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

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.   

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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.

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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.

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.

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Final Thoughts 💭 

“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.

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🎙 Patti LaBelle • 💿 I’m In Love Again • 🏷 Philadelphia International / Sony BMG • 🗓 1983
Patti LaBelle, “If Only You Knew”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 2 [📷: Brent Faulkner, cotton bro,  The Musical Hype, Philadelphia International, Sony BMG]

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