Be Careful (Sparkle song)

"Be Careful"
"Be Careful"
Single by Sparkle featuring R. Kelly
from the album Sparkle
Released	April 28, 1998
Length	5:17
Label	Interscope; Rockland;
Songwriter(s)	R. Kelly
Producer(s)	R. Kelly
Sparkle singles chronology
R. Kelly singles chronology

"Be Careful" is a song by American singer Sparkle from her 1998 debut album, Sparkle. The song reached number three on the US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Airplay chart; it was ineligible to appear on the Hot R&B Singles and Hot 100 charts at the time because it was not released as a commercial single in the US. Internationally, "Be Careful" reached number four in the Netherlands and number seven in the United Kingdom.

Background and promotion

The video, directed by Kelly, also features Kelly who wrote, produced, and composed this song. The single and the video were released before R. Kelly's single "When a Woman's Fed Up", which is the continuation of the story.^{[original research?]} Five weeks after the song was released it had already been played on the radio more than 40 million times in the US.^[1] Due to a Billboard rule, the song could not chart on the regular Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in America. The music video is directed by R. Kelly.^[2] The video shows an African-American family that's struggling.

Track listing

European CD single

"Be Careful" (LP version) – 5:16
"Be Careful" (radio edit 1) – 5:18

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Be Careful"
Chart (1998)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[3]	50
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)^[4]	23
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[5]	26
Germany (GfK)^[6]	52
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[7]	4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[8]	4
Scotland (OCC)^[9]	43
UK Singles (OCC)^[10]	7
UK Dance (OCC)^[11]	11
UK Indie (OCC)^[12]	1
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)^[13]	3
US Radio Songs (Billboard)^[14]	32
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)^[15]	1
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[16]	3

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Be Careful"
Chart (1998)	Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[17]	36
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[18]	33
UK Singles (OCC)^[19]	180
US Hot R&B Airplay (Billboard)^[20]	17
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[21]	33

Release history

Release history for "Be Careful"
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	April 28, 1998	Rhythmic contemporary radio	Interscope Rockland	^[22]
United States	June 9, 1998	Contemporary hit radio	Interscope Rockland	^[23]
United Kingdom	July 6, 1998	CD cassette	Jive Rockland	^[24]

References

^ Billboard 6 mar 1999, p. 34, at Google Books
^ "mvdbase.com – Sparkle – "Be careful"". www.mvdbase.com.
^ "Sparkle – Be Careful" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3603." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 30. July 25, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
^ "Sparkle – Be Careful" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 30, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Sparkle – Be Careful" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Sparkle Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
^ "Sparkle Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
^ "Sparkle Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot R&B Singles Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-52.
^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 46.
^ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1245. April 24, 1998. p. 94. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
^ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1251. June 5, 1998. p. 39. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 4, 1998. p. 31. Retrieved July 11, 2021.

[1] Billboard 6 mar 1999, p. 34, at Google Books

[2] "mvdbase.com – Sparkle – "Be careful"". www.mvdbase.com.

[sc_Flanders_Sparkle-3] "Sparkle – Be Careful" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_Canadadance_-4] "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3603." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[5] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 30. July 25, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved June 5, 2020.

[sc_Germany_Sparkle-6] "Sparkle – Be Careful" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_Dutch40_-7] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 30, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_Dutch100_Sparkle-8] "Sparkle – Be Careful" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_Scotland_-9] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_UK_-10] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_UKdance_-11] "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_UKindie_-12] "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_UKrandb_-13] "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[sc_Billboardradiosongs_Sparkle-14] "Sparkle Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphopairplay_Sparkle-15] "Sparkle Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.

[sc_Billboardrhythmic_Sparkle-16] "Sparkle Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.

[17] "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 9, 2020.

[18] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 7, 2018.

[19] "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[20] "The Year in Music 1998: Hot R&B Singles Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-52.

[21] "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 46.

[22] "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1245. April 24, 1998. p. 94. Retrieved July 1, 2021.

[23] "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1251. June 5, 1998. p. 39. Retrieved July 10, 2021.

[24] "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 4, 1998. p. 31. Retrieved July 11, 2021.

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v t e R. Kelly singles
Discography Production discography Videography Awards and nominations
Born into the 90's	"She's Got That Vibe" "Honey Love" "Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)" "Dedicated" "Hey Love (Can I Have a Word)"
12 Play	"Sex Me (Parts I and II)" "Bump N' Grind" "Your Body's Callin'" "Summer Bunnies" "It Seems Like You're Ready"
R. Kelly	"You Remind Me of Something" "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" "Thank God It's Friday" "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
R.	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Half on a Baby" "Home Alone" "I'm Your Angel" "When a Woman's Fed Up" "Did You Ever Think" "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" "Only the Loot Can Make Me Happy"
TP-2.com	"I Wish" "The Storm Is Over Now" "Fiesta (Remix)" "Feelin' on Yo Booty" "A Woman's Threat"
Chocolate Factory	"The World's Greatest" "Ignition (Remix)" "Snake" "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)"
The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1	"Thoia Thoing"
Happy People/U Saved Me	"Happy People" "U Saved Me"
TP.3 Reloaded	"In the Kitchen" "Trapped in the Closet (Chapter 1)" "Playa's Only" "Slow Wind" "Burn It Up"
Double Up	"I'm a Flirt (Remix)" "Same Girl" "Double Up" "Rock Star"
Untitled	"Supaman High" "Number One" "Religious" "Echo"
Love Letter	"When a Woman Loves"
Write Me Back	"Share My Love" "Feelin' Single" "When a Man Lies"
Black Panties	"My Story"
The Buffet	"Backyard Party" "Switch Up"
Other singles	"Soldier's Heart" "Honey" "Big Chips" "Hair Braider" "I Believe" "Sign of a Victory" "Platinum" "I Look to You" "Bump & Grind 2014" "Ignition (Viceroy Remix)"
Featured singles	"Down with the Clique" "Street Dreams (Remix)" "Be Careful" "Friend of Mine (Remix)" "Satisfy You" "Contagious" "We Thuggin'" "Gigolo" "Hotel" "Gangsta Girl" "Till the World Ends" "So Sexy" "So Sexy Chapter II (Like This)" "Wonderful" "That's That Shit" "Go Getta" "Speedin'" "Out of This Club" "All the Above" "Ms. Chocolate" "We Been On" "Do What U Want" "PYD" "Make The World Go Round" "It's Your World"
Soundtrack singles	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Bad Man" "The World's Greatest" "I Believe" "Christmas, I'll Be Steppin'"
Other songs	"It Seems Like You're Ready" "Sadie" "G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T." "Heaven I Need a Hug" "I Need an Angel" "Real Talk" "You Are Not Alone" "Shut Up" "Betcha Gon' Know" "To the World" "Marching Band" "Wake Up Everybody" "I Admit"
Category:R. Kelly songs Category:Songs written by R. Kelly