If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

Not to be confused with If I Could Turn Back Time or Turn Back the Hands of Time.

"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).^[1] The song is a ballad about a man wishing he could go back in time and repair his relationship with his girlfriend.^{[citation needed]} 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.

"If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time"
Single by R. Kelly
from the album R.
Released	July 27, 1999 (1999-07-27)
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
"Did You Ever Think" (1999) "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (1999) "Satisfy You" (1999)

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.^[2]

The song has been covered by several musicians, including Ed Sheeran and talent show contestants.^[3] Rapper Mims sampled the song for his 2007 debut album Music Is My Savior on the track "I Did You Wrong".^{[4][unreliable source?]}

Live performances

Kelly did not perform this song very often. His first live performance was on the UK television show Top of the Pops.^[5]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[6] 65 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[7] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[9] 1 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[10] 7 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 45 Czech Republic (IFPI)[12] 15 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 1 France (SNEP)[14] 2 Germany (GfK)[15] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[16] 2 Italy (FIMI)[17] 20 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 39 Norway (VG-lista)[21] 9 Scotland (OCC)[22] 4 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[23] 3 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[24] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[25] 2 UK Indie (OCC)[26] 1 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[27] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[28] 12 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[29] 24 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] 5 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[31] 27

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[33] 10 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[34] 18 Germany (Media Control)[35] 40 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 17 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 6 Sweden (Hitlistan)[38] 77 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 40 UK Singles (OCC)[40] 17 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[41] 64 Chart (2000) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[42] 19 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[43] 41 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[44] 28 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[45] 8 France (SNEP)[46] 12 Germany (Media Control)[47] 29 Ireland (IRMA)[48] 83 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[49] 93 Sweden (Hitlistan)[50] 42 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] 9 Decade-end charts Chart (1990–1999) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[52] 8

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[53]	Gold	25,000*
Belgium (BRMA)[54]	3× Platinum	150,000*
France (SNEP)[55]	Gold	250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[56]	Platinum	500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[57]	Platinum	75,000^
Sweden (GLF)[58]	Platinum	30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[59]	Gold	25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[60]	Platinum	660,000[61]
United States (RIAA)[2]	Gold	500,000[62]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	July 27, 1999	Rhythmic contemporary contemporary hit radio	Jive	[63]
	August 3, 1999	Urban AC urban radio		[64]
	August 9, 1999	Adult contemporary radio		[65]
	September 21, 1999	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[2]
United Kingdom	October 18, 1999	12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[66]