"I Can Make It Better" is a song by American recording artist Luther Vandross. It was released in 1996 as the second single from his tenth and platinum album, Your Secret Love (1996). The song reached number 15 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and peaked in the top fifty on the UK Singles Chart.[1] A music video was also produced to promote the single.
"I Can Make It Better" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Luther Vandross | ||||
from the album Your Secret Love | ||||
Released | November 26, 1996 (U.S., Europe) | |||
Genre | R&B, soul | |||
Length | 4:29 | |||
Label | Epic Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | L. Vandross, M. Miller | |||
Producer(s) | Luther Vandross, Marcus Miller | |||
Luther Vandross singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"I Can Make It Better" on YouTube |
Critical reception
editLarry Flick from Billboard declared the song as "an old-school soul ballad that reminds everyone why he is a truly untouchable stylist." He added, "In lesser hands, this song would reek of unprogrammable nostalgia. But Vandross cruises through the song with enticing and romantic flair, deftly swerving around an arrangement of strings and horns. A fine way to maintain the interest of R&B radio program- mers while possibly tweaking popsters who could certainly use a little more pure soul in their lives."[2] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five, describing it as "a smooth ballad with uptempo touches from the king of lurve".[3]
Track list
edit- US, UK CD single[4]
- "I Can Make It Better" (Single Edit) - 4:29
- "I Can Make It Better" (Charles Roane Remix Edit) - 4:28
- "I Can Make It Better" (Soulshock & Karlin Remix Edit) - 4:28
- "A Kiss For Christmas" - 4:12
Note: "A Kiss for Christmas" is from the Vandross album This Is Christmas (1995)
Charts
editChart (1996) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scotland (OCC)[5] | 85 |
UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 44 |
US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 80 |
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[8] | 1 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] | 15 |
References
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 597.
- ^ Flick, Larry (November 9, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 68. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 30, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ US CD Single - "I Can Make It Better" (Single) Discogs
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 22 December 1996 - 28 December 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2016.