| "If Your Girl Only Knew" | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Single by Aaliyah | ||||||||||||||||||||
| from the album One in a Million | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Released | August 13, 1996 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Format | CD single, 12-inch single, cassette single | |||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded | 1996[1] Pyramid Studios (Ithaca, New York) |
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| Genre | R&B, dance-pop, hip hop soul, synthpop | |||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 4:50 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Label | Blackground/Atlantic | |||||||||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Missy Elliott, Timbaland | |||||||||||||||||||
| Producer | Timbaland | |||||||||||||||||||
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"If Your Girl Only Knew" is a R&B/dance-pop song written by Missy Elliott and Timbaland for Aaliyah's second studio album, One in a Million (1996). It also was produced by Timbaland, and released as the album's lead single during the third quarter of 1996 (see 1996 in music). The song was re-released in 1998 as a limited edition double A-side single with the single, "One in a Million". Notably, "If Your Girl Only Knew" was one of the earliest songs that showcased the production talent of Timbaland.
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Released as the album's lead single in August 1996, it peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending October 19, 1996[2], becoming her third single to reach the top 20. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for two weeks. "If Your Girl Only Knew" was also a hit in the UK, peaking in the top thirty of the UK Singles Chart at number 21 when it was originally released by itself. It was re-issued with "One in a Million" as a double A-side and reached a new peak position of number 15. "If Your Girl Only Knew" was also a hit in many other countries.
In the video, Aaliyah, her brother, and clique appears at a party. She wears a dark leather outfit with her trademark sunglasses and bandana. Scenes include Aaliyah sitting in a futuristic chair, at a party, (the party scene is shot in black-and-white, but Aaliyah remains in colour) Aaliyah and various others in an elevator, and also a close up of Aaliyahs face. Colour editing is used on her eyes here, and they change colour towards the end of the video. Cameos include Missy Elliott, Timbaland, 702, Lil' Kim, Ginuwine, and her brother Rashad. The video was directed by Joseph Kahn.
Master P interpolated If Your Girl Only Knew on the song "Ghetto Prayer" off his album Only God Can Judge Me.
U.S. CD single:
U.S. cassette single:
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Tokio Hot 100[3] | 1 |
| Sweden Top 60 Singles[4] | 49 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart | 20 |
| UK Top 75 Singles[3] | 21 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 11 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[5] | 1 |
| US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40[5] | 1 |
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[6] | 69 |
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
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| UK Top 75 Singles[3] | 15 |
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