"I Can't Make You Love Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Bonnie Raitt | ||||
from the album Luck of the Draw | ||||
Released | 22 October 1991 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 5:33 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Bonnie Raitt singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"I Can't Make You Love Me" on YouTube |
"I Can't Make You Love Me" is a song written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin and recorded by American singer Bonnie Raitt for her eleventh studio album, Luck of the Draw (1991). Released as the album's second single in 1991, "I Can't Make You Love Me" became one of Raitt's most successful singles, reaching the top-20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the top-10 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
In August 2000, Mojo magazine voted "I Can't Make You Love Me" the eighth best track on its The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time list. [1] The song was ranked at number 339 on the Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, later placing at number 372 on the 2021 ranking. [2] [3] On 27 November 2016, the Grammy Hall of Fame announced its induction, along with that of another 24 songs. [4]
"I Can't Make You Love Me" was written by Nashville writers Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, who were well-noted for their successes in the country music arena. The song was rewritten many times before being finalized, months later. "We wrote, most every week, in Mike's basement," Shamblin told Peter Cooper in an interview with the Nashville Tennessean. "And we'd worked on this song for more than six months. One day, he said, 'Come up to the living room,' where his piano was. He sat down and started playing this melody, and it was one of the most moving pieces of music I'd heard. I mean, it hit me in a hard way ... Instantly, I knew it was the best thing I'd ever been a part of." [5] Reid and Shamblin were both country music songwriters, who according to some accounts originally wrote the song as a fast, bluegrass number. Upon slowing down the tempo considerably, they realized the song gained considerable power and thought about giving the song to one of three artists: Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler or Linda Ronstadt. Eventually, the song made its way to Bonnie Raitt, who recorded the track for her eleventh studio album, Luck of the Draw (1991). Raitt co-produced the song with Don Was, while Bruce Hornsby provided a piano accompaniment. [6]
The idea for the song came to Reid while reading an article about a man arrested for getting drunk and shooting at his girlfriend's car. The judge asked him if he had learned anything, to which he replied, "I learned, Your Honor, that you can't make a woman love you if she don't." [7]
Raitt recorded the vocal in just one take in the studio, later saying that it was so sad a song that she could not recapture the emotion: "We'd try to do it again and I just said, 'You know, this ain't going to happen.'" [8]
A pensive ballad, "I Can't Make You Love Me" was recorded against a quiet electric piano-based arrangement, with prominent piano fills and interpolations supplied by Bruce Hornsby.
"I Can't Make You Love Me" received acclaim from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised the track, calling it a "strong song" and picking it as one of the album's best tracks. [9] Steve Hochman of Los Angeles Times hailed the song as one of Raitt's most elegant tracks. [10] Elysa Gardner wrote for Rolling Stone that "Raitt's gorgeously understated rendering of 'I Can't Make You Love Me,' in which sentiments such as 'I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power/But you won't' are delivered with a quiet resignation that's worth a hundred glissandi in emotional weight." [11]
"I Can't Make You Love Me" entered many lists of the greatest songs of all time. In 2000, Mojo magazine placed it at number 8 on its "100 Greatest Songs of All Time" list. [6] The song is also ranked No. 339 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. [2] The website "Ultimate Classic Rock" placed the song at number 24 on their "25 Saddest Songs Ever", praising Bonnie Raitt vocals, writing that "she sings in one of her most impassioned vocals ever. There's real ache in every word that drips from her pained lips." [12]
The song's popularity helped solidify her remarkable late-in-career commercial success that had begun two years before. In the time since, "I Can't Make You Love Me" has gone on to become a pop standard and a mainstay of adult contemporary radio formats. For Raitt, the song was notoriously difficult to sing, due to its required vocal range, difficult phrasing and breathing, and the emotional content involved. At the televised Grammy Awards of 1992 Raitt performed it in an even more austere setting than on record, with just her and Hornsby highlighted. As she negotiated the final vocal line, she let out a big audible and visible sigh of relief that she had successfully gotten through it. Her live performance of the song was released on the 1994 album Grammy's Greatest Moments Volume III. [13] Raitt has continued to sing the song in all her concert tours:
I mean, 'I Can't Make You Love Me' is no picnic. I love that song, so does the audience. So it's almost a sacred moment when you share that, that depth of pain with your audience. Because they get really quiet, and I have to summon ... some other place in order to honor that space.
The video for this song uses the shorter single version of the song. Filmed in color, but transferred to video for black-and-white, with vibrant lighting effects, it features Raitt performing the song in front of a curtain with a silhouette of a pianist in the background (played by Bruce Hornsby, who actually plays piano on the record), while in other scenes, a scorching fire is taking place outdoors and many shadows of trees, branches, and even people at times are seen swaying to the song's rhythm. The music video was directed, photographed and edited by acclaimed director/photographer/illustrator Matt Mahurin, who has directed videos for artists including U2, Peter Gabriel, REM and Sting.
The song was a big hit for Raitt, reaching number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. [15] The song placed at number 100 on the Billboard Year-End chart of 1992. [16] In New Zealand, the song was Raitt's highest charting-single, reaching number 22, [17] while in Netherlands, the song charted moderately at number 43. [18]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
"I Can't Make You Love Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by George Michael | ||||
from the album Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael | ||||
A-side | "Older" | |||
Released | 13 January 1997 [27] | |||
Length | 5:23 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | George Michael | |||
George Michael singles chronology | ||||
|
English singer George Michael covered "I Can't Make You Love Me" and released it on 13 January 1997 as a double A-side with "Older", serving as the fourth single from Michael's third studio album, Older . Michael's version was also included on his compilation Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1998). "Older" / "I Can't Make You Love Me" reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.
After the release of his second studio album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990), George Michael started a legal battle with his label, Sony Music, declaring his contract was financially inequitable and creatively stifling. Michael sued Sony to end his contract, leading to a long and costly legal battle that ended in 1995, with Michael signing to the newly launched DreamWorks Records label in the United States and Virgin in the rest of the world. [28] In 1996, the singer released the song "Jesus to a Child", which became a huge hit worldwide, followed by "Fastlove" and "Spinning the Wheel", which also became successful songs from his third studio album, Older (1996). [29] [30]
While choosing the fourth single from the album, the title track "Older" was announced as the chosen one, with an EP titled the Older EP being released to promote the song. The EP features four tracks, including "Older", "The Strangest Thing" (also from the album Older) and two covers: the famous Brazilian song "Desafinado" and Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me", [31] which became the official B-side of the single. Since it was released as a B-side to "Older", "I Can't Make You Love Me" also entered the UK Singles Chart at number three. [30]
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scotland (OCC) [32] | 6 |
UK Singles (OCC) [30] | 3 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [33] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
"I Can't Make You Love Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Boyz II Men | ||||
from the album Love | ||||
Released | 27 October 2009 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 5:17 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Boyz II Men singles chronology | ||||
|
American R&B vocal group Boyz II Men recorded "I Can't Make You Love Me" for their third cover album, Love (2009). Their version was released as the album's first single on 27 October 2009. Having a more R&B approach, "I Can't Make You Love Me" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, while it has achieved minor success on the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
After releasing their second cover album in 2007, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA , which was well received by critics, but failed to produce a successful single, the band announced plans for a new cover album, that features cover versions of songs by "artists I don't think people would expect us to cover," according to member Shawn Stockman. [34] On 23 October 2009, "I Can't Make You Love Me" was announced as Love's lead-single. [35] The song was later released on 27 October 2009 through iTunes Store. [36] For the band members, "We wanted to stay true to our roots, and it's a very beautiful song. And with our sound, we gave it an R&B twist. It's always been a favorite of ours, and we hope people will fall in love with it again." [37]
A writer for Soul Bounce wrote that "The biggest surprise on this album is the bluesy interpretation of Bonnie Rait's country hit, 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. Starting with strong lyrics and a deep fried instrumental, the Boyz make this song their own with their unique flow providing good contrast to a familiar melodic line." [38] Los Angeles Theatre called it an "impassioned" performance. [39] On the charts, the song performed very modestly, reaching number 75 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [40]
Chart (2009) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs [40] | 75 |
"I Can't Make You Love Me" | |
---|---|
Song by Adele | |
from the album Live at the Royal Albert Hall | |
Recorded | 22 September 2011 |
Genre | Soul |
Length | 3:39 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
In 2011, English singer Adele covered "I Can't Make You Love Me" for her first live album, Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2011). The song was acclaimed by music critics, who praised Adele's delivery and vocals. The song has charted on the UK Singles Chart, reaching the top-forty, although it was never released as a single.
In addition to receiving positive reviews from music critics, Adele's second album 21 became one of the most successful albums of the 2010s, being the biggest selling musical release for both 2011 and 2012 and entering the Guinness World Records . While promoting the album and its third single, "Set Fire to the Rain", Adele performed on the iTunes Festival London 2011. On the setlist, Adele performed tracks from 21 and a cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me". Before performing the track, Adele stated that it was one of her favorite songs and described it as "perfect in every way". She added that Bonnie Raitt has a "stunning voice" and went on to compliment the lyrics, calling them "mind-blowing". [41]
After the positive response of the iTunes Festival performance, Adele covered once again the track, during her first live album, Live at the Royal Albert Hall , recorded on 22 September 2011. She made further comment over the song, saying, "It blows me away" and further adding that she thought the song was "incredibly moving". Adele also commented on the emotions the song gives her, saying, "It makes me really, really happy and really, really devastated and depressed at the same time. It makes me think of my fondest and best times in my life, and it makes me think of the worst as well, and combined, probably is a recipe for disaster, but I do love this song. It's just fucking stunning." [42]
While reviewing her iTunes Festival performance, David Smyth of London Evening Standard wrote that Adele sang the song "with raw expressiveness." [43] Andrew Leahey of AllMusic wrote that the cover "made all the more tender by the rarely heard frailties in Adele's voice." [44] Donald Gibson of Seattle Pi wrote that "she breathes new life into Bonnie Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me,' with similar intimacy and conviction." [45]
While reviewing her Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVD, critics lauded Adele's rendition. Andy Gill of The Independent called it an "impassioned version," [46] while Alex Young of Consequence of Sound named it "heartfelt and stunning." [47] Kit O'Toole of Blogcritics praised her rendition, writing that it "retains its heart-wrenching, devastating mood thanks to Adele's multi-layered voice. Hearing her perform this song, one would imagine her as an older woman who has survived lifelong heartaches instead of a 23-year-old." [48] Maria Schurr of PopMatters lauded the covers (Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love") on the live album, naming "the most successful," writing that "both seem deeply heartfelt, like Adele understands, and is the only one who can make these words that are not hers ring true." [49] Chris Willman of The Wrap called it "a classic of unrequited love that you'd have to swear she wrote if Bonnie Raitt hadn't turned it into the ultimate female weepie back when Adele was 2." [50]
Despite not being released as a single, "I Can't Make You Love Me" debuted at number 53 on the UK Singles Chart week of 30 September 2012. [51] It later peaked at number 37, on the following week, 6 October 2012, [52] becoming her eighth top-forty song and first non-single top-forty hit.
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
Irish Singles Chart [53] | 78 |
Scottish Singles Chart [54] | 34 |
UK Singles Chart [52] | 37 |
"I Can't Make You Love Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Priyanka Chopra | ||||
Released | 22 April 2014 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:38 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Manual "DJ Manian" Reuter | |||
Priyanka Chopra singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"I Can't Make You Love Me" on YouTube |
In 2014, Indian actress and singer Priyanka Chopra recorded a version of "I Can't Make You Love Me" for her debut studio album. Speaking about the song, Chopra said "This is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It's my ode to a classic, a song that I love, and one that says so much – this is for the actor in me." [55] Chopra's version of the song incorporates electronic dance music (EDM) and electropop in its production, [56] [57] which comes courtesy of German producer Manuel "DJ Manian" Reuter. Andy Gensler from Billboard commented on how different Chopra's version was from the original by Raitt, saying that "Chopra's more uptempo take on the song is more likely to connect with a generation of ravers with no idea of the song's origin" [58] The up-tempo version was demoed by American singer Ester Dean at the request of Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine. [58]
It was released on 22 April 2014, by DesiHits, in association with 2101 Records and Interscope Records. [59] [60] It is the third internationally released single following "In My City" (featuring will.i.am), which failed to achieve airplay in the United States, [61] and "Exotic". In the United Kingdom, "I Can't Make You Love Me" was originally planned to be Chopra's debut single. [57]
Chopra's version of "I Can't Make You Love Me" was used to promote Beats by Dre. In a press release, it was revealed that the song would be used in the launch of a new campaign for the popular Beats Pill XL portable Bluetooth speaker. Chopra and her new track would be featured in the national ad campaign, that ran nationwide from May 1 through May 25. [62]
An accompanying music video was filmed in Los Angeles in February 2014. [63] It was conceptualised and directed by duo Jeff Nicholas and Jonathan Craven of The Uprising Creative. [60] Actor Milo Ventimiglia plays Chopra's love interest and scenes include Chopra throwing coloured paint at Ventimiglia as part of celebrations for the Indian festival of Holi, as well as embraces between the couple and solo scenes with Chopra. [63] According to NDTV, the video charts a fictional relationship that "goes from loving to hellish". [64] Behind the scenes footage was released to Access Hollywood. [65] It premiered in New York City on 30 April 2014. [56] Gensler noted that the video also contained product placement for Nokia and Beats by Dre speakers. [58]
News18 said, "The singer certainly sounds great, so much that it's almost unbelievable it is Priyanka Chopra. The number is definitely foot-tapping and you're going to be hearing this one at every restaurant and club in the days to come" and added that Chopra had "definitely done a great job recreating the Bonnie Raitt song". [66]
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ( Billboard ) [67] | 28 |
Canadian country music duo The Johner Brothers covered the song on their 1999 album The Perfect Life. [68]
Bon Iver covered the song in June 2011. A version of the cover is available on YouTube. [69] [70]
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. In 1971, Raitt released her self-titled debut album. Following this, she released a series of critically acclaimed roots-influenced albums that incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk, and country. She was also a frequent session player and collaborator with other artists, including Warren Zevon, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, the Pointer Sisters, John Prine, and Leon Russell.
Boyz II Men is an American vocal harmony group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. Formed in 1985, they have been a trio composed of baritone Nathan Morris alongside tenors Wanyá Morris and Shawn Stockman since 2003. During the 1990s, Boyz II Men was a quartet with bass singer, Michael McCary, who left the group in 2003 due to health issues that were diagnosed as multiple sclerosis.
Nick of Time is the tenth studio album by the American singer Bonnie Raitt, released on March 21, 1989. It was Raitt's first album released by Capitol Records. A commercial breakthrough after years of personal and professional struggles, Nick of Time topped the Billboard 200 chart, selling five million copies, and won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, which was presented to Raitt and producer Don Was. In 2003, the album was ranked number 229 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, then was re-ranked at number 230 on the 2012 list. As of September 2020, it is ranked at number 492. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 2022, the album was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Give It Up is the second studio album by American musician Bonnie Raitt. Released in 1972 by Warner Bros. Records, Give It Up is an amalgamation of various genres, including folk, blues, R&B, and soft rock. Seven of the ten tracks on the album are covers, and the tracks range from soft sentimental ballads to fast-paced folk rock pieces. Lyrically, Give It Up revolves around Raitt's femininity, relationships, and being comfortable with herself. Raitt recorded the album at Bearsville Studios with producer Michael Cuscuna.
Takin' My Time is the third studio album by American musician Bonnie Raitt. It was released in 1973 by Warner Bros. Records. The album is an amalgamation of several different genres, including blues, folk, jazz, New Orleans rhythm and blues, and calypso. The 10 tracks on the album are covers, ranging from soft sentimental ballads to upbeat, rhythmic-heavy tracks. Lowell George was originally hired to handle the production, but was ultimately replaced by John Hall when Raitt became unhappy with his production.
"Something to Talk About" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Shirley Eikhard and recorded by American singer Bonnie Raitt for her 1991 album Luck of the Draw. It was serviced to US radio on June 3, 1991. Two single versions were released: a 7-inch single with the B-side "One Part Be My Lover" and a 12-inch single with these two songs and "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again". In turn, this song was included on the EP version of Raitt’s 2000 single of "The Fundamental Things" taken from her 1998 album Fundamental. It was also included in 2003’s greatest hits compilation The Best of Bonnie Raitt. Live versions appear on 1995's Road Tested and 2006's Bonnie Raitt and Friends.
"Make You Feel My Love", also known as "To Make You Feel My Love", is a song written by Bob Dylan for his album Time Out of Mind, released in September 1997. It was first released commercially in August 1997 by Billy Joel for his compilation album Greatest Hits Volume III.
Ivan Neville is an American multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of Aaron Neville and nephew to the other members of The Neville Brothers.
"The Girl Can't Help It" is the title song to the film The Girl Can't Help It, with words and music by songwriter Bobby Troup. It was performed by Little Richard and was released in December 1956. In the US, the song peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart and No. 7 on the R&B Best Sellers Chart. Overseas, "The Girl Can't Help It" peaked at No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart. It was ranked at No. 413 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Originally, Fats Domino was lined up to record the track, which was not written as a rock song.
"Older" is a song by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released as the fourth single from his third album, Older (1996). It was also released as an EP under the name The Older EP. The single's other A-side is a cover of Bonnie Raitt's song "I Can't Make You Love Me". The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart while becoming a top-ten hit in Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, and Spain.
This article lists the discography of American blues and rock singer and songwriter Bonnie Raitt.
"I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" is an R&B song written and recorded by American singer Barbara George, released as her debut single in 1961. It became her signature song and her only major hit in United States, reaching No.1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and No.3 in the Hot 100. It was later covered by various artists, inducing Fats Domino, Cher, Ike & Tina Turner, and Bonnie Raitt. A Spanish version by Marisela topped Billboard's Latin chart in 1988. The Shirelles borrowed the melody of "I Know" for their 1963 cover of "Everybody Loves A Lover".
"Rumour Has It" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). The song was written by Adele and Ryan Tedder; the latter is also the producer. Adele has stated that the song was not inspired by the media but it was aimed at her own friends who believed 'rumours' they read about her in tabloids. It was released on 5 November 2011 as the fourth single from the album in the United Kingdom.
Slipstream is the sixteenth studio album by Bonnie Raitt, released in April 2012. American Songwriter Magazine praised it as "her best album in years and one of the best of her 40-year career."
"Turning Tables" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). Conceived after an altercation with her former lover, the song was co-written by Adele and singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder, whilst the production was completed by Jim Abbiss. "Turning Tables" is a pop ballad with a soulful sound; its instrumentation consists of piano, "Broadway-worthy" strings, and guitar. Lyrically, the song describes a domestic dispute in which its narrator assumes a defensive stance against a manipulative ex-lover. XL Recordings sent the song to UK mainstream radio on 5 November 2011 as the fifth single from 21 along with "Rumour Has It".
"In My City" is the debut single by Indian recording artist and actress Priyanka Chopra, featuring American rapper will.i.am. The song was produced by RedOne, Rush and Brian Kennedy, and was co-written by Ester Dean, who provides additional vocals. The demo version of "In My City" was first played by will.i.am to Chopra, who was impressed with the track and decided to record it. The song is a homage to Chopra's nomadic childhood and journey from being a small-town girl to being a successful actor. "In My City" premiered on 13 September 2012, at the NFL Network's Thursday Night Football. The next day, the song was released for digital downloads to Nokia Music Store along with CD single.
"Exotic" is the second single by Indian recording artist Priyanka Chopra, featuring American rapper Pitbull. The song was released as a single by Interscope Records on July 9, 2013. "Exotic" was written by Chopra, Pitbull and RedOne, who also produced the song. It contains both English and Hindi lyrics.
Aika Hirahara, known mononymously as Aika, is a Japanese singer-songwriter, currently residing in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is known for her 2006 debut album Ai-Wo, with its songs "Orange Moon" and "Ai-wo", which reached the top 10 in Japanese charts on its first week of its release. Her second studio album was released in February 2017. In 2018, she released "Heard an Angel." She co-wrote the gold-certified song "Path of Independence" for her sister, Ayaka Hirahara.
"Love Sneakin' Up On You" is a song by American blues singer Bonnie Raitt. Released in March 1994 from her 12th album, Longing in Their Hearts (1994), the song topped Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart for three weeks and reached number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted in Germany and the United Kingdom. In 1995, it was nominated for both the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Meiert Avis directed the song's music video.
"Nick of Time" is a song by American blues musician Bonnie Raitt. Taken as the third single from her 10th solo album of the same name (1989), the song was released in May 1990. The song debuted at number 94 and reached its peak of 92 a week later on the Hot 100 chart. It also earned a top 10 placement on the Adult Contemporary Chart.