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 | |||
Recorded | 1981-1983 at Hideaway Studios | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 3:58 | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Songwriter(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, making it their last Top 40 hit in the United States.[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] The released version seamlessly combines what were originally separate songs.[5] 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][6] "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.[7]
Boston Phoenix critic Milo Miles criticizes "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" as "tedium."[8] He singles out the line "Where there's a will there's a way" as an example of the song's "prosaic, cliched lyrics."[8] 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."[9] 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.[10] Jerry Spangler of the Deseret News praised the song as a ballad that sounds like a "sure-fire winner".[11] Paul Elliott of TeamRock.com rated it Boston's 8th greatest song.[5] Philip Booth of the Lakeland Ledger praises the song's "a cappella vocal opening."[12] Tom Alesia of The Wisconsin State Journal regards the song's title as Boston's worst.[13]
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.[14]
Charts
Chart (1987) | Peak position |
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Canadian Top Singles | 88[3] |
UK (Official Charts Company)[15] | 82 |
US Billboard Hot 100[1] | 20 |
US Album Rock Tracks[16] | 7 |
References
- ^ a b "Boston Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- ^ Downey, P., Albert, G. & Hoffmann, F.W. (1994). Cash box pop singles charts, 1950-1993. University of Michigan. p. 34. ISBN 1563083167.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "RPM 100 Singles". 46 (4). Library and Archives Canada. May 2, 1987. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ a b c "Third Stage". Boston. Archived from the original on 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ a b Elliott, Paul (March 10, 2016). "The 10 Greatest Boston Songs Ever". Future plc. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ Samuels, L. (August 26, 1986). "After Eight Years Boston Delivers More of the Same Old Bombast". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ Stix, J. (July 1987). "Tom Scholz: A Normal Life". Guitar. pp. 46–53, 101.
- ^ a b Miles, M. (October 21, 1986). "Pop-Pourri". Boston Phoenix. p. 40. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ "Spotlight". Billboard Magazine. October 4, 1986. p. 78. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ Pond, S. (October 5, 1986). "Boston Eight Years After". Los Angeles Times. p. 76. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ Spangler, J. (October 31, 2013). "Former Musical Kings Attempt to Climb Back to the Top". Deseret News. p. 8W. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ Booth, P. (October 2, 1987). "Boston Proves a Point". Lakeland Ledger. p. 12. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ Alesia, T. (July 13, 2003). "Dinosaurs Rock Festival Near Eau Claire Becomes Haven for Fading Rockers". The Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2013-08-11. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ^ "Don't Shoot! Give 'Greatest Hits' a Chance". San Antonio Express. August 1, 1997. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ "Boston". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ^ "Boston Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2019-10-16.