Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.
So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.
Before any of us “knew her” (as a singer), Jennifer Lopez was seeing her Hollywood star rise on the heels of a critically acclaimed portrayal of late Tejano star Selena. The dabble in music would prove itself a catalyst for the dancer/actress to pursue her dreams of being a singing star herself.
Enter ‘If You Had My Love.’
Pitched to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop passed on the tune reportedly saying “it would sound better if a female sang it.” Earlier, a similar tune – ‘If I Gave Love’ recorded by powerhouse R&B vocalist Chante Moore – was set for release but rumor has it Lopez’s then-boyfriend, Sean “Puffy” Combs, swiped the song, reworked it with Rodney Jerkins and rushed his boo to record and release it. Forcing Moore’s version to shelves, the move proved itself a lucrative one for Lopez.
With the assistance of a smoking hot video, which showed off all of Jenny’s assets, it wouldn’t be long before ‘Love’ slid to the top of the Hot 100. Ousting fellow Latin sensation Ricky Martin‘s ‘Livin La Vida Loca’ from the top spot at the top of this month in 1999, J’s inaugural hit would lead the singles chart for a month before being dethroned by Destiny’s Child.
Tuck in below to see who among your favorites dominated the charts this week in 1999:
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