The remake or rather, the new version of “If I Say” is distinct from the original, and the reason is both clear and deeply personal. Frankie Muriel was a different man when he created the original version back in the 1980s. At that time, he was a young artist who had never charted on Billboard and could never have imagined MTV featuring his work. So naturally, the song held great significance in his early career. But time passes, and life experiences leave their imprint. Now, Frankie can feel the gravity and depth of his journey reflected in his voice.
The song sounds fuller, the vocals richer, and his delivery more layered. You can hear the pain, passion, and honesty in every line. These words were always his but now, he sings them with the kind of meaning that only comes from decades of lived experience. Frankie keeps the production sharp it’s clean and modern but the emotion remains raw and authentic. His voice is more vulnerable and exposed, yet never forced. He doesn’t attempt to recreate who he was when he first recorded the song. Instead, he fully embraces who he is today, and that self awareness shines through.
The vocal performance in this new version of “If I Say” carries a certain quiet intensity, a sense of calm layered over strength. There’s a noticeable transformation he no longer seeks fame to tell his truth. He simply tells it, in his own way. “If I Say” serves as a powerful opening to Frankie Muriel’s upcoming project, ‘I’m Still Standing’ a heartfelt and emotionally rich collection. It’s a beautiful blend of past and present, woven together in a way that feels personal and genuine. Muriel isn’t trying to return to his past; he’s moving forward, carrying both the weight and the lightness that time brings. He no longer just sings this song he claims it. For the second time, it truly belongs to him.
Follow Frankie Muriel on Spotify, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok
