# Wish I Didn't Miss You

"Wish I Didn't Miss You" is a song by American recording artist Angie Stone. It was written by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin for Stone's second studio album, Mahogany Soul (2001), while production was helmed by Matias, Martin and Swizz Beatz. The song features a sampled composition of The O'Jays's 1972 record "Back Stabbers" as written by Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, and John Whitehead. It was the last song played at Space nightclub in Ibiza before its initial closing, on October 3, 2016. It was played by Carl Cox.

## Background

"Wish I Didn't Miss You" was written by Andrea Martin and Ivan Matias. It contains elements of American R&B group The O'Jays's 1972 record "Back Stabbers" as written by Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, and John Whitehead. Due to the sample, Huff, McFadden and Whitehead are also credited as songwriters on "Wish I Didn't Miss You." When Martin's demo of the song was sent to Stone, she expressed dislike for it. With much of the recording sessions for her second album Mahogany Soul already finished, Stone did not feel the need to cut any additional songs. Though it would delay the album's release, J Records executive Clive Davis eventually perusaded her to record it. Stone, along with Swizz Beatz, later received co-producer credits on the record. Upon its breakthrough success, the singer grew to like "Wish I Didn't Miss You": "I have to close my every show with that record [and] I love the song now," she said in 2023.

## Critical reception

"Wish I Didn't Miss You" earned universal acclaim from music critics. In a review of parent album Mahogany Soul, Jose F. Promis from AllMusic noted that the album's "true gem is the smoldering, gorgeous, aching "Wish I Didn't Miss You," which pulls forward with an unstoppable beat and features a stellar, yearning performance from Miss Stone." Similarly, Barry Walters from Rolling Stone declared it the album's "knockout track." Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn commented on the song: "Built around a killer sample, [...] this tale of struggling to break free from the spell of an old relationship is as stylish and seductive as the best of '60s and '70s soul music that inspired it." The Washington Post wrote: "After hearing a tune as feverish as "Wish I Didn't Miss You," one could bet that Angie Stone knows a thing or two about sweltering summers [...] Sampling the sweaty rim shots and hazy guitar licks of the O'Jays classic "Back Stabbers" to marvelous effect, Stone's exquisite voice hits the track like cool rain on hot pavement as she dives into the lovelorn chorus." Spin magazine ranked the song among the 20 best singles of 2002 and wrote: "If Angie were skinny, Whitney would be unnecessary and Mary J. would be worried. Sad but true."

### Year-end lists

Appearances on year-end lists for "Wish I Didn't Miss You" :
| Publication | Accolade | Editor | Rank |
| Billboard | The 100 Greatest Songs of 2002 | Staff | 46 |
| Billboard | Top 10 Dance Club Songs Year-by-Year (2002) | Staff | 3 |
| Spin | Singles of the Year (2002) | Staff | 11 |

## Chart performance

Remixed by Hex Hector and Mac Quayle, "Wish I Didn't Miss You" became a successful club hit and gay anthem. The song's remixes topped the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

## Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the liner notes of Mahogany Soul.

## Certifications

Certifications for "Wish I Didn't Miss You" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000$^‡$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) Sales since 2005 | Gold | 400,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release history and formats for "Wish I Didn't Miss You" :
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| United States | February 25, 2002 | Rhythmic contemporaryurban radio | J |
| Australia | June 3, 2002 | CD | J |
| Denmark | June 17, 2002 | CD | J |
| Sweden | June 17, 2002 | CD | J |
| United Kingdom | July 15, 2002 | 12-inch vinylCD | J |