"If I Told You That" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston. It is the fifth track from her fourth studio album, My Love Is Your Love, which was released in November 1998 by Arista Records. A reworked duet version of the song with British singer George Michael was released on May 29, 2000, as the third single from Houston's first greatest hits album, Whitney: The Greatest Hits (2000). The remix was originally to feature Michael Jackson.[1] Commercially, "If I Told You That" peaked at number 1 in Iceland, Croatia and Poland, while peaking at nine on the UK Singles Chart.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "whatever magic might be found in this effort most certainly is going to come from the fine vocal performances. Houston scats and offers shout-outs that give 'If I Told You That' a spontaneity and energy [...], while Michael still stands tall as one of the finer soul men to step in front of the mike. This pairing is mightily inspired, and that in itself could turn this into a radio curiosity for pop and some R&B stations," adding that "the track's instrumental palette is definitely of the moment, with a driving shuffle beat and layered vocals that make this song more than a passing reminder of something you might expect from Jennifer Lopez. The hook is catchy enough, with a chorus that's simple and easy to sing along with."[2]J. D. Considine of The Baltimore Sun felt that "If I Told You That" is a song on which Houston is "faking attraction with George Michael".[3]LA Weekly in its review for Whitney: The Greatest Hits commented: "On paper, the Houston-Michael coupling is inspired: Together they symbolize two-thirds of the sex-drugs-and-rock-&-roll triptych. But Michael simply adds his pinched, nasal vocals to the track that was originally found on Houston’s album My Love Is Your Love, the result of which is two people singing at one another and daring the listener to care".[4]
The Baltimore Sun wrote: "when she sings in 'If I Told You That' about giving in to temptation and having a fling with a friend, we shouldn't suppose she's thinking of any friend in particular."[5]
Music video
The music video directed by Kevin Bray[6] features Houston and Michael in a nightclub, eventually meeting on the dance floor, similar to that of Mary J. Blige and Michael's UK hit "As". The US DVD single for Houston's song "Fine" includes the music video for "If I Told You That".[7] The video is also included on Michael's video compilation Twenty Five.
