“If It's Over” is a song written by American singer-songwriters Mariah Carey and Carole King, with the former and Walter Afanasieff helming its production. It was originally released on September 17, 1991, on Carey's second studio album, Emotions. Lyrically, the song tells of a romance that has withered, and finds the protagonist asking her lover, “if it's over, let me go”. Several months after the release of Emotions, Carey performed the song during her appearance on the television show MTV Unplugged.
Following the release of the MTV Unplugged EP, the song's live version was used as the second single released from the EP in late 1992. The live single version omits the second verse and chorus, as the songs were shortened for the show. It received a very limited release, being featured as an airplay only single in certain territories. Its only peak was in the Netherlands, where it reached number eighty. Carey performed “If It's Over” live during the 34th annual Grammy Awards and on Saturday Night Live.
Background and recording
During promotion for Carey's self-titled debut album (1990), she appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show to perform her first single, "Vision of Love". During the very much talked about performance, singer-songwriter Carole King had been watching Carey perform, taking interest in her and her material. One year later, during the recording sessions for Carey's second studio album, Emotions (1991), King contacted Carey, asking if she would be interested in covering "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", a song she had written alongside Gerry Goffin for Aretha Franklin. The song was written by Carey and Carole King, with both helming the song's production as well. Instrumentally, "If It's Over" features several musical melodies including baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophone notes, as well as the piano, trumpet, horn and bass.
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Live performances
Carey performed "If It's Over" on the 17th season of Saturday Night Live, alongside "Can't Let Go". During the performance, Carey appeared on stage wearing a black leather sports jacket, as well as matching black pants and boots. Walter Afanasieff played the piano, while Trey Lorenz, Patrique McMillan and Melonie Daniels provided the live background vocals. In Japan it was issued as a mini CD on December 21, 1992. Following its release, promotion for Carey's second studio effort Emotions was halted. AllMusic's Ashley S. Battel wrote "it will take you on a musical journey," while describing the song's vocals and instrumentation. Jan DeKnock from The Chicago Tribune compared it to "the style of the great soul ballads of the `60s." People Magazine stated that the singer "does bank her pyrotechnics" for the "sultry" song. Rob Tannenbaum from Rolling Stone gave it a mixed review, comparing it to the work of Aretha Franklin, but said it "translates into such excesses as the falsetto whoops." The song only managed to chart at number 80 in the Netherlands, lasting five weeks in the chart.
Track listing
Netherlands/European CD single
- "If It's Over" (Live) – 3:47
- "If It's Over" – 4:38
European CD maxi-single
- "If It's Over" (Live) – 3:47
- "If It's Over" – 4:38
- "Someday" (New 12" jackswing) – 4:13
Japanese CD single
- "If It's Over" (Live) – 3:47
- "Emotions" – 3:59
Credits and personnel
;Recording
- Recorded and mixed at Right Track Recording, NYC.
;Personnel
- Lyrics – Mariah Carey
- Music – Mariah Carey, Carole King
- Production – Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff
- Recording and mixing – Dana Jon Chappelle
- Keyboards and Synthesizers, Hammond B-6 Organ, Synclavier Strings and Tambourine – Walter Afanasieff
- Guitar – Cornell Dupree
- Bass – Will Lee
- Trumpet – Earl Gardner
- Trombone – Keith O'Quinn
- Tenor Saxophones – George Young, Larry Feldman
- Baritone Saxophone – Lewis Delgatto
- Drums – Steve Smith
- Akai Programming – Ren Klyce
- Macintosh programming – Gary Cirmelli
- Assistant engineer – Bruce Calder
- Vocal arrangement – Mariah Carey
- Background vocals – Mariah Carey, Trey Lorenz, Patrique McMillan, Cindy Mizelle
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Emotions.
Charts
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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!Chart (1992)
!Peak <br />position
|-
|align="left"|Australia (ARIA)
|align="center"|115
|-
|-
|}