If You Can't Say No

"If You Can't Say No"
"If You Can't Say No"
Single by Lenny Kravitz
from the album 5
Released	April 20, 1998
Genre	Trip hop
Length	5:17 (album version); 4:17 (radio edit);
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Lenny Kravitz
Producer(s)	Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz singles chronology
Music video
	"If You Can't Say No" on YouTube

"If You Can't Say No" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz, released as the first single from his fifth studio album, 5 (1998), in April 1998. The song was written by Kravitz and reached number eight in Iceland, number nine in Spain, and number 39 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. In Italy, it was a number-one airplay hit. Dance producer Brian Transeau and electronica band Zero 7 remixed the track. All instruments on the track were played by Kravitz.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "The first radio slice of Kravitz's long-anticipated new collection, "5", shows the chameleon-like artist in excellent form—and donning the role of forlorn soul belter. Working within an instrumental context that carefully merges elements of electronica, classic funk, and traditional blues, the artist belts with a heartfelt authority that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Holding the track together is a subtle, pop-framed chorus that gradually seeps into the brain and is ultimately unshakable. Though none of 'em match the raw intensity of the original recording, several jeep and electronic remixes are included. In the end, they should do the trick in drawing newcomers to the Kravitz fold."^[2]

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by American filmmaker Mark Romanek. It consists of Kravitz performing in a futuristic blue room, while he is being illuminated by a floating lamp. Supermodel and actress Milla Jovovich made a notable appearance in the video as Kravitz's girlfriend. The music video won an award for Best Art Direction at the 8th Annual MVPA Awards in 1999.

Charts

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[3]	55
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[4]	35
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)^[5]	21
France (SNEP)^[6]	97
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[7]	8
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)^[8]	1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[9]	4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[10]	52
Scotland (OCC)^[11]	55
Spain (AFYVE)^[12]	9
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[13]	39
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	48
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[15]	39

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	April 20, 1998	Alternative radio	Virgin	^[16]
United States	April 21, 1998	Rhythmic contemporary contemporary hit radio		^[17]
Europe	April 27, 1998	CD		^[10]
United Kingdom	May 4, 1998	12-inch vinyl CD cassette		^[18]

References

^ Molanphy, Chris (July 15, 2023). "Lenny on Mars Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
^ Flick, Larry (April 25, 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 69. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 26 Jul 1998". ARIA. Retrieved May 23, 2019 – via Imgur. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
^ "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3616." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (21.5. – 28.5. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 22, 1998. p. 42. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 26. 27 June 1998. p. 23.
^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 21, 1998". May 23, 1998. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
^ "Be on the Lookout". Gavin Report. No. 2201. April 10, 1998. p. 38.
^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1244. April 17, 1998. pp. 38, 45.
^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. May 2, 1998. p. 31.

[Molanphy_2023-1] Molanphy, Chris (July 15, 2023). "Lenny on Mars Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved July 23, 2023.

[2] Flick, Larry (April 25, 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 69. Retrieved December 6, 2020.

[3] "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 26 Jul 1998". ARIA. Retrieved May 23, 2019 – via Imgur. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.

[sc_Austria_Lenny_Kravitz-4] "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[sc_Canadarock_-5] "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3616." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[sc_France_Lenny_Kravitz-6] "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[7] "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (21.5. – 28.5. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 22, 1998. p. 42. Retrieved October 3, 2019.

[8] "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 26. 27 June 1998. p. 23.

[9] "Tipparade-lijst van week 21, 1998". May 23, 1998. Retrieved August 6, 2021.

[d100-10] "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[sc_Scotland_-11] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[12] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Switzerland_Lenny_Kravitz-13] "Lenny Kravitz – If You Can't Say No". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[sc_UK_-14] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[sc_Billboardalternativesongs_Lenny_Kravitz-15] "Lenny Kravitz Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2018.

[16] "Be on the Lookout". Gavin Report. No. 2201. April 10, 1998. p. 38.

[17] "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1244. April 17, 1998. pp. 38, 45.

[18] "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. May 2, 1998. p. 31.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

v t e Lenny Kravitz
Studio albums	Let Love Rule (1989) Mama Said (1991) Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) Circus (1995) 5 (1998) Lenny (2001) Baptism (2004) It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008) Black and White America (2011) Strut (2014) Raise Vibration (2018) Blue Electric Light (2024)
Compilations	Greatest Hits (2000)
Video albums	Video Retrospective (1991)
Singles	"Let Love Rule" (1989) "I Build This Garden for Us" (1990) "Mr. Cab Driver" (1990) "Always on the Run" (featuring Slash) (1991) "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" (1991) "Fields of Joy" (1991) "Stand by My Woman" (1991) "What the Fuck Are We Saying?" (1991) "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993) "Believe" (1993) "Heaven Help" (1993) "Is There Any Love in Your Heart" (1993) "Heaven Help" / "Spinning Around Over You" (1994) "Rock and Roll Is Dead" (1995) "Circus" (1995) "Can't Get You Off My Mind" (1996) "If You Can't Say No" (1998) "I Belong to You" (1998) "Fly Away" (1998) "American Woman" (1999) "Black Velveteen" (1999) "Again" (2000) "Dig In" (2001) "Stillness of Heart" (2002) "Believe in Me" (2002) "If I Could Fall in Love" (2002) "Where Are We Runnin'?" (2004) "California" (2004) "Lady" (2004) "Calling All Angels" (2004) "I'll Be Waiting" (2008) "Love Love Love" (2008) "Stand" (2011) "Rock Star City Life" (2011) "Black and White America" (2011) "Push" (2011) "The Chamber" (2014) "Sex" (2014) "New York City" (2014) "The Pleasure and the Pain" (2015) "Low" (2018) "Johnny Cash" (2019) "Here to Love" (2019) "TK421" (2023) "Human" (2024)
Other singles	"The Buddha of Suburbia" (vs. David Bowie) (1993) "Deuce" (featuring Stevie Wonder) (1994) "Show Me Your Soul" (2003) "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (featuring Michael Jackson) (2010) "Superlove" (vs. Avicii) (2012)
Related articles	Discography Roxie Roker (mother) Zoë Kravitz (daughter) Lisa Bonet (ex-wife)

If You Can't Say No

Hub talks

If You Can't Say No

If You Can't Say No

Hub rules

If You Can't Say No

Hub overview

Add your contribution

Inside this hub

Media Collections

Timelines

Articles

Notes collections

Notes

Days in Chronicle

Root Wikipedia Article

If You Can't Say No

Critical reception

Music video

Charts

Release history

References

Add your contribution

Related Hubs