When I Die (The Real Milli Vanilli song)

"When I Die" is a song originally released by the Real Milli Vanilli on their 1991 album The Moment of Truth, and later by Try 'N' B on their 1992 debut album. The song achieved more exposure when Germany-based American Eurodance group No Mercy covered it for their 1996 debut album, My Promise.

"When I Die"
Song by the Real Milli Vanilli
from the album The Moment of Truth
Length	4:00
Label	Hansa
Songwriter(s)	Frank Farian Dietmar Kawohl Peter Bischof-Fallenstein Diane Warren
Producer(s)	Frank Farian

No Mercy version

"When I Die"
Single by No Mercy
from the album No Mercy and My Promise
B-side	"For Eternity"
Released	18 November 1996 (1996-11-18)
Genre	Pop
Length	4:28
Label	MCI BMG Arista
Songwriter(s)	Frank Farian Dietmar Kawohl Peter Bischof-Fallenstein Diane Warren
Producer(s)	Frank Farian
No Mercy singles chronology
"Where Do You Go" (1996) "When I Die" (1996) "Please Don't Go" (1997)

No Mercy's version of "When I Die" was released as the third single from their 1996 debut album, No Mercy, and its North American counterpart, My Promise, in November 1996. This version reached number one in Austria and the Netherlands, number two in Australia, number three in Switzerland, and number five in Germany and Spain.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "With this lovely and instantly memorable pop ballad, Arista aims to cement the future of this charming male vocal trio as more than merely a flash in the disco pan. It's a realistic goal, given the strength of their performance here—it's warmly soulful and technically far more flexible than what the act has displayed on its previous dance hits. In a sea of jeep-styled sound-alike slow jams, this Latin-flavored gem should stand out quite nicely with its plush keyboards and delicate acoustic guitar lines. Not to be missed."^[1] The magazine's Paul Verna described it as a "brooding ballad", "which allows singer Marty Cintron to fully flex his boyish, star-powered charm."^[2] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "Proving they're also adept when it comes to tackling a ballad, this Miami trio slows it down and blends some sweet harmony into a pretty melody."^[3] Diana Valois from The Morning Call felt it has Marty Cintron "sounding like a coy and eager Prince".^[4]

Track listings

• CD single

1. "When I Die" (radio) – 4:28
2. "For Eternity" (Manumission club mix) – 5:56

• European CD maxi

1. "When I Die" (radio edit) – 4:28
2. "When I Die" (extended) – 6:16
3. "For Eternity" (Manumission club mix) – 5:56
4. "When I Die" (unplugged) – 4:12
5. "Message of Love" – 3:08

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[5] 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[8] 27 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[9] 53 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 8 Germany (GfK)[11] 5 Latvia (Latvijas Top 20)[12] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 1 Spain (AFYVE)[15] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[17] 41 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[18] 14 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[19] 37 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] 21

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Australia (ARIA)[21] 30 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[23] 35 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[24] 26 Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 17 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[28] 21 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 12

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30]	Platinum	70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[31]	Platinum	50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[32]	Gold	250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[33]	Platinum	75,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Europe	18 November 1996	CD	MCI BMG	[11]
Japan	22 January 1997		BMG Japan	[34]
United States	29 April 1997	Contemporary hit radio	Arista	[35]
	6 May 1997	CD		[11]