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If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

{{Short description|1999 single by R. Kelly}}

{{Distinguish|If I Could Turn Back Time|Turn Back the Hands of Time}}

{{More citations needed|date=September 2016}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Infobox song

| name = If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

| cover = IF I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = R. Kelly

| album = R.

| released = {{start date|1999|7|27}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

  • 6:17 (album and single version)
  • 4:56 (radio edit)

| label = Jive

| writer = Robert Kelly

| producer = R. Kelly

| prev_title = Did You Ever Think

| prev_year = 1999

| next_title = Satisfy You

| next_year = 1999

}}

"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" is a song by American singer R. Kelly, released as the fifth single from his third album, R. (1998).{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1004910&style=music|title=R Kelly - R. CD}} The song is a ballad about a man wishing he could go back in time and repair his relationship with his girlfriend.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} The song peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a top-10 hit across Europe, peaking at number one in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Success and legacy

The song has sold 660,000 copies in the United Kingdom and is one of R. Kelly's biggest international hits, In Belgium, the song peaked at number one in both Flanders and Wallonia and is certified triple platinum for selling over 150,000 copies. The song was certified gold in the United States in October 2001.

The song has been covered by several musicians, including Ed Sheeran and talent show contestants.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA_TP4UbHvA|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/xA_TP4UbHvA|archive-date=December 21, 2021|url-status=live|title=Ed Sheeran - If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time (R.Kelly Cover)|date=July 13, 2013|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Rapper Mims sampled the song for his 2007 debut album Music Is My Savior on the track "I Did You Wrong".{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/11755/Mims-I-Did-You-Wrong-R.-Kelly-If-I-Could-Turn-Back-the-Hands-of-Time/|title=Mims's I Did You Wrong sample of R. Kelly's If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time - WhoSampled|work=WhoSampled}}{{unreliable source?|date=January 2022}}

Live performances

Kelly did not perform this song very often. His first live performance was on the UK television show Top of the Pops.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qs_wNCYWGs|title=R. Kelly- If i could turn back the hands of time live at top of the pops|date=September 12, 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}

Charts and certifications

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1999)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite Ryan|page=152}}

|65

{{single chart|Austria|2|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|1|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/r-kelly/chart-history/cns/|title=R. Kelly Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 7, 2021}}

|7

{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|45|chartid=7285|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2021}}
scope="row"|Czech Republic (IFPI){{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm|title=Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden|publisher=IFPI ČR|language=cs|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303224417/http://www.ifpicr.cz:80/radio.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2000|access-date=April 4, 2022}}

|15

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=49|page=11|date=December 4, 1999}}

|1

{{single chart|France|2|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Germany|2|songid=4037|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|2|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Italy|20|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|year=1999|week=43|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|39|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Norway|9|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Scotland|4|date=19991030|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Sweden|3|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|1|artist=R. Kelly|song=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|2|date=19991106|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UKindie|1|date=19991030|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|1|date=19991030|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2024}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|12|artist=R. Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|24|artist=R. Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|5|artist=R. Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|27|artist=R. Kelly|rowheader=true|access-date=November 7, 2021}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1999)

!Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1999|title=Jaaroverzichten 1999|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|3

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1999|title=Rapports Annuels 1999|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|10

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title=Year in Focus: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999|magazine=Music & Media|volume=17|issue=1|page=11|date=January 1, 2000}}

|18

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1999|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1999|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=November 7, 2021}}

|40

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1999|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|17

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1999&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|6

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1999&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1999|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|77

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1999|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 1999|language=de|access-date=November 7, 2021}}

|40

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=January 22, 2000}}

|17

scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213235823/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs/|archive-date=February 13, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 4, 2022}}

|64

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2000)

!Position

scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2000|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 2000|website=austriancharts.at|language=de|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|19

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2000|title=Jaaroverzichten 2000|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|41

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2000|title=Rapports Annuels 2000|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|28

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title=Year in Focus: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000|magazine=Music & Media|volume=17|issue=52|page=9|date=December 23, 2000}}

|8

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite magazine|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=2000|title=Tops de l'année Top Singles: 2000|website=SNEP Musique|language=fr|access-date=May 4, 2022}}

|12

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2000|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2000|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=November 7, 2021}}

|29

scope="row"|Ireland (IRMA){{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/2fm/charts/top100_2000.html|title=Top 100 of 2000|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040602112628/http://www.rte.ie/2fm/charts/top100_2000.html|archive-date=June 2, 2004|access-date=March 16, 2022}}

|83

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2000&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|93

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2000&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 2000|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=January 21, 2020}}

|42

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2000|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 2000|language=de|access-date=November 22, 2017}}

|9

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1990–1999)

!Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/ultratop_nineties_500.asp?page=1|title=Ultratop Nineties 500: 1–50|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145841/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/ultratop_nineties_500.asp?page=1|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=May 4, 2022}}

|8

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Kelly R.|title=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2000|relyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=R Kelly|title=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2001}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=R. Kelly|title=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|relmonth=10}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=R Kelly|title=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|access-date=February 21, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2000|relyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=R. Kelly|title=If I Could Turn Back the Time|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=R Kelly|title=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|certyear=2000|id=3194-2770-1|salesamount=660,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/number-1-today-in-1999-robbie-williams-shes-the-one__7088/|title=Number 1 today in 1999: Robbie Williams – She's the One|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=November 14, 2014|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=December 6, 2015}}|access-date=November 7, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=R. Kelly|title=If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=2001|salesamount=500,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63|title=Best-Selling Records of 1999|magazine=Billboard|volume=112|number=4|page=63|date=January 22, 2000|access-date=June 4, 2015|issn=0006-2510}}|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="4"|United States

|July 27, 1999

|{{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|contemporary hit radio}}

|rowspan="5"|Jive

|{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1309|pages=92, 100|date=July 23, 1999}}

August 3, 1999

|{{hlist|Urban AC|urban radio}}

|{{cite magazine|title=AddVance Notice / Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1310|pages=66, 71|date=July 30, 1999}}

August 9, 1999

|Adult contemporary radio

|{{cite magazine|title=AC: Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1311|page=82|date=August 6, 1999}}

September 21, 1999

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|October 18, 1999

|{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 18 October, 1999: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=October 16, 1999}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{R. Kelly singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:R. Kelly songs

Category:1990s ballads

Category:1997 songs

Category:1999 singles

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by F. Gary Gray

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Song recordings produced by R. Kelly

Category:Songs written by R. Kelly

Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Wallonia) number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles