| Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me) | |
| Cover: | Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me) cover.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Boston |
| Album: | Third Stage |
| B-Side: | Cool the Engines |
| Released: | February 1987[1] |
| Recorded: | 1981–1983 |
| Studio: | Hideaway Studios |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Label: | MCA |
| Producer: | Tom Scholz |
| Prev Title: | We're Ready |
| Prev Year: | 1986 |
| Next Title: | Hollyann |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
"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 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.[2] It also reached #7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #27 on the Cashbox chart.[3] In Canada, the song peaked at #88.[4]
Although not released until 1986, Boston recorded "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" over 1981, 1982 and 1983.[5] The released version seamlessly combines what were originally separate songs.[6] According to the Third Stage liner notes, the song is about a reunion.[5] Scholz used the Rockman amplifier he invented to produce an effect in which the electric guitars sound like violins.[5] [7] "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.[8]
Boston Phoenix critic Milo Miles criticizes "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" as "tedium."[9] He singles out the line "Where there's a will there's a way" as an example of the song's "prosaic, cliched lyrics."[9] However, Billboard regarded the song as one of the "best bets" to follow up on the success of the #1 single from Third Stage, "Amanda."[10] Cash Box praised Scholz' guitar playing and said that Brad Delp's vocals are "stacked to the sky" to give "an overall rock/choir effect."[11] 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.[12] Jerry Spangler of the Deseret News praised the song as a ballad that sounds like a "sure-fire winner".[13] Paul Elliott of TeamRock.com rated it Boston's 8th greatest song.[6] Elliott said that this song along with "Still in Love" are "two great AOR songs in one."[14] Philip Booth of the Lakeland Ledger praises the song's "a cappella vocal opening."[15] Tom Alesia of The Wisconsin State Journal regards the song's title as Boston's worst.[16]
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.[17]