Why Can't We Be Friends? (song)

Last updated

"Why Can't We Be Friends?"
War Why Can't We Be Friends single.jpg
Single by War
from the album Why Can't We Be Friends?
B-side "In Mazatlan"
ReleasedApril 1975
Genre
Length3:50
Label United Artists
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Jerry Goldstein
War singles chronology
"Ballero"
(1974)
"Why Can't We Be Friends?"
(1975)
"Low Rider"
(1975)
Music video
Why Can't We Be Friends on YouTube

"Why Can't We Be Friends?" is a song by American funk band War, from their 1975 studio album of the same name. It has a simple structure, with the phrase "Why can't we be friends?" being sung four times after each two-line verse amounting to forty-four times in under four minutes. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1975, and uniquely features each band member singing their own verse. It was played in outer space when NASA beamed it to the linking of Soviet cosmonauts and U.S. astronauts for the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. [3] Billboard ranked it as the No. 23 song of that year.

Contents

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [10] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Smash Mouth version

"Why Can't We Be Friends?"
Smash Mouth - Why Can't We Be Friends (single cover).jpg
Single by Smash Mouth
from the album Fush Yu Mang
ReleasedJanuary 12, 1998 (1998-01-12) [11]
Genre
Length
  • 4:46 (album version)
  • 3:17 (radio edit)
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s) Papa Dee Allen, Harold Ray Brown, B. B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, Howard E. Scott
Producer(s) Eric Valentine
Smash Mouth singles chronology
"The Fonz"
(1997)
"Why Can't We Be Friends?"
(1998)
"Can't Get Enough of You Baby"
(1998)
Music video
"Why Can't We Be Friends?" on YouTube

American pop rock band Smash Mouth covered the song on their debut album, Fush Yu Mang , and released it as the album's third single in January 1998.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Hot on the heels of 'Walkin' On The Sun' comes a wonderfully festive, anthemic rendition of War's pop/R&B chestnut. The song's original funk-flavored arrangement proves perfectly accessible to Smash mouth's pop/ska style. The heartfelt 'let's get along' tone of the lyrics remains as relevant as ever to today's social and political climate, and the band's rousing approach makes the message all the more user-friendly to the pop masses. Another sure-fire multi-format hit from the album Fush Yu Mang ." [13]

Charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [14] 67
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) [15] 19
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [16] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [17] 89
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [18] 39
Spain (AFYVE) [19] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [20] 29
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [21] 28

Sean Kingson version

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smash Mouth</span> American rock band

Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994 and was originally composed of Steve Harwell, Kevin Coleman (drums), Greg Camp (guitar), and Paul De Lisle (bass). With Harwell's departure in 2021, De Lisle is now the only original member. They are known for their songs "Walkin' on the Sun" (1997), "All Star" (1999), and "Then The Morning Comes" (1999), as well as a cover of The Monkees' "I'm a Believer" (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Martin</span> Swedish record producer and songwriter (born 1971)

Karl Martin Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish record producer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s with songwriting credits on a string of hit singles, such as Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" (1998), the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way" (1999), Celine Dion's "That's the Way It Is" (1999) and NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me" (2000).

<i>Fush Yu Mang</i> 1997 Smash Mouth album

Fush Yu Mang is the debut studio album by American rock band Smash Mouth, released on July 8, 1997, by Interscope Records. It includes their first major hit, "Walkin' on the Sun". The title of the album was taken from a line slurred by Al Pacino in Scarface. The cover of the album features the band flying through space in guitarist Greg Camp's 1962 Ford Falcon Squire wagon, with a band member's outstretched arm giving the finger. The title is written in a stylized, pseudo-Asian font. The album also features a cover version of War's "Why Can't We Be Friends?". The initial release was given a Parental Advisory label, while later releases were not. Fush Yu Mang has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA in the U.S. for sales in excess of 2 million.

<i>Astro Lounge</i> 1999 studio album by Smash Mouth

Astro Lounge is the second studio album by American rock band Smash Mouth, released on June 8, 1999 by Interscope Records. It includes the single "All Star", which is widely considered as the group's signature song and topped the US Billboard Hot 100. Three other singles were also released from the album, including "Waste", "Then the Morning Comes", and a cover version of The Four Seasons's "Can't Get Enough of You Baby".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's the Same Old Song</span> 1965 single by the Four Tops

"It's the Same Old Song" was recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label. It was released in 1965 as the second single from their second album. Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is today one of The Tops' signatures, and was reportedly created—from initial concept to commercial release—in 24 hours. It reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard R&B chart. It also reached #34 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm a Believer</span> Neil Diamond song made famous by the Monkees

"I'm a Believer" is a song written by Neil Diamond and recorded by American band the Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966, and remained there for seven weeks becoming the last number-one hit of 1966 and the biggest-selling single for all of 1967. Billboard ranked the record as the number-five song for 1967. While originally published by Screen Gems-Columbia Music (BMI), it is now published by Stonebridge Music/EMI Foray Music (SESAC), with administration passed to Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Times a Lady</span> 1978 single by Commodores

"Three Times a Lady" is a 1978 song by American soul group Commodores for their album Natural High, written by lead singer Lionel Richie. It was produced by James Anthony Carmichael and Commodores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When the Lights Go Out (song)</span> 1998 single by British boy band Five

"When the Lights Go Out" is the second single released from British group Five's debut studio album, Five (1998). It was released in early 1998. The song was co-written by the group alongside Eliot Kennedy, Tim Lever and Mike Percy, and John McLaughlin. It was co-produced by Kennedy, Lever and Percy, with the US version receiving additional production from Cutfather & Joe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Star (song)</span> 1999 single by Smash Mouth

"All Star" is a song by the American rock band Smash Mouth from their second studio album, Astro Lounge (1999). Written by Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine, the song was released on May 4, 1999, as the first single from Astro Lounge. The song was one of the last tracks to be written for Astro Lounge, after the band's record label Interscope requested more songs that could be released as singles. In writing it, Camp drew musical influence from contemporary music by artists like Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind, and sought out to create an "anthem" for outcasts. In contrast to the more ska punk style of Smash Mouth's debut album Fush Yu Mang (1997), the song features a more radio-friendly style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low Rider</span> 1975 single by War

"Low Rider" is a song written by American funk band War and producer Jerry Goldstein, which appeared on their album Why Can't We Be Friends?, released in 1975. It reached number one on the Billboard R&B singles chart, peaked at number seven on the Hot 100 singles chart, and number six in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk On By</span> 1964 single by Dionne Warwick

"Walk On By" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963. Warwick's recording of the song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Cash Box Rhythm and Blues Chart In June 1964 and was nominated for a 1965 Grammy Award for the Best Rhythm and Blues Recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walkin' on the Sun</span> 1997 single by Smash Mouth

"Walkin' on the Sun" is a song by American rock band Smash Mouth from their first album, Fush Yu Mang (1997). Released as their debut single in June 1997, the song was Smash Mouth's first major single, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. It was also a success abroad, peaking at No. 3 in Canada and Iceland, No. 5 in Italy and Spain, and No. 7 in Australia, where it is certified platinum for shipments exceeding 70,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Can't This Be Love</span> 1986 single by Van Halen

"Why Can't This Be Love" is a song by the American rock band Van Halen for their seventh studio album, 5150 (1986). The song was the group's first single with Sammy Hagar, replacing founding member David Lee Roth. It was released on both 7" and 12" formats with the latter having an extended version featuring extra lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Offspring discography</span>

The Offspring, a Southern California-based punk rock band, has released 10 studio albums, four extended plays (EP), two compilation albums, five demos, three video albums, and over 30 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Nation Under a Groove (song)</span> 1978 single by Funkadelic

"One Nation Under a Groove" is a 1978 song by Funkadelic, the title track from their album of the same name. It has endured as a dance funk classic and is probably Funkadelic's most widely known song. "One Nation Under a Groove" was Funkadelic's first million selling single, as well as the third million selling single for the P-Funk organization overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Then the Morning Comes</span> 1999 single by Smash Mouth

"Then the Morning Comes" is a song by American band Smash Mouth. It was released in September 1999 as the second single from the band's second studio album, Astro Lounge. The song was a successful follow-up to the international hit "All Star" in several nations, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two in Canada, number 17 in Iceland and number 22 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Know Why</span> 1969 single by Stevie Wonder

"I Don't Know Why" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, from the 1968 album For Once in My Life. It was released as a single on January 28, 1969, with "My Cherie Amour" on the B-side. A few months later, the single was re-issued with sides reversed because of the growing popularity of "My Cherie Amour", which became a Top Ten hit.

"Can't Get Enough of You Baby" is a song written by Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer and first recorded by the Four Seasons in 1965 for their album Working My Way Back to You and More Great New Hits. The protopunk band? and the Mysterians recorded it in 1967 for their second album Action. Their version reached No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released as a single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smash Mouth discography</span>

The discography of Smash Mouth, an American rock band, consists of seven studio albums, four compilation albums, 19 singles and 13 music videos. Their first studio album, Fush Yu Mang, was released in 1997. It peaked at number 19 in the US and was certified platinum two times by the RIAA. A single from the album, "Walkin' on the Sun", peaked at number 1 on the US Adult Top 40 and Alternative Songs charts and at number 3 in Canada. In 1999, Smash Mouth released their second studio album, Astro Lounge. Helped by the singles "Can't Get Enough of You Baby", "All Star", and "Then the Morning Comes", the album peaked at number 6 in the US and was certified platinum three times by the RIAA. "All Star" peaked at number 1 on the US Adult Top 40 chart and also reached the top five on the US Billboard Hot 100, US Alternative Songs, Australia, and Canada charts. "Then the Morning Comes" peaked at number 2 on the US Adult Top 40 and Canada charts.

<i>Anthology</i> (Juice Newton album) 1998 compilation album by Juice Newton

Anthology is a compilation album by country pop singer Juice Newton. It was originally released by Renaissance Records on October 13, 1998. The album covers her career from 1975 to 1989 and features 19 songs taken from her albums Juice Newton & Silver Spur, Juice, Quiet Lies, Can't Wait All Night, Old Flame, Emotion, and Ain't Gonna Cry. However, it includes the 1975 take of "The Sweetest Thing " from the first RCA album, not the 1981 hit version from Juice.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Melissa Ursula Dawn Goldsmith (November 22, 2019). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC-CLIO. pp. 62–. ISBN   978-1-4408-6579-4.
  2. Molanphy, Chris (October 15, 2022). "Give Up the Funk Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate . Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  3. Gabriel San Roman (December 23, 2010). "WAR Is the Answer (and the Question) for Lonnie Jordan". OC Weekly . Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 332. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  5. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. July 17, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  6. "War Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  7. "War Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Singles of 1975 - December 27, 1975" (PDF).
  9. "Top 100 Hits of 1975/Top 100 Songs of 1975". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  10. "American single certifications – War – Why Can't We Be Friends". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  11. "Upcoming New Releases". Hits . Vol. 11, no. 575. January 9, 1998. p. 34.
  12. "The 79 Best Alternative Rock Songs Of 1997". Spin. April 25, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  13. Flick, Larry (March 7, 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard . p. 61. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  14. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart Week Ending 24 May 1998". ARIA . Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  15. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (26.2 – 5.3. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 27, 1998. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  16. "Tipparade-lijst van week 20, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  17. "Smash Mouth – Why Can't We Be Friends" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  18. "Smash Mouth – Why Can't We Be Friends". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  19. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  20. "Smash Mouth – Why Can't We Be Friends". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  21. "Smash Mouth Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2018.