If I Were You (k.d. lang song)

"If I Were You" is a song written by Canadian songwriters k.d. lang and Ben Mink and performed by lang. It was the first single released from lang's third studio album, All You Can Eat (1995), by Warner Bros. on 18 September 1995. The single reached number 24 on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number four on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. On the US Billboard charts, the single reached number 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and was lang's second and final number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Overseas, "If I Were You" peaked at number 23 in Australia, number 50 in New Zealand, and number 53 in the United Kingdom. In 2017, Billboard named "If I Were You" k.d. lang's sixth-best song.

Critical reception
In his review of All You Can Eat, Steve Baltin from Cash Box wrote, "The disc kicks off with the erudite 'If I Were You', a song that more adventurous radio programmers will find friendly." Dave Jennings from Melody Maker felt "she's got one of the most gorgeous and achingly sensual voices currently being committed to audio tape". He added, "'If I Were You' is, I guess, probably best described as an affectionate envy song; kd wishing that it was possible for her to be a less contentious figure, so that she could get more done. Is Madonna possibly clutching burning ears at this moment?" Sylvia Patterson from NME noted its "wafty harp and moodsome reverie". Another NME editor, Angela Lewis, commented, "As ever, the stretch-limousine smooth Lang voice puts one in mind of chintzy cocktail parties where 'close' pals like Cindy Crawford, David Geffen and Madonna turn up, on the spur of the moment, like."

Track listings

 * US 7-inch and CD single
 * 1) "If I Were You" – 3:38
 * 2) "Get Some" – 3:37


 * US 12-inch single
 * A1. "If I Were You" (main mix) – 6:11
 * A2. "If I Were You" (Junior's X-Beat mix) – 7:28
 * A3. "Get Some" – 3:37
 * B1. "If I Were You" (Junior's X-Beat Miss Queen dub) – 9:27
 * B2. "If I Were You" (main mix dub) – 11:04


 * US maxi-CD single
 * 1) "If I Were You" (album edit) – 3:38
 * 2) "If I Were You" (Smokin' Lounge mix) – 4:10
 * 3) "If I Were You" (main mix) – 5:59
 * 4) "If I Were You" (Junior's X-Beat mix) – 7:28
 * 5) "Get Some" – 3:37


 * UK, Australian, and Japanese CD single
 * 1) "If I Were You" – 3:58
 * 2) "Get Some" – 3:37
 * 3) "What's New Pussycat" (live) – 2:44


 * UK cassette single
 * 1) "If I Were You" – 3:58
 * 2) "What's New Pussycat" (live) – 2:44


 * Australian maxi-CD single
 * 1) "If I Were You" (album version)
 * 2) "If I Were You" (Close to the Groove edit)
 * 3) "If I Were You" (Smokin' Lounge mix)
 * 4) "If I Were You" (Junior's X-Beat mix)
 * 5) "If I Were You" (album edit)
 * 6) "What's New Pussycat" (live)

Credits and personnel
Credits are lifted from the All You Can Eat album booklet.

Studios
 * Recorded at Placebo Sound and Placebow Sound (Vancouver, British Columbia)
 * Mixed at Encore Studios (Burbank, California)
 * Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine, US)

Personnel


 * k.d. lang – writing, banjo, harp, production, additional recording
 * Ben Mink – writing, guitars, production, additional recording
 * David Piltch – bass guitar
 * Teddy Borowiecki – Rhodes, additional keyboards
 * Randall Stoll – drums
 * Graham Boyle – percussion
 * Marc Ramaer – co-production, recording, mixing
 * Jason Mauza – recording engineering
 * Jason Mauza – mix engineering
 * Bob Ludwig – mastering