"Be Careful" is a song by American singer Sparkle, released as her debut single and as the lead single from her first album, Sparkle (1998). The song reached number three on the US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart 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 R. Kelly, also features Kelly who wrote and produced the song. Five weeks after the song was released, it had already been played on the radio more than 40 million times in the US. Due to a Billboard rule, the song could not chart on the regular Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The video shows a struggling African-American family.
Track listing European CD single "Be Careful" (LP version) – 5:16 "Be Careful" (radio edit 1) – 5:18
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (1998)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)26
Year-end charts +Chart (1998)PositionNetherlands (Dutch Top 40)36Netherlands (Single Top 100)33UK Singles (OCC)180US Hot R&B Airplay (Billboard)17US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)33
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesApril 28, 1998Rhythmic contemporary radioJune 9, 1998Contemporary hit radioUnited KingdomJuly 6, 1998
References