Why Can't I Be You?
"Why Can't I Be You?" | ||||
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Single by the Cure | ||||
from the album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me | ||||
B-side | "A Japanese Dream" | |||
Released | 6 April 1987[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:14 | |||
Label | Fiction | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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The Cure singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Why Can't I Be You" (TopPop, 1987) on YouTube |
"Why Can't I Be You?" is a song by the English rock band the Cure, released as the lead single on the 6 April 1987 from their album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
History
"Why Can't I Be You?" was the first single released from the album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me—the band's seventh LP. On 14 April 1987, it peaked at number 21 on
Music video
The video for "Why Can't I Be You?" was filmed in early 1987, in between rehearsals for the Cure's first South American tour. It was directed by
Reception
In the NME's review of the single, writer Donald McRae singled out Smith's voice as the sole element of the song that "doesn't shout 'TEEN FUN'". Nonetheless, he praised the band, and concluded, "Shameless and cheap enough to steal Wham's 'Young Guns' riff, this ditty will soon be another Top of the Pops cracker".[11]
Stewart Mason of
Track listing
- 7"
- Fiction / Fics 25 (UK)
- "Why Can't I Be You?" (3:12)
- "A Japanese Dream" (3:27)
- 2x7"
- Fiction / Ficsg 25 (UK)
- "Why Can't I Be You?" (3:13)
- "A Japanese Dream" (3:30)
- "Six Different Ways (Live)" (3:32)
- "Push (Live)" (4:42)
Live tracks taken from the concert film The Cure in Orange
- 12"
- Fiction / Ficsx 25 (UK)
- "Why Can't I Be You? (12" Remix)" (7:58)
- "A Japanese Dream (12" Remix)" (5:42)
Remixed by
- CD Video / 080 184-2 (UK)
- "Why Can't I Be You? (12" Remix)" (8:10)
- "A Japanese Dream (12" Remix)" (5:52)
- "Hey You!!!" (2:23)
- "Why Can't I Be You? (Video)" (3:31)
Video directed by Tim Pope
Personnel
- Robert Smith - Vocals, Guitar
- Porl Thompson- Guitar
- Simon Gallup - Bass
- Boris Williams - Drums
- François Kevorkian, Roy St. Germain - Remix
Cover versions
In June 2021 the female-fronted band Berlin Banter released a Trip Hop remake of "Why Can't I Be You?".
References
- Apter, Jeff. Never Enough: The Story of the Cure. Omnibus Press, 2005. ISBN 1-84449-827-1.
Notes
- ISSN 0144-5804.
- ^ a b Mason, Stewart. "Why Can't I Be You?" Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2013.
- ^ Ramirez, AJ (13 December 2011). "Snubbed!: Why the Cure Deserves to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ Molanphy, Chris (October 31, 2019). "The Lost and Lonely Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Cure. OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2013.
- ^ The Cure - Awards. Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2013.
- ^ Paul Nolan - Disintegration Once Again. Hot Press/Pressreader.com. Retrieved on 21 April 2021.
- ^ Éamon Sweeney - What does a seaside Irish town and three of the biggest bands of all time have in common?. Medium.com. Retrieved on 21 April 2021.
- ^ Apter, p. 226–227
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "A Quietus Interview: A Long Term Effect: Tim Pope On Four Decades Of Work With The Cure". The Quietus. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ McRae, Donald. "Why Can't I Be You?" single review. NME. 18 April 1987.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me (review). Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2013.