"If I Ever Fall in Love" is a song by American R&B-soul quartet Shai. It was released as their debut single in September 1992 from their debut album, ...If I Ever Fall in Love (1992). The song, both written and produced by Carl "Groove" Martin, reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1992 and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. It spent eight weeks at number two on the Hot 100, which at the time was the second-most number of weeks that a song held the position without topping the chart, behind Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You". The song was also their only top-40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 36.

Critical reception Paul Lester from Melody Maker declared "If I Ever Fall in Love" as "a kind of doo wop teen-love weepathon" in the mould of Boyz II Men's "End of the Road".

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1992–1993)PeakpositionCanada Retail Singles (The Record) 10Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 80European Hit Radio (Music & Media) 22Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 12UK Dance (Music Week) 37

Year-end charts Chart (1993)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 41Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 69Netherlands (Single Top 100) 67New Zealand (RIANZ) 34US Billboard Hot 100 7US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 5US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 49

Decade-end charts Chart (1990–1999)Position US Billboard Hot 100 66

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesSeptember 23, 1992Gasoline AlleyAustraliaDecember 14, 1992JapanDecember 23, 1992Mini-CD

East 17 and Gabrielle version

"If I Ever Fall in Love" was covered in 1996 as a duet between British boy band East 17 and singer-songwriter Gabrielle, completed with a backing track. Renamed "If You Ever" and released by London Records, the cover peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and also peaked within the top 10 of the charts in Ireland and Sweden. The song received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry in September 2019 for sales and streams exceeding 600,000.

The song was the first single from East 17's first Greatest Hits compilation, Around the World Hit Singles: The Journey So Far (1996), and was also the fourth single from Gabrielle's second self-titled album (1996). It was the highest-charting single from both aforementioned albums.

Critical reception Kristy Barker from Melody Maker complimented "If You Ever" as "gorgeous" and "lovely". Kevin Courtney from Irish Times wrote, "The Walthamstow wideboys and the pirate patched soul queen team up for this fairly run of the mill ballad [...]. At least it's a more appropriate pairing than Lulu and Take That [on "Relight My Fire"]. On the sleeve art, the numeral 17 has been replaced by the spelled out version, perhaps a sign that the Easties are making a subtle bid for a more "mature" audience. Why not go all the way and change their name to East Thirtysomething?"Courtney, Kevin (October 25, 1996). "Bohemian Rapping Fandango". Irish Times.

Track listings UK CD1 and Japanese CD single "If You Ever" (Smoove 7-inch mix) "If You Ever" (Ruff mix) "Deep" (live at Wembley Arena, 28 May 1995) "Steam" (live)

UK CD2 "If You Ever" (Smoove 7-inch mix) "Stay Another Day" (live) "Around the World" (live) "It's Alright" (live)

UK cassette single and European CD single "If You Ever" (Smoove 7-inch mix) "If You Ever" (Simple Simon's Pieman remix)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997)PeakpositionEstonia (Eesti Top 20) 3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 15Europe (European AC Radio) 11Europe (European Hit Radio) 3Europe (Channel Crossovers) 4France Airplay (SNEP) 16 Airplay (Music & Media) 7Greece (IFPI Greece) 3Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 30Israel (IBA) 7Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 20Japan International (Oricon)24Latvia (Latvijas Top 20) 4Lithuania (M-1) 4 Airplay (Music & Media) 11Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio) 37UK Airplay (Music Week) 1

Year-end charts Chart (1996)PositionIsrael (IBA) Scroll to top of the page and click "Annual" then "1996 Year End Chart". 27Latvia (Latvijas Top 50) 72Sweden (Topplistan) 28UK Singles (OCC) 18UK Airplay (Music Week) 31

Chart (1997)PositionRomania (Romanian Top 100) 68

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United KingdomOctober 21, 1996LondonJapanNovember 25, 1996CD

References

External links Shai"If I Ever Fall in Love" on Vevo Gabrielle"If You Ever" (with East 17) on YouTube