"Missing You" is a song by American singers Brandy, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan and Canadian R&B musician Tamia. The song was used to promote the 1996 film Set It Off. It was written and produced by Gordon Chambers and Barry J. Eastmond and released as the lead single from the soundtrack album of the film on August 6, 1996, through East West Records. The song features a string arrangement conducted by Eastmond.
The collaboration peaked at number two in New Zealand and reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 as well as number 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. It gave Tamia her highest-charting single at the time and became one of the biggest hit singles of the 1990s for both Knight and Khan. At the 39th Annual Grammy Awards, "Missing You" was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
Background
"Missing You" was written by musicians Barry J. Eastmond and Gordon Chambers. Eastmond was picked by Elektra Records CEO Sylvia Rhone to produce a song for the Set It Off motion picture. He wrote much of the song after watching a rough cut of the film in Los Angeles, California. Rhone stated that she was thrilled to have all four performers of the song in the studio, and she also noted that the song was integral to the film because it illustrates the personalities of the four main characters.
Music video
A music video for "Missing You" was filmed by F. Gary Gray, director of Set It Off. The video portrays Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan performing in different landscapes each. Brandy is in the middle of a grassy field under a tree; Tamia is in the middle of a wheat field; Knight is on a covered bridge overlooking a stream; and Khan is on top of a cliff overlooking an ocean shore. It also features scenes from the 1996 film.
Track listings
US CD and cassette single
"Missing You" (radio version) "Missing You" (a cappella mellow mix) Michael Speaks: "So Right, For Life" – 4:44
European and Australian CD single
"Missing You" (radio version) – 4:12
"Missing You" (a cappella intro mix) – 4:26
"Missing You" (mellow acoustic mix) – 4:14
"Missing You" (instrumental) – 4:13
"Missing You" (LP version) – 4:22
Credits and personnel
Credits are lifted from the US CD single liner notes.
Studios
Recorded at East Bay Recording (Tarrytown, New York, US), The Hit Factory (New York City), Tracken Studios, Capitol Recording, and The Enterprise (Los Angeles) Mixed at The Enterprise (Burbank, Los Angeles)
Main personnel
Barry J. Eastmond – writing, keyboard and drum programming, conductor, production, arrangement, string arrangement, engineering Gordon Chambers – writing, background vocals, background vocal arrangement Brandy – vocals Tamia – vocals, background vocals Gladys Knight – vocals, background vocals Chaka Khan – vocals, background vocals Cindy Mizelle – background vocals LaJuan Carter – background vocals Phil Hamilton – guitar Eric Rehl – synth programming Stan Wallace – engineering Carl Nappa – engineering Manny Marroquin – engineering Bill Smith – engineering Kevin Stone – engineering assistant Greg Pinto – engineering assistant Rick Alvarez – engineering assistant Colin Sauer – engineering assistant Steve Genewick – engineering assistant Steve Kinsey – engineering assistant Erik Zobler – mixing Mike Tacci – mixing assistant