If You Leave Me Now

"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung bybass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976.

It is also the title of a compilation album released by Columbia Records (Columbia 38590) in 1983.

The single topped the US charts on October 23, 1976, and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit for the group as well as hitting number one on the Easy Listening charts.[2]  It also reached number one in the UK on November 13, 1976, maintaining the position for three weeks.[3]

"If You Leave Me Now" was also Chicago's biggest hit worldwide, topping the charts in other countries such as Australia. It won Grammy Awards forBest Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. In addition, by August 1978 it had sold 1.4 million copies in the United States alone.[4]

The song had been featured in some several television series and movies such as Three Kings, Shaun of the Dead, A Lot Like Love, Sex and the Cityand the video game Grand Theft Auto V.

For the past several years Chicago has teamed with the American Cancer Society and offered the opportunity to bid on the chance to sing their hit, "If You Leave Me Now" with them on stage live at their concerts. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society to fight breast cancer.



Contents
[hide]  *1 Charts  ==Charts[ edit] == ==Certifications[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Cover versions<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.3636360168457px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13.63636302948px;">There have been over 100 versions of "If You Leave Me Now" recorded by artists throughout the world, among them:
 * 2 Certifications
 * 3 Cover versions
 * 3.1 Live cover performances
 * 3.2 Sampling
 * 4 See also
 * 5 References
 * 6 External links

===Live cover performances<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Sampling<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ===
 * Brotherhood of Man on their 1980 album Sing 20 Number One Hits
 * Elkie Brooks released a version of the song on her album Pearls in 1981.
 * Mina released a version of the song on her album Finalmente ho conosciuto il Conte Dracula in 1985.
 * Peter Cetera re-recorded the song as a solo artist for his 1997 album You're the Inspiration: A Collection.
 * Khalil Fong, a R&B singer based in Hong Kong, recorded a version on his second Mandarin album, This Love.
 * Isley Brothers on their 2001 album Eternal.
 * Danish popstar Christine Milton recorded an uptempo version for her debut album Friday in 2003.
 * Philippine bossa nova singer Sitti recorded a cover of this song for her second album My Bossa Nova.
 * Maggie Reilly on her 2002 album Save It For A Rainy Day.
 * John Barrowman on his 2007 album Another Side.
 * Suzy Bogguss on her 2007 album Sweet Danger.
 * Upside Down, a British boy band from 1996, charted at number 27
 * 3T, feat. T-Rio, 2005
 * Boyz II Men on their 2009 album Love
 * Egotrippi has released a Finnish version called "Jos Sä Lähdet Pois".
 * Jazz singer Laura Zakian on her 2014 album Songs For Modern Lovers
 * River Series ft. Alex Charles (vocals), 1995 maxi single containing 4 Eurodance remixes, released by the Dance Pool label.
 * Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire sang the song during their joint concerts with Chicago in 2004-2006. This version was included in the Love Songs album by Chicago.
 * A sample of the song is used by British electronica duo Lemon Jelly on the "Nice Weather For Ducks" B-side "Soft" (2003).