Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)
"Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" | ||||
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Single by Boston | ||||
from the album Third Stage | ||||
B-side | "Cool the Engines" | |||
Released | April 1987 | |||
Format | 7" 45 RPM | |||
Recorded | 1981-1983 at Hideaway Studios | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 3:58 | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Writer(s) | Tom Scholz | |||
Producer(s) | Tom Scholz | |||
Boston singles chronology | ||||
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"Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)", also known as "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)/Still in Love" or "Can'tcha Say" is a song written by Tom Scholz that was first released by Boston on their 1986 album Third Stage. It was released as the third single from the album and reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] It also reached #7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #27 on the Cashbox chart.[2] In Canada, the song peaked at #88.[3]
Although not released until 1986, Boston recorded "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" over 1981, 1982 and 1983.[4] According to the Third Stage liner notes, the song is about a reunion.[4] Scholz used the Rockman amplifier he invented to produce an effect in which the electric guitars sound like violins.[4][5] "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" was the first song on which Scholz recorded his guitar part using a Rockman, in conjunction with a ten band equalizer for changing sounds.[6]
Boston Phoenix critic Milo Miles criticizes "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" as "tedium."[7] He singles out the line "Where there's a will there's a way" as an example of the song's "prosaic, cliched lyrics."[7] However, Billboard Magazine regarded the song as one of the "best bets" to follow up on the success of the #1 single from Third Stage, "Amanda."[8] Los Angeles Times critic Steve Pond praises the "persuasive" sound at the climax, which he likens to the sound of "a couple dozen guitars" revving up.[9] Jerry Spangler of the Deseret News praised the song as a ballad that sounds like a "sure-fire winner".[10] Philip Booth of the Lakeland Ledger praises the song's "a capella vocal opening."[11] Tom Alesia of The Wisconsin State Journal regards the song's title as Boston's worst.[12]
Despite its chart success, "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" was omitted from Boston's 1997 Greatest Hits album, for which the San Antonio Express criticized the package.[13]
Charts
Chart (1987) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Top Singles | 88[3] |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 20[1] |
US Mainstream Rock | 7[1] |
References
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