I Can Help
| "I Can Help" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Billy Swan | ||||
| from the album I Can Help | ||||
| B-side | "Ways of a Woman in Love"[1] | |||
| Released | September 1974 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded | 1974 | |||
| Genre | Pop, country | |||
| Length | 2:58 (single edit) 4:01 (album version) |
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| Label | Monument Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Billy Swan | |||
| Producer | Chip Young and Billy Swan | |||
| Certification | Gold (RIAA) | |||
| Billy Swan singles chronology | ||||
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"I Can Help" is a song written[2] and performed by Billy Swan. Released in September 1974, the song was a big crossover smash, reaching #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Singles charts late that fall.
Although Swan had other charting singles on both the Hot 100 and country charts, the song is generally recognized as being Swan's only major hit single release. However, Swan — later a member of the band Black Tie — had continued success as a songwriter for other artists and as a session musician.
Contents |
[edit] Song history
Two versions of the song exist:
- In the album version, applause can be heard as the final note is held for several seconds. The song ends with a reprise of the final musical bridge and more applause. However, it still does not end there; Swan plays still another reprise of the final musical bridge as the song fades out.
- The single edit immediately fades out after the aforementioned applause begins.
[edit] Chart success
In addition to being a No. 1 country and pop hit, "I Can Help" reached No. 6 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart and No. 6 on the United Kingdom's Record Retailer chart. In addition, the song was a hit throughout most of Europe and also reached #1 in Australia.
"I Can Help" is certified gold for sales of 1,000,000 units by the Recording Industry Association of America. [1] In U.K., it has "Silver" certification, and in France, it has sales about 700,000.
[edit] Chart positions
| Chart (1974-5) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 6 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 2 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 4 |
| Euro Hit 50 | 1 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Austrian Top 40 | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 1 |
| Belgian VRT Top 30 | 1 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 1 |
| German Singles Chart | 1 |
| Australian Kent Music Report | 1 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 1 |
| Danish Singles Chart | 1 |
| French Singles Chart | 1 |
| South African Singles Chart | 3 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 4 |
| U.K. Singles Chart | 6 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 11 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 42 |
[edit] Year-End Chart
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 16 |
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
| Belgian VRT Top 30 | 4 |
| Swiss Music Charts | 5 |
| Austrian Top 40 | 6 |
| German Media Control Charts | 10 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 43 |
[edit] References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 412. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "The Billboard Book of Number One Hits" by Fred Bronson, 4th ed.
| Preceded by "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" by John Lennon |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single November 23-November 30, 1974 |
Succeeded by "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas and Biddu |
| Preceded by "She Called Me Baby" by Charlie Rich |
Billboard Hot Country Singles number-one single December 14-December 21, 1974 |
Succeeded by "What a Man My Man Is" by Lynn Anderson |
| Preceded by "Country Is" by Tom T. Hall |
RPM Country Tracks number-one single December 14, 1974 |
Succeeded by "Back Home Again" by John Denver |
