If You Really Love Me
Stevie Wonder
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And if you really love me won't you tell me And if you really love me won't you tell me And if you really love me won't you tell me Then I won't have to be Playing around You call my name Ooh so sweet To make your kiss incomplete When your mood is clear You quickly change your ways Then you say I'm untrue What am I supposed to do Be a fool who sits alone waiting for you And if you really love me won't you tell me And if you really love me won't you tell me And if you really love me won't you tell me (yeah) Then I won't have to be Playing around I see the light of your smile Calling me all the while You are saying baby It's time to go First the feeling's alright Then it's gone from sight So I'm taking out this time to say And if you really love me won't you tell me And if you really love me won't you tell me And if you really love me won't you tell me, baby tell me Then I won't have to be Playing around Playing around Hey yeah Goofing around no Oh baby Playing around no Let me know how you feel baby Hey oh baby Playing around no
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Written by: Syreeta Wright, Stevie Wonder
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist HistoryStevie Wonder has been a prodigious talent since a young age, signing his first record deal at 11 years old. He's been a hit producer and singer for over 50 years.
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Song Release"If You Really Love Me" was released in 1971 as part of Stevie Wonder's album, "Where I'm Coming From."
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Album Background"Where I'm Coming From" was the last album Stevie Wonder made before he turned 21 and renegotiated his contract with Motown to give himself full creative control over his music. This album was the first hint of the direction he wanted to go in.
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Chart Performance"If You Really Love Me" performed well on the charts, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B chart. It was his ninth number one on the R&B chart.
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Song CompositionThe song was co-written by Stevie Wonder and his then-wife, Syreeta Wright. Wright also provided backing vocals on the track.
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Musical Style"If You Really Love Me" is known for its jazz-inflected melody and complex harmonies, indicative of the more sophisticated style Wonder would become known for over the 1970s.
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Song ThemeThe song is about the doubts and insecurities that can be present in a romantic relationship, echoing the marital problems that Wonder and Wright were going through at the time.
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Cover VersionsMany artists have covered "If You Really Love Me" throughout the years, in a testament to its timeless appeal. Versions by brass-rock band Lighthouse and smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz both charted in their respective genres.
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Critical ReceptionCritics have praised the song for its mature songwriting and production, unusual structure, and emotive performance by Wonder.
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Song Legacy"If You Really Love Me" is often cited as a turning point in Wonder's career, with the singer stepping out of the Motown 'hit factory' model and starting to assert his own artistic vision.
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Citation
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"If You Really Love Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1760251/Stevie+Wonder/If+You+Really+Love+Me>.
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