"If I Can't Have You" is a song by Canadian singer Shawn Mendes. It was released as the lead single (sixth overall) from the deluxe edition of Mendes' self-titled third studio album through Island Records on May 3, 2019. The music video was released the same day. "If I Can't Have You" has reached number one in Hungary and China, as well as the top five in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, Slovakia, and the United States.
Background Mendes told Zane Lowe on the Beats 1 radio show that out of the 45 songs he has written in the last six months, which are stylistically "all over the place" and have "different vibes", "If I Can't Have You" was "the one consistently every time I played for myself and for friends and family was giving people that smile".
Promotion Mendes announced the release through his social media on May 1. He shared a link to the promotional website canthaveyou.com, which redirects to his webstore and offers the single as a 7-inch vinyl, cassette and CD single, with each format available in three versions containing a unique voice memo from Mendes. He performed the song for the first time during Saturday Night Live on May 4, 2019.
Commercial performance "If I Can't Have You" debuted at number two on both the Canadian Hot 100 and the US Billboard Hot 100, behind "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X. It was Mendes' highest-charting hit in both countries at the time surpassing 2015's "Stitches", which peaked at number 4 in the US. "Señorita" became his highest-charting single later in the year.
Music video The music video was released on May 3, 2019, via the singer's official Vevo channel on YouTube. A lyric video was also released on May 6, 2019.
Track listing
Each version of the 7-inch, cassette and CD single contains one of three voice memos from Mendes.
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from Tidal.
Shawn Mendes – vocals, songwriter, producer, programmer, guitar Teddy Geiger – songwriter, producer, drums, guitar, keyboards, programmer Scott Harris – songwriter, additional producer, guitar Nate Mercereau – songwriter, additional producer, guitar, bass guitar, piano Ojivolta – songwriter, additional producer Ray 'August Grant' Jacobs – backing vocals Raul Cubina – drums, percussion, programmer Ryan Svendsen – trumpet, flugelhorn Mark Williams – guitar, keyboards, programmer Zubin Thakkar – engineer, studio personnel George Seara – mixer, recording engineer, studio personnel Mike Gnocato – assistant mixer, studio personnel
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2019) Peakposition Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) 91 Bolivia (Monitor Latino) 8 China Airplay/FL (Billboard) 1 Colombia (National-Report) 94 Croatia (HRT) 2 Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40) 6 Greece (IFPI) 4 Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40) 13 Iceland (Tónlistinn) 13 Japan (Japan Hot 100) 27 Latvia (LAIPA) 5 Lithuania (AGATA) 4 Malaysia (RIM) 5 Mexico Airplay (Billboard) 12 Puerto Rico (Monitor Latino) 18 Romania (Airplay 100) 80 Singapore (RIAS) 9 Slovenia (SloTop50) 9 South Korea (Gaon) 110 US Rolling Stone Top 100 3
Year-end charts Chart (2019) Position Australia (ARIA) 37 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 68 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 41 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) 90 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 21 Denmark (Tracklisten) 47 Hungary (Single Top 40) 48 Latvia (LAIPA) 48 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 46 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 53 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 46 Poland (ZPAV) 83 Portugal (AFP) 95 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 96 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 92Tokyo (Tokio Hot 100) 20 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 83 US Billboard Hot 100 29 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 25 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 10 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard) 21 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 17 US Rolling Stone Top 100 71
Certifications
Release history Region Date Format Label Various May 3, 2019 Island United States May 7, 2019 Contemporary hit radio
References