If You Want Love

"If You Want Love"
Single by NF
from the album Perception
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2019
Length3:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • NF
  • Profitt
NF singles chronology
"Why"
(2018)
"If You Want Love"
(2019)
"The Search"
(2019)
Music video
"If You Want Love" on YouTube

"If You Want Love" is a song by American rapper NF from his third studio album Perception (2017). It was written and produced by NF himself and Tommee Profitt. The song was released to mainstream radio on January 22, 2019 as the fifth single from the album.[1]

Content

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The message of the song is that those who seek love should be emotionally invested in their lover: "If you want love, you gon' have to go through the pain / if you want love, you gon' have to learn how to change / if you want trust, you gon' have to give some away".[2][3] NF also notes how life quickly goes by.[4]

Critical reception

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Reviewing Perception for Jesus Freak Hideout, David Croft wrote: "'If You Want Love' is easily the second-best track on the album. Its honest, insightful lyrics can resonate with all listeners".[3]

Music video

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An official music video was released on December 7, 2018. It starts with a woman giving birth in a hospital and follows the couple raising the child, including her first steps, play time and her first date as a teenager. Eventually, she grows into an adult and marries.[4]

Charts

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Chart performance for "If You Want Love"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[5] 39

Certifications

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Certifications for "If You Want Love"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[6] 2× Platinum 140,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[7] Gold 30,000
Canada (Music Canada)[8] 3× Platinum 240,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[9] Gold 45,000
Portugal (AFP)[10] Gold 5,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[12] 3× Platinum 3,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases – Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Jost, Matt (March 6, 2018). "NF :: Perception". RapReviews. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Craft, David (October 14, 2017). "NF – 'Perception' album review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Lenniger, Shea (December 7, 2018). "NF's 'If You Want Love' Video Will Make You Tear Up: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "NF Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – NF – If You Want Love" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Canadian single certifications – NF – If You Want Love". Music Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "Danish single certifications – NF – If You Want Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – NF – If You Want Love" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "British single certifications – NF – If You Want Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  12. ^ "American single certifications – NF – If You Want Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 9, 2024.