Die" is a song originally released by The Real Milli Vanilli on their 1991 album The Moment of Truth, and later by Try 'N' B on their 1992 debut album. The song achieved more exposure when German eurodance group No Mercy covered it for their 1996 debut album My Promise. The song was released as the third single from the album in November 1996 and reached number one in Austria and the Netherlands, number two in Australia, number three in Switzerland, and number five in Germany and Spain.

"When I Die"
Single by No Mercy
from the album No Mercy/My Promise
B-side	"For Eternity"
Released	November 18, 1996
Length	4:28
Label	Hansa Records
Songwriter(s)	Frank Farian Peter Bischof-Fallenstein Diane Warren Dietmar Kawohl
Producer(s)	Frank Farian
No Mercy singles chronology
"Where Do You Go" (1996) "When I Die" (1996) "Please Don't Go" (1997)

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "With this lovely and instantly memorable pop ballad, Arista aims to cement the future of this charming male vocal trio as more than merely a flash in the disco pan. It's a realistic goal, given the strength of their performance here—it's warmly soulful and technically far more flexible than what the act has displayed on its previous dance hits. In a sea of jeep-styled sound-alike slow jams, this Latin-flavored gem should stand out quite nicely with its plush keyboards and delicate acoustic guitar lines. Not to be missed."[1] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "Proving they're also adept when it comes to tackling a ballad, this Miami trio slows it down and blends some sweet harmony into a pretty melody."[2]

Track listings

CD single

1. "When I Die" (Radio) – 4:28
2. "For Eternity" (Manumission Club Mix) – 5:56

European CD maxi

1. "When I Die" (Radio Edit) – 4:28
2. "When I Die" (Extended) – 6:16
3. "For Eternity" (Manumission Club Mix) – 5:56
4. "When I Die" (Unplugged) – 4:12
5. "Message Of Love" – 3:08

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[3] 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 27 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[7] 53 Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] 1 Spain (AFYVE)[11] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 41 US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[14] 14 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[15] 37 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[16] 21

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Australia (ARIA)[17] 30 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 35 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[20] 26 Germany (Official German Charts)[21] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 17 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[24] 21 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 12

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[26]	Platinum	70,000^^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[27]	Platinum	50,000^*
Germany (BVMI)[28]	Gold	250,000^^
Netherlands (NVPI)[29]	Platinum	75,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
2. Sholin, Dave (April 25, 1997). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 2152. p. 54. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
3. "Australian-charts.com – No Mercy – When I Die". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
4. "Austriancharts.at – No Mercy – When I Die" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
5. "Ultratop.be – No Mercy – When I Die" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
6. "Ultratop.be – No Mercy – When I Die" (in French). Ultratop 50.
7. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3239." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
8. "Offiziellecharts.de – No Mercy – When I Die". GfK Entertainment Charts.
9. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 3 October 2018.
10. "Dutchcharts.nl – No Mercy – When I Die" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
11. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
12. "Swisscharts.com – No Mercy – When I Die". Swiss Singles Chart.
13. "No Mercy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
14. "No Mercy Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
15. "No Mercy Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
16. "No Mercy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
17. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 1997". ARIA. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
18. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1997" (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2018.
19. "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
20. "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
21. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
22. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
23. "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
24. "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1997". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 September 2005.
25. "Swiss Year-End Charts 1997" (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2018.
26. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
27. "Austrian single certifications – No Mercy – When I Die" (in German). IFPI Austria.
28. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (No Mercy; 'When I Die')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
29. "Dutch single certifications – No Mercy – When I Die" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter When I Die in the "Artiest of titel" box.