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Baby Can I Hold You

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"Baby Can I Hold You"
Single by Tracy Chapman
from the album Tracy Chapman
B-side
  • "Across the Lines"
  • "If Not Now..."
  • "Mountains o' Things" (live)
ReleasedOctober 1, 1988
Genre
Length3:14
LabelElektra, Asylum
Songwriter(s)Tracy Chapman
Producer(s)David Kershenbaum
Tracy Chapman singles chronology
"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution"
(1988) 		"Baby Can I Hold You"
(1988) 		"Crossroads"
(1989)
"Wedding Song"
(2000)
"Baby Can I Hold You"
(2001)
"You're the One"
(2002)
Music video
"Baby Can I Hold You" on YouTube

"Baby Can I Hold You" is the third single released by American contemporary folk artist Tracy Chapman, released in October 1988. The song reached the top 50 in the United States, unlike its predecessor, "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", but it failed to become Chapman's second top 40 hit, peaking at number 48. It did, however, give her a second chart entry on the US Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at number 19 in early 1989. Given the commercial decline Chapman suffered following the release of her second album Crossroads, "Baby Can I Hold You" also became her last top 50 hit until 1996's "Give Me One Reason". In July 1990, the song reached number one in Portugal. Chapman re-released the song in 2001, in support of her first greatest hits album Collection.

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1988–1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[3] 68
Brazil (ABPD)[4] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] 27
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[6] 89
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 16
Portugal (AFP)[8] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 94
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 48
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[11] 19

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[12] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[13]
sales since 2000 		Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Boyzone version

[edit]
"Baby Can I Hold You"
Single by Boyzone
from the album Where We Belong
A-side"Shooting Star"
ReleasedNovember 24, 1997 (1997-11-24)[14]
StudioLansdowne (London, England)
Length3:16
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)Tracy Chapman
Producer(s)Stephen Lipson
Boyzone singles chronology
"Picture of You"
(1997) 		"Baby Can I Hold You" / "Shooting Star"
(1997) 		"All That I Need"
(1998)
Music video
"Baby Can I Hold You" on YouTube

In 1997, Irish boy band Boyzone released a cover of "Baby Can I Hold You" as a double A-side with the non-album track "Shooting Star". "Baby Can I Hold You" thus became their second single from their third studio album, Where We Belong (1998). The single, like "Picture of You" before it, peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the top 75 for 14 weeks. The song was the 26th-best-selling single of 1997 in the United Kingdom and has received a platinum sales certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of over 600,000 units. The song reappeared on lead singer Ronan Keating's greatest-hits compilation 10 Years of Hits.

Critical reception

[edit]

A reviewer from Music Week gave Boyzone's version of "Baby Can I Hold You" three out of five, declaring it as a "teary cover", that "will be a school disco favourite."[15] The magazine's Alan Jones wrote, "Still leading the pack of boy bands, Boyzone are going to have a massive hit with their thoughtful and poignant cover of Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, a fine Tracy Chapman song that somehow never got the attention it deserved. Nicely understated, with Ronan's restrained lead given depth and richness by the pleasing vocal arrangement indulged in by his fellow 'Zoners, and a mandolin."[16] Claudia Connell from News of the World commented, "Few groups do cover songs well-but Boyzone are the exception to the rule. This version (...) is something special and once again proves that few male singers are as hot as Ronan Keating."[17]

Track listings

[edit]
  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" (7-inch edit) – 3:16
  2. "Shooting Star" – 4:13
  3. "Mystical Experience" – 4:10
  4. "Mystical Experience" (remix) – 4:36
  • UK CD2 (in limited-edition digipak)[19]
  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" (7-inch edit) – 3:16
  2. "Shooting Star" (radio edit) – 4:11
  3. "Words" (Spanglish version) – 4:04
  4. "From Here to Eternity" – 3:54
  • UK cassette single[20]
  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" (7-inch edit) – 3:16
  2. "Shooting Star" – 4:11

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are lifted from the By Request album booklet.[21]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Ronan Keating version

[edit]
"Baby Can I Hold You"
Single by Ronan Keating
from the album 10 Years of Hits
ReleasedJuly 6, 2005
Recorded2004
GenrePop
Length3:14
LabelPolydor Records
Songwriter(s)Tracy Chapman
Producer(s)Steve Mac
Ronan Keating singles chronology
"Father and Son"
(2004) 		"Baby Can I Hold You"
(2005) 		"All Over Again"
(2006)

In 2005, Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating released his own cover of "Baby Can I Hold You" as the third and final single from his greatest hits compilation, 10 Years of Hits. It became the second song that he originally recorded with Boyzone to be re-released for his own solo career. In the United Kingdom, the single was only released via digital download and thus it failed to chart. In Germany, the single received a full-scale release and peaked at number 42 on the German Singles Chart.

Track listings

[edit]

Digital download

  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" – 3:14

German CD single[43]

  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" (German Radio Mix) – 3:10
  2. "Baby Can I Hold You" (Live & Acoustic) – 3:09
  3. "This Is Your Song" (Live At Wembley Arena) – 4:38
  4. "Life Is A Rollercoaster" (Live & Acoustic) – 3:47

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2005) Peak
position
Germany (GfK)[44] 42
[edit]

The song created buzz in popular media in 2018, when Nicki Minaj used an interpolation of "Baby Can I Hold You" in her song "Sorry" featuring Nas. Minaj had used the sample believing it was from the song "Sorry" by Shelly Thunder, unaware that song was actually a cover of "Baby Can I Hold You".[45] Minaj left the song off her fourth studio album due to clearance issues, but the song was leaked to Funkmaster Flex shortly after the album's release in August.[46] In October that year, Chapman sued Minaj for copyright infringement, claiming that Minaj leaked the song to Flex after Chapman denied her team's request for clearance of the song multiple times beginning in June.[47][48][49][50][51][52] In September 2020, District Court judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled in favor of Minaj stating that Minaj's experimentation with Chapman's song constitutes fair use rather than copyright infringement.[53] In January 2021, the dispute was settled when Minaj paid Chapman $450,000 to avoid a pending trial.[54]

Cover versions

[edit]

In 2000, Chapman re-recorded the song as a duet with Luciano Pavarotti for the CD Pavarotti and Friends for Cambodia and Tibet.[citation needed]

In 2021, singer-songwriter Drew Pizzulo released a holiday version of the song entitled "Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, Christmastime" which topped the Christmas Chart, peaked at #2 in Pop and #6 in the Cover Charts on Soundclick.com.[55]

Neil Diamond also covered the song in his 1988 album, The Best Years of Our Lives.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Whiteley, Sheila (2000). Women and Popular Music: Sexuality, Identity, and Subjectivity. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780415211901.
  2. ^ "Tracy Chapman | Roots Rock Review". April 6, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  4. ^ "Discos más populares de Latinoamérica". El Siglo de Torreón. January 30, 1989. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  5. ^ "RPM 100 Singles" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 14. February 4, 1989. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Baby Can I Hold You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Baby Can I Hold You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  8. ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 28. July 14, 1990. p. VII. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  10. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  12. ^ "Danish single certifications – Tracy Chapman – Baby Can I Hold you". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  13. ^ "British single certifications – Tracy Chapman – Baby Can I Hold you". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 22, 1997. p. 37. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  15. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 15, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  16. ^ Jones, Alan (November 15, 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  17. ^ Connell, Claudia (December 7, 1997). "[1] Single review; The Craic". News of the World.
  18. ^ Baby Can I Hold You / Shooting Star (UK CD1 liner notes). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1997. 569165-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Baby Can I Hold You / Shooting Star (UK CD2 liner notes). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1997. 569167-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Baby Can I Hold You / Shooting Star (UK cassette single sleeve). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1997. 569164-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ By Request (UK CD album booklet). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1999. 547 599-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  23. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  24. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 6. February 7, 1998. p. 11. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  25. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 50. December 13, 1997. p. 17. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  26. ^ "Boyzone: Baby Can I Hold You" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  27. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  28. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  29. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (11.12.– 18.12.1997)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). December 12, 1997. p. 30. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  30. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Baby Can I Hold You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  32. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  33. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  34. ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 4/1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 4. February 7, 1998. p. 23. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  36. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  39. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. January 17, 1998. p. 27.
  40. ^ Copsey, Rob (July 9, 2021). "Official Top 40 best-selling singles of 1997". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  41. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1998" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  42. ^ "British single certifications – Boyzone – Baby Can I Hold You/Shooting Star". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  43. ^ "Baby Can I Hold You: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. January 1, 1970. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  44. ^ "Ronan Keating – Baby Can I Hold You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  45. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (August 11, 2018). "Nicki Minaj Drops Nas-Assisted Track "Sorry"". Complex. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  46. ^ Aswad, Jem (August 12, 2018). "Nicki Minaj, Nas Drop 'Sorry,' a Song Cut From 'Queen'". Variety. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  47. ^ Holmes, Charles (October 23, 2018). "Tracy Chapman Sues Nicki Minaj for Copyright Infringment". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  48. ^ Cullins, Ashley (October 23, 2018). "Hollywood Docket: Nicki Minaj Track "Sorry" Sparks Tracy Chapman Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  49. ^ "Tracy Chapman sues Nicki Minaj for copyright infringement". Associated Press. October 23, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  50. ^ "TRACY CHAPMAN SUES NICKI MINAJ ... You Stole 'Baby Can I Hold You'". TMZ. October 23, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  51. ^ Lockett, Dee (October 23, 2018). "Tracy Chapman Has Reportedly Sued Nicki Minaj for Never Clearing That Sample". Vulture.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  52. ^ Reed, Ryan (February 27, 2019). "Nicki Minaj Denies Copyright Infringement in Response to Tracy Chapman Lawsuit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  53. ^ Maddaus, Gene (September 16, 2020). "Judge Rules in Favor of Nicki Minaj in Tracy Chapman Copyright Dispute". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  54. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (January 9, 2021). "Nicki Minaj to pay Tracy Chapman $450k in 'Sorry' copyright infringement lawsuit". The Independent. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  55. ^ "Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, Christmastime by Drew Pizzulo".
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