"If You Really Cared" is the third single from English singer-songwriter Gabrielle's second album, Gabrielle (1996). It was written by Gabrielle, Ben Barson of the Boilerhouse Boys, Ben Wolff and Andrew Dean. "If You Really Cared" was released in September 1996 by Go Beat and Universal, and returned Gabrielle to the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 15.
Caitlin Moran from Melody Maker praised the song as "an inner-London C&W smooch that builds and builds into a deliciously sparse crescendo."[1] Another Melody Maker editor, Simon Price, named it one of the Singles of the Week, writing, "'If You Really Cared' is another gorgeous period piece (shades of Lorraine Ellison's "Stay with Me" this time). I've had it on Repeat eight times in a row and I'm not bored yet. I want her to marry me."[2] A reviewer from Music Week gave it three out of five, adding, "Gabrielle shows her class with this timeless ballad which captures a vintage soulful sound, but remains distinctly modern."[3]
^If You Really Cared (UK CD1 liner notes). Gabrielle. Go! Beat. 1996. GODCD 153, 850 709-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^If You Really Cared (UK CD2 liner notes). Gabrielle. Go! Beat. 1996. GOLCD 153, 850 711-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^If You Really Cared (UK cassette single sleeve). Gabrielle. Go! Beat. 1996. GODMCD 153, 850 708-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)