If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time"
"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time"
Single by R. Kelly
from the album R.
Released	July 27, 1999
Length	6:17 (album and single version); 4:56 (radio edit);
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Robert Kelly
Producer(s)	R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology

"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 debut album Music Is My Savior on the track "I Did You Wrong".

Live performances

Kelly did not perform this song very often, he performed this song for the first time on live television when he was in England on the show Top of the Pops. He seemed to perform this song more when he does a show in Europe than in the US, reason for that is that this song was highly successful there.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	65
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	1
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	7
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)	45
Czech Republic (IFPI)	15
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	1
France (SNEP)	2
Germany (Official German Charts)	2
Ireland (IRMA)	2
Italy (FIMI)	20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	39
Norway (VG-lista)	9
Scotland (OCC)	4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	1
UK Singles (OCC)	2
UK Indie (OCC)	1
US Billboard Hot 100	12
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	24
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	5
US Rhythmic (Billboard)	27

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	18
Germany (Official German Charts)	40
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	77
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	40
UK Singles (OCC)	17
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)	64

Chart (2000)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	19
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	41
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	28
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	8
France (SNEP)	12
Germany (Official German Charts)	29
Ireland (IRMA)	83
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	93
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	42
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	9

Decade-end charts

Chart (1990–1999)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	8

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)	Gold	25,000^*
Belgium (BEA)	3× Platinum	150,000^*
France (SNEP)	Gold	250,000^*
Germany (BVMI)	Platinum	500,000^{^}
Netherlands (NVPI)	Platinum	75,000^{^}
Sweden (GLF)	Platinum	30,000^{^}
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)	Gold	25,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)	Platinum	660,000
United States (RIAA)	Gold	500,000
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	July 27, 1999	Rhythmic contemporary contemporary hit radio	Jive
	August 3, 1999	Urban AC urban radio
	August 9, 1999	Adult contemporary radio
	September 21, 1999	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette
United Kingdom	October 18, 1999	12-inch vinyl CD cassette