" If I Do n't Have You " is a mid-tempo R&B ballad that lasts four minutes and 12 seconds . Brent Faulkner of '' PopMatters '' viewed the single as a " throwback soul record " . The instrumental includes a piano , and the song focuses on unrequited love and the end of a relationship . Lyrics include : “ You should know if I do n’t have you , Rocks me to the core / I ca n’t love no more / If I do n’t have you , know I ’m done for sure / Nobody worth fighting for . ” Throughout the single , Braxton uses her upper register to sing : " I ca n't love no more / If I do n't have you / Know I 'm done for sure / Nobody worth fighting for " and " I 'm tired of these walls / That 's on my life / I 'll lose my mind if I do n't have you . " According to '' Essence '' 's Imani Brammer , " If I Do n't Have You " functions as an " ode to vulnerability and honesty " . Braxton explained : " The whole vibe of ' If I Do n't Have You ' is about being transparent , being aware with yourself . " The singer also connected the single 's content with her past romantic relationships by commenting : " I have nothing to hide about how I feel . Before I was married I kissed a lot of frogs and ogres , I talk about those experiences candidly . " Critical reception towards " If I Do n't Have You " was primarily positive upon its release . It received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards . The song received positive comparisons to Keyshia Cole 's 2013 single " I Choose You " and Alicia Keys ' 2003 song " You Do n't Know My Name " . In a review for '' Calling All Lovers '' , Diamond Hillyer of '' Vibe '' praised the song 's composition as " sprightly instrumentals " that would appeal to listeners . Matthew Scott Donnelly of '' PopCrush '' wrote that the track was appropriate for those who are in " the mood for a good cry ( or perhaps an all-out profound wail ) " . Idolator 's Mike Wass praised Braxton 's vocals on the single , but later reassessed " If I Do n't Have You " as a " little undercooked " in comparison to other tracks on '' Calling All Lovers ''
58th Annual Grammy Awards
58th Annual Grammy Awards
If I Don't Have You