Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
"Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)"
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
"We're Ready"
(1986)
"Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)/Still in Love"
(1987)
"Hollyann"
(1986)

"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

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  13. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.