Patti LaBelle, “If Only You Knew” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

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On the 2^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “If Only You Knew” by legendary R&B artist, Patti LaBelle.

he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. The records that grace Throwback Vibez are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils

! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 2^nd edition of Throwback Vibez

(2022), we recollect and reflect on

“If Only You Knew”, performed by legendary R&B artist,

Patti LaBelle.

Theme & Lyrics

“I must have rehearsed my lines / A thousand times / Until I had them memorized.” Ah, those famous opening lyrics hail from Patti LaBelle, specifically, one of her biggest, most renowned hits, “If Only You Knew.” “If Only You Knew” appears on her 1983, gold-certified album, I’m In Love Again. This ultra-smooth soul cut, amazingly, was merely a moderate hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 46 – #TRAVESTY! Of course, “If Only You Knew” performed better on the R&B charts.

i wuv u So, why was Patti LaBelle rehearsing lines? Well, she needed to tell him her true feelings. Basically, it took her a while to “get up the nerve / To tell you the words.” Those words are, of course, finding LaBelle revealing her love. The classic chorus says it best:

“If only you knew

How much I do

Do love you

If only you know

How much I do

I do need you.”

Of course, LaBelle sings brilliantly, showing poise early on and ‘letting her rip’ as the record progresses.

Final Thoughts

Bitmoji Image “If Only You Knew” was tailor-made for Patti LaBelle, period. Penned by the talented team of Cynthia Biggs, Dexter Wansel, and Kenneth Gamble, it’s incredibly well written. LaBelle takes this love-driven gem and runs with it, NO CAP.