"Can We Fix It?" is the name of the theme song, written by Paul K. Joyce, from the children's television programme Bob the Builder, produced by Hot Animation. The song's title is derived from the main character's catchphrase. The chorus of the song features this phrase prominently, as well as the response, "Yes we can!"
"Can We Fix It?" became a UK Christmas number one single in 2000, beating Westlife's "What Makes a Man" to the top spot. It was the biggest-selling single of the year in the United Kingdom, appearing 10th on the decade-end chart and 80th on the all-time UK best-sellers list. The song has sold over one million copies in the United Kingdom according to the Official Charts Company.[1] In September 2001, the song reached number one in Australia, becoming the ninth best-selling single of the year there.
A second single by Bob the Builder, "Mambo No. 5", with the lyrics adapted from Lou Bega's 1999 hit version, also reached number one on the UK chart in September 2001. An album entitled The Album followed, which debuted at No. 4 in the UK Albums Chart.
Critical reception
The song was rated 8/10 by Stylus Magazine, saying "kids TV themes getting to number one is a thing to be savoured, especially when a) it stops pretentious tosh like "Stan" from reigning at the top of the charts b) when it actually has a much better 2-step beat than any of the garage number ones from the previous 18 months."[2]
