"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" is a song by American singer R. Kelly, released as the fifth single from his third album, R. (1998). The song is a ballad about a man wishing he could go back in time and repair his relationship with his girlfriend. The song peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a top-10 hit across Europe, peaking at number one in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Success and legacy The song has sold 660,000 copies in the United Kingdom and is one of R. Kelly's biggest international hits, In Belgium, the song peaked at number one in both Flanders and Wallonia and is certified triple platinum for selling over 150,000 copies. The song was certified gold in the United States in October 2001.
The song has been covered by several musicians, including Ed Sheeran and talent show contestants. Rapper Mims sampled the song for his 2007 debut album Music Is My Savior on the track "I Did You Wrong".
Live performances Kelly did not perform this song very often. His first live performance was on the UK television show Top of the Pops.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts Chart (1999)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)65Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)7Czech Republic (IFPI)15Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)1
Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)3Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)10Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)18Germany (Media Control)40Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)17Netherlands (Single Top 100)6Sweden (Hitlistan)77Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)40UK Singles (OCC)17US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)64
Chart (2000)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)19Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)41Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)28Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)8France (SNEP)12Germany (Media Control)29Ireland (IRMA)83Netherlands (Single Top 100)93Sweden (Hitlistan)42Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)9
Decade-end charts Chart (1990–1999)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)8
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJuly 27, 1999JiveAugust 3, 1999August 9, 1999Adult contemporary radioSeptember 21, 1999United KingdomOctober 18, 1999
References