R. Kelly "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"

Album: R. Kelly (Jive)
Songwriters: R. Kelly
Hit #1: August 3rd, 1996 (2 Weeks)

"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" doesn't really sound like the kind of record R. Kelly would keep for himself. Neither an extended sleazy come-on or gag-inducing tribute to a Higher Power, "Sleep" is instead, a fairly plain plea from one man to the former lover he foolishly let go. "Oh sometimes a man can say some things/ That he don't really mean," he spews in this sappy, long-form apology letter, his voice trembling with the un-shakable fear that his words are falling on deaf ears. She has good reason never to come back, as he stupidly let his insecurities get the best of him, accusing her of having an affair with her close male pal.

For anyone else, this would be grade-A material, but for the far more visionary R. Kelly, the song feels much too common, milked of any of his engaging melodramatic tricks with it's standard R&B male sensitivity and by-the-numbers pop/ soul production.

The tender, melancholy remix only plants him deeper in bland, adult-soul territory (most of the song sounds like it was tailor-made for Brian McKnight while the hook steals a bit from Toni Braxton), but at least it offsets all the drippy self-pitying with a striking third verse in which he gets a bit personal, denying any rumors swirling about in connection with his appearance in certain "freaky magazines". It wouldn't be the last time he would defend himself against allegations through his music.

Though fine enough on it's own merits (it seems to be cut out of the same sappy cloth as the Michael Jackson song he penned, "You Are Not Alone"), "I Can't Sleep Baby" falters because it just doesn't cut it as a stand-out R. Kelly number, lacking the lip licking erotica or soap-styled drama we'd come to expect from the man.

R.Kelly - I can sleep
Uploaded by welcomeback

DL: "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" (YFH)

I Can't Sleep Remix
Uploaded by ice1906

DL: "I Can't Sleep Baby (Remix)" (YFH)