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Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)

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"Can'tcha Say"
Song
B-side"Cool the Engines"

"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] 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
Canadian Top Singles 88[3]
US Billboard Hot 100 20[1]
US Mainstream Rock 7[1]
UK (Official Charts Company) 82[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Third Stage awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ a b "RPM 100 Singles". 46 (4). Library and Archives Canada. May 2, 1987. Retrieved 2013-08-11. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Third Stage". Boston. Archived from the original on 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2013-08-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Elliott, Paul (March 10, 2016). "The 10 Greatest Boston Songs Ever". Future plc. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  6. ^ Samuels, L. (August 26, 1986). "After Eight Years Boston Delivers More of the Same Old Bombast". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  7. ^ Stix, J. (July 1987). "Tom Scholz: A Normal Life". Guitar. pp. 46–53, 101.
  8. ^ a b Miles, M. (October 21, 1986). "Pop-Pourri". Boston Phoenix. p. 40. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  9. ^ "Spotlight". Billboard Magazine. October 4, 1986. p. 78. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  10. ^ Pond, S. (October 5, 1986). "Boston Eight Years After". Los Angeles Times. p. 76. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  11. ^ Spangler, J. (October 31, 2013). "Former Musical Kings Attempt to Climb Back to the Top". Deseret News. p. 8W. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  12. ^ Booth, P. (October 2, 1987). "Boston Proves a Point". Lakeland Ledger. p. 12. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  13. ^ Alesia, T. (July 13, 2003). "Dinosaurs Rock Festival Near Eau Claire Becomes Haven for Fading Rockers". The Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2013-08-11. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  14. ^ "Don't Shoot! Give 'Greatest Hits' a Chance". San Antonio Express. August 1, 1997. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  15. ^ "Boston". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
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