"Wish I Didn't Miss You" is a song by American recording artist Angie Stone. It was written and produced by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin for Stone's second studio album, Mahogany Soul (2001). The song features a sampled composition of the O'Jays's 1972 record "Back Stabbers" as written by Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, and John Whitehead.

"Wish I Didn't Miss You" became a hit in several countries, peaking at number seven in Australia and entering the top 20 in the Flanders region of Belgium and Romania. In the United States, the song's remixes topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. It was the last song played at Space nightclub in Ibiza before its initial closing, on October 3, 2016; it was played by Carl Cox.

Background "Wish I Didn't Miss You" was written by Andrea Martin and Ivan Matias. It contains elements of American R&B group the O'Jays's 1972 record "Back Stabbers" as written by Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, and John Whitehead. Due to the sample, Huff, McFadden and Whitehead are also credited as songwriters on "Wish I Didn't Miss You." When the Matias/Martin demo of the song was sent to Stone, she expressed dislike for it. With much of the recording sessions for her second album Mahogany Soul already finished, Stone did not feel the need to cut any additional songs. Though it would delay the album's release, J Records executive Clive Davis eventually persuaded her to record it. Stone, along with Swizz Beatz, later received co-producer credits on the record. Upon its breakthrough success, the singer grew to like "Wish I Didn't Miss You": "I have to close my every show with that record [and] I love the song now," she said in 2023.

Critical reception "Wish I Didn't Miss You" earned universal acclaim from music critics. In a review of parent album Mahogany Soul, Jose F. Promis from AllMusic noted that the album's "true gem is the smoldering, gorgeous, aching "Wish I Didn't Miss You," which pulls forward with an unstoppable beat and features a stellar, yearning performance from Miss Stone." Similarly, Barry Walters from Rolling Stone declared it the album's "knockout track." Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn commented on the song: "Built around a killer sample, [...] this tale of struggling to break free from the spell of an old relationship is as stylish and seductive as the best of '60s and '70s soul music that inspired it." The Washington Post wrote: "After hearing a tune as feverish as "Wish I Didn't Miss You," one could bet that Angie Stone knows a thing or two about sweltering summers [...] Sampling the sweaty rim shots and hazy guitar licks of the O'Jays classic "Back Stabbers" to marvelous effect, Stone's exquisite voice hits the track like cool rain on hot pavement as she dives into the lovelorn chorus." Spin magazine ranked the song among the 20 best singles of 2002 and wrote: "If Angie were skinny, Whitney would be unnecessary and Mary J. would be worried. Sad but true."

Accolades + Publication Accolade Editor Rank Billboard The 100 Greatest Songs of 2002 Staff 46 Billboard Top 10 Dance Club Songs Year-by-Year (2002) Staff 3 Spin Singles of the Year (2002) Staff 11

Chart performance Remixed by Hex Hector and Mac Quayle, "Wish I Didn't Miss You" became a successful club hit and gay anthem. The song's remixes topped the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

Track listings

US 12-inch single A1. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (long version) – 4:31 B1. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (instrumental) – 4:35 B2. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (a cappella) – 4:30

US 12-inch single (The Remixes) A1. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hex Hector / Mac Quayle club mix) – 9:54 A2. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hex Hector / Mac Quayle Vibe mix) – 7:55 B1. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg mix) – 7:51 B2. "Brotha" (Spen & Karizma club mix) – 7:40

UK CD single "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (album version) – 4:33 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hex Hector / Mac Quayle Mixshow) – 5:43 "Gotta Get to Know You Better" – 5:00 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (video) – 4:05

UK 12-inch single A1. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (album version) – 4:33 A2. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hex Hector / Mac Quayle Mixshow) – 5:43 B1. "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg mix) – 7:51

European CD single "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (album version) – 4:33 "Gotta Get to Know You Better" – 5:00

European maxi-CD single "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (album version) – 4:33 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (radio vibe mix) – 3:30 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg mix) – 7:51 "Gotta Get to Know You Better" – 5:00

Australian CD single "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hot mix radio) – 4:19 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hex Hector / Mac Quayle club mix) – 9:54 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Hex Hector / Mac Quayle vibe mix) – 7:55 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg mix) – 7:51 "Brotha" (Spen & Karizma club mix) – 7:40

Personnel Personnel are lifted from the liner notes of Mahogany Soul.

Ivan Matias – production, writing Andrea Martin – backing vocals, production, writing Leon Huff – writing (sample) Joe Kwimbee – bass, guitar Gene McFadden – writing (sample) Flip Osmond – engineering assistance Angie Stone – co-production, lead vocals John Whitehead – writing (sample) Swizz Beatz – co-production Tony Maserati – mixing engineer

Charts

Weekly charts + Chart (2002)PeakpositionAustralian Club Chart (ARIA)1Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)76Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)5Romania (Romanian Top 100)16

Year-end charts + Chart (2002)PositionAustralian Club Chart (ARIA)35Australian Dance (ARIA)17Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)67US Dance Club Play (Billboard)3US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)81

Certifications

Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesFebruary 25, 2002JAustraliaJune 3, 2002CDDenmarkJune 17, 2002SwedenUnited KingdomJuly 15, 2002

References

External links