"Gone till November" a song by Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean, released as the third single from his debut solo album The Carnival (1997). The song was released on 25 November 1997 by Columbia and Ruffhouse, and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Jean's highest-charting solo hit in the UK alongside 2000's "It Doesn't Matter". In the United States, the song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It reached number four in both Canada and New Zealand. The album version differs from the more-familiar pop version found on the single and used in the video. The album version has a different bass line and more, different, voiceover. The pop version is more recognizable due to radio play but is not found on the actual album. Both album and pop versions differ from the "remix" version.

Composition

The orchestral accompaniment, which was arranged and conducted by Sonny Kompanek, was performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Chart performance

"Gone till November" peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart. It also peaked at number nine on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the UK, the song debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent a total of nine weeks on the chart. This became Wyclef's highest-charting single on the chart. The single was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million copies in the United States.

Critical reception

British magazine Music Week wrote, "This laidback ode to a footloose lifestyle by the Fugees rapper is desperately catchy and features pleasing arrangements, but somehow seems a bit lifeless."

Remix

The remix of "Gone till November" features R. Kelly and Canibus, with backing vocals by Destiny's Child, and contains interpolations of the songs "Michelle" by the Beatles and "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club. A separate music video was also made for the remix version.

Music video

The music video for "Gone till November", directed by Francis Lawrence, was filmed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on 20 November 1997, and released in December 1997. It features a cameo appearance by Bob Dylan when Wyclef sings, "knockin' on heaven's door like I'm Bob Dylan." Canibus and Destiny's Child also make appearances respectively, but R. Kelly does not.

Track listings

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history