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Miss You (Aaliyah song)

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"Miss You"
North American editions cover
Single by Aaliyah
from the album I Care 4 U
B-side
ReleasedOctober 28, 2002
Recorded1999
StudioSony (New York City)
Genre
Length4:05
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Teddy Bishop
Aaliyah singles chronology
"More Than a Woman"
(2001)
"Miss You"
(2002)
"Don't Know What to Tell Ya"
(2003)
Alternative cover
International editions cover
Audio sample
A 24-second sample of "Miss You"
Music video
"Miss You" on YouTube

"Miss You" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah. Written by Johntá Austin, Ginuwine and Teddy Bishop in 1998, the song was initially recorded in 1999 for Aaliyah's eponymous third studio album (2001). However, it did not make the final cut for Aaliyah and remained unreleased until after Aaliyah's death in 2001. It was then included on the posthumous compilation album I Care 4 U (2002) and was released as its lead single on October 28, 2002, by Blackground Records and Universal Records.

Upon its release, "Miss You" received widespread acclaim from music critics. A commercial success, it peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Aaliyah's second highest-peaking single behind her number-one hit "Try Again" (2000), and atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Internationally, it reached the top ten in Germany, and top 20 in Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Darren Grant and featured tributes from Aaliyah's friends and collaborators, including DMX, Missy Elliott, and Static Major. It was nominated for Best R&B Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Rapper Jay-Z made a tribute to Aaliyah using the "Miss You" instrumental and chorus for its official remix, released in March 2003.

Writing and production

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Originally crafted for Ginuwine's second studio album 100% Ginuwine (1999), "Miss You" was written by Ginuwine, Johntá Austin and Teddy Bishop in 1998, and was produced by Bishop. In 1999, while Aaliyah was recording her eponymous third studio album (2001) at the Manhattan Center Studios, she requested Austin and Bishop to play her a couple of tracks they had produced with other artists, including "Miss You", for which Ginuwine had already lent his vocals.[1] Bishop later commented: "She was like, 'I want to cut this record' [...] She got on the phone, called him and said 'Hey I know you cut this record already, but I would love to cut it'." Ginuwine allowed her to cut her own version of it and the same night, Aaliyah re-recorded the whole song. Although she reportedly wanted to put the song out herself, her label Blackground Records felt it was not a "smash record", thus the song was left unused until after Aaliyah's death.[1] According to Billboard, lyrically "The verses paint it as a clear breakup song, about being left by her college-bound high-school lover — but with a more ambiguous chorus full of heart-tugging lyrics (“It’s been too long and I’m lost without you/ What am I gonna do?”) and a bird-twittering background hook that sounds like the singer’s soul flying free, it’s a tearjerker anyway".[2]

Composition

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Sheet music for the song shows the key of B major with a suggested tempo of "moderately slow hip-hop (with a half-time feel)" at 112 beats per minute in common 4/4 time.[3]

Release

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"Miss You" was first made available on October 28, 2002, for streaming via AOL's program First Listen.[4] Blackground Records and Universal Records serviced it to contemporary hit, rhythmic contemporary, urban contemporary and urban adult contemporary radio stations in the United States on November 12, as the lead single from I Care 4 U.[5] Jay-Z's remix of the song was serviced to the urban contemporary radio on April 8, 2003,[6][7] and was released as a CD single with the original version on April 29.[8]

In August 2021, it was reported that Aaliyah's recorded work for Blackground (since rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0) would be re-released on physical, digital, and, for the first time ever, streaming services in a deal between the label and Empire Distribution.[9] I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah, both including "Miss You", were re-released on October 8.[10]

Critical reception

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John Bush from AllMusic, while mentioning the song with "All I Need", said that they "don't have the edge of her classic Timbaland productions, but they stand up well — even when they're slotted next to the best songs of her career."[11] Oliver VanDervoort from AXS said, "This is another song that is slow and yet has a great catchy beat".[12] Michael Paoletta from Billboard praised "Miss You", calling it "yet another showcase of a talent that was taken too soon" and adding: "The singer's breathy alto floats over a sensual, bass-heavy track, courtesy of Teddy Bishop".[13] Damien Scott from Complex felt that the song "is a masterstroke in lovelorn yearning with Aaliyah spilling tears over a lost love. It made sense, then, that it was one of her last tracks, as it summed up the way her family, friends, and fans felt upon her passing".[14] James Poletti from Dotmusic described the song as "deep 'n' honeyed sweetness" and felt that Aaliyah "evokes shuddering sensuality in every syllable".[15] Laura Passero from the Hartford Courant labeled the song as a "soft ballad that highlights her sultry voice." She also felt that the lyrics, "it's been so long and I'm lost without you" in a way speaks to her death.[16] Music Week felt that with its growing radio airplay that "this will find a ready-made audience among the late singer's fanbase".[17] musicOMH called "Miss You" the best new song from I Care 4 U, as well as stating "poignant lyrics ... mix well with a thoughtful, reflective, laid back tune."[18] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine called the song "Aaliyah-lite".[19]

Accolades

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Awards and nominations for "Miss You"
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2003 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Award Top R&B/Hip-Hop Single – Airplay Nominated [20]
2003 MTV Video Music Award Best R&B Video Nominated [21]

Commercial performance

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In the United States, "Miss You" debuted at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 30, 2002.[22] It peaked at number three on the chart dated April 5, 2003, becoming Aaliyah's second highest-peaking single on the chart after the number-one "Try Again" (2000), and spent a total of 30 weeks on the chart.[22] The song also peaked atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart on January 25, spending three weeks at the summit.[23] On the 2003 year-end charts, "Miss You" was ranked eighth on the Billboard Hot 100 and third on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.[24][25] Six years after its release, on November 22, 2008, the song debuted and peaked at number 38 on the US Hot Ringtones. After the October 8, 2021 re-release of I Care 4 U and Ultimate Aaliyah, "Miss You" debuted and peaked at number five on the US R&B Digital Song Sales.[26]

Internationally, "Miss You" was a moderate commercial success. In Canada, it peaked at number 14 in its sixth week on the Canadian Singles Chart, where it spent a total of 13 weeks.[27] The song reached the top ten in Germany, where it debuted and peaked at number eight on January 27, 2003.[28] It also peaked at number 15 in both Denmark and Switzerland.[29] In the Netherlands, it peaked at number 25 on the Dutch Top 40 and number 14 on the Single Top 100.[30] In the United Kingdom, "Miss You" debuted at number 91 on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending February 1.[31] It peaked at number 76 in its fourth week, becoming Aaliyah's lowest-peaking single in the country.[32]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "Miss You" was directed by Darren Grant and was filmed in November 2002 in Long Island City, New York, and Los Angeles.[33] The video includes segments from Aaliyah's previous music videos, alongside cameo appearances from Aaliyah's close friends and peers, who were shown lip-syncing to the song. Celebrities who were present at the Long Island video shoot included Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Tweet, Queen Latifah, Jaheim, Lyric, and Lil' Jon and the Eastside Boyz, while those present at the Los Angeles shoot included Jamie Foxx, DMX, Quincy Jones and Ananda Lewis.[33] In the UK, the video was made available to stream online a week before the release of "I Care 4 U" starting on January 31, 2003 via Dotmusic's website.[34]

Track listings and formats

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Credits and personnel

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Credits are adapted from the liner notes of I Care 4 U.[40]

Charts

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Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Miss You"
Region Date Version(s) Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 28, 2002 Original [4]
November 12, 2002 [62]
Germany January 13, 2003 Edel [28]
United Kingdom January 27, 2003 CD Independiente
Belgium February 7, 2003 Universal Music
Luxembourg
Netherlands
United States April 8, 2003 Remix Urban contemporary radio
  • Blackground
  • Universal
April 29, 2003
  • Original
  • remix
CD [8]
Canada Universal [64]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Interview: Radio Constantly Changes But Teddy Bishop's Ability To Diversify Allows The Quality Of His Music To Stay The Same". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "Aaliyah's 20 Best Songs: Staff List". Billboard. August 25, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "Miss You". Musicnotes. March 3, 2003.
  4. ^ a b "Unreleased Aaliyah Track Hits The Net". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. October 28, 2002. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "R&R's Going For Adds: Week Of 11/11/02" (PDF). Radio & Records. November 8, 2002. p. 34. Retrieved April 11, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ a b "R&R's Going For Adds: Week Of 4/7/03" (PDF). Radio & Records. April 4, 2003. p. 24. Retrieved December 5, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 13, 2003). "Jay-Z Tells Aaliyah Dame's Doing Well, Missy Misses Her On New Remix". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Aaliyah-Miss You". Amazon Music. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  9. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 5, 2021). "20 Years After Her Passing, Aaliyah's Music Is Finally Coming To Streaming Services". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  10. ^ Legaspi, Althea (October 8, 2021). "Stream Aaliyah's 'I Care 4 U' and 'Ultimate Aaliyah' Compilation Albums". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Bush, John (December 10, 2002). "I Care 4 U – Aaliyah". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  12. ^ VanDervoort, Oliver (March 16, 2016). "The top 10 best Aaliyah songs". AXS. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  13. ^ "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. November 16, 2002. Retrieved November 20, 2018 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ "The 25 Best Aaliyah Songs". Complex. May 19, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "Single Reviews Aaliyah-"Miss You". dotmusic. January 21, 2003. Archived from the original on January 18, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  16. ^ "'I Care 4 U'". Hartford Courant. February 1, 2003. Retrieved September 3, 2023 – via The Daily Gazette.
  17. ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Smith, Graham (February 3, 2003). "Aaliyah – I Care 4 U". musicOMH. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  19. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (December 4, 2002). "Aaliyah – I Care 4 U". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
  20. ^ "2003 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Finalists". Billboard. June 5, 2003. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  21. ^ "2003 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees". Billboard. July 25, 2003. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  23. ^ "Aaliyah". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  24. ^ "Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. December 27, 2003. pp. YE-30, YE-32. Retrieved April 11, 2022 – via Google Books.
  25. ^ "Year-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  26. ^ "R&B Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  27. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  28. ^ a b c "Aaliyah – Miss You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  29. ^ a b c "Aaliyah – Miss You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  30. ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 10, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "MISSY ELLIOTT, LIL' KIM, TWEET TO LIP-SYNC IN AALIYAH VIDEO". MTV News. November 14, 2002. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  34. ^ "Aaliyah Tribute Video". Dotmusic. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original on October 11, 2003. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  35. ^ Miss You (US CD single liner notes). Aaliyah. Blackground Records, Universal Records. 2003. B0000384-32.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ^ Miss You (UK CD single liner notes). Aaliyah. Blackground Records, Unique Corps, Independiente. 2003. ISOM 67MS.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ Miss You (Benelux CD single liner notes). Aaliyah. Blackground Records, Unique Corps. 2003. JWESTCD 300.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  38. ^ Miss You (European CD single liner notes). Aaliyah. Blackground Records, Unique Corps, Edel Records. 2003. 0146106ERE.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ^ Miss You (European maxi CD single liner notes). Aaliyah. Blackground Records, Unique Corps, Edel Records. 2003. 0146105ERE.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  40. ^ I Care 4 U (liner notes). Aaliyah. Blackground Records, Universal Records. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. ^ "Aaliyah – Miss You" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  42. ^ "Aaliyah – Miss You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  43. ^ "Aaliyah – Miss You" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  44. ^ "Aaliyah – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard. November 8, 2015. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015.
  45. ^ "Aaliyah – Miss You". Tracklisten. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  46. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 6. February 1, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  47. ^ "Polish Airplay Charts - LISTA REGIONALNA 05/2003". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  48. ^ "Aaliyah – Miss You". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  49. ^ "Aaliyah – Miss You". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  50. ^ "Aaliyah: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  51. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  52. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  53. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  54. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  55. ^ "Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 14. April 5, 2003. p. 62. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  56. ^ "R&B Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. October 20, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  57. ^ "Jaarlijsten 2002" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  58. ^ "2003 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  59. ^ "2003 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  60. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  61. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 26. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  62. ^ Sources for Radio formats:
    • "CHR/Top40". RadioAndRecords.com. November 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
    • "Rhythmic". RadioAndRecords.com. November 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
    • "Urban". RadioAndRecords.com. November 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
    • "Urban AC". RadioAndRecords.com. November 16, 2002. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  63. ^ "New Release Countdown: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. United Kingdom. January 18, 2003. p. 25. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  64. ^ ""Miss You": Featuring Jay-Z". CDPlus.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2005.

Further reading

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