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Baby Can I Hold You#Boyzone version

{{Short description|1988 single by Tracy Chapman}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Baby Can I Hold You

| cover = Chapman - Baby Can I Hold You.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Tracy Chapman

| album = Tracy Chapman

| B-side = {{ubl|"Across the Lines"|"If Not Now..."|"Mountains o' Things" (live)}}

| released = October 1, 1988

| recorded =

| studio = Powertrax Studios (Hollywood, CA){{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tracy-chapman-mw0000199023 |title=Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=July 26, 2012 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}

| venue =

| genre = *Rock{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q10xDNVQ9HQC&pg=PA17|title = Women and Popular Music: Sexuality, Identity, and Subjectivity |isbn=9780415211901 |last1=Whiteley|first1 = Sheila|year = 2000 |publisher=Psychology Press}}

  • country{{Cite web |url=http://www.rootsrockreview.com/1988-tracy-chapman/ |title=Tracy Chapman | Roots Rock Review |date=April 6, 2018}}

| length = 3:14

| label = Elektra, Asylum

| writer = Tracy Chapman

| producer = David Kershenbaum

| prev_title = Talkin' 'bout a Revolution

| prev_year = 1988

| next_title = Crossroads

| next_year = 1989

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist =

| type = single

| prev_title = Wedding Song

| prev_year = 2000

| title = Baby Can I Hold You

| year = 2001

| next_title = You're the One

| next_year = 2002

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|DqoLMGSBGYc|"Baby Can I Hold You"}}}}

}}

"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

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (1988–1990)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}

|68

scope="row"|Brazil (ABPD){{cite web|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1989/01/30/27/Ar02700.xml&CollName=EDT_1980_1989&DOCID=1576794&PageLabelPrint=27&skin=%45%6c%53%69%67%6c%6f&AppName=%32&sLanguage=%45%6e%67%6c%69%73%68&Content=%41%4c%4c&selLanguage=&sPublication=%45%44%54&sDateFrom=%30%31%25%32%46%30%31%25%32%46%31%39%38%39&sDateTo=%31%32%25%32%46%33%31%25%32%46%31%39%38%39&dummy=%31%39%38%39&sQuery=%64%69%73%63%6f%73%2b%70%6f%70%75%6c%61%72%65%73%2b%70%61%6e%61%6d%61&x=%31%31&y=%37&ViewMode=HTML| title=Discos más populares de Latinoamérica| publisher=El Siglo de Torreón| date=January 30, 1989| access-date=January 21, 2023}}

|1

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+49-No.+14-January+20+-+February+4%2C+1989.pdf|title=RPM 100 Singles|magazine=RPM|volume=49|issue=14|page=6|date=February 4, 1989|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

|27

{{single chart|Dutch100|89|artist=Tracy Chapman|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|16|artist=Tracy Chapman|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
scope="row"|Portugal (AFP){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-07-14.pdf|title=Top 3 Singles in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=7|issue=28|page=VII|date=July 14, 1990|access-date=March 22, 2018}}

|1

{{single chart|UK|94|date=19881203|rowheader=true|refname=UK94|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|48|artist=Tracy Chapman|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|19|artist=Tracy Chapman|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Tracy Chapman|title=Baby Can I Hold you|award=Gold|id=9691|relyear=1988|certyear=2020|access-date=November 5, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Tracy Chapman|title=Baby Can I Hold you|award=Platinum|id=15482-378-1|relyear=2000|certyear=2024|access-date=October 22, 2024|note=sales since 2000}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

Boyzone version

{{Infobox song

| name = Baby Can I Hold You

| cover = bcihy.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Boyzone

| album = Where We Belong

| A-side = Shooting Star

| released = {{start date|1997|11|24}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-22-I.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=37|date=November 22, 1997|access-date=July 6, 2021}}

| recorded =

| studio = Lansdowne (London, England)

| genre =

| length = 3:16

| label = Polydor

| writer = Tracy Chapman

| producer = Stephen Lipson

| prev_title = Picture of You

| prev_year = 1997

| title = Baby Can I Hold You

| title2 = Shooting Star

| next_title = All That I Need

| next_year = 1998

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Po-g5EW7bCQ|"Baby Can I Hold You"}}}}

}}

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=

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."{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-15.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=November 15, 1997|page=10|accessdate=September 20, 2022}} 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."{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-15.pdf|title=Talking Music|magazine=Music Week|date=November 15, 1997|page=10|accessdate=September 20, 2022}} 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."Connell, Claudia (December 7, 1997). "[1] Single review; The Craic". News of the World.

=Track listings=

  • UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Baby Can I Hold You / Shooting Star|others=Boyzone|year=1997|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records|id=569165-2}}
  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){{cite AV media notes|title=Baby Can I Hold You / Shooting Star|others=Boyzone|year=1997|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records|id=569167-2}}
  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{{cite AV media notes|title=Baby Can I Hold You / Shooting Star|others=Boyzone|year=1997|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records|id=569164-4}}
  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" (7-inch edit) – 3:16
  2. "Shooting Star" – 4:11

=Credits and personnel=

Credits are lifted from the By Request album booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=By Request|title-link=By Request (Boyzone album)|others=Boyzone|year=1999|type=UK CD album booklet|publisher=Polydor Records|id=547 599-2}}

Studio

Personnel

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (1997–1999)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)

|56

{{single chart|Austria|39|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Flanders|31|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-02-07.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=6|page=11|date=February 7, 1998|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

|6

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-12-13.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=50|page=17|date=December 13, 1997|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

|18

scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-01-24.pdf|title=EHR Top 40|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=37|date=January 24, 1998|page=38|access-date=April 10, 2024}}

|20

{{single chart|Finland|15|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|France|26|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Germany|80|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|songid=3614|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2962937#page/n7/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (11.12.– 18.12.1997)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=30|date=December 12, 1997|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

|32

{{single chart|Ireland2|2|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
scope="row"|Latvia (Latvijas Top 20){{cite web|url=http://www.lanet.lv/news/airplay/1997/971228lv.html|title=

The most popular songs in Latvia|publisher=Lanet.lv|language=lv|date=December 28, 1997|access-date=September 3, 2024}}

|align="center"|12

{{single chart|Dutch40|32|year=1998|week=12|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|43|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|11|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
scope="row"|Poland (Music & Media){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-02-07.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay – Week 4/1998|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=4|page=23|date=February 7, 1998|access-date=January 21, 2023}}

| style="text-align:center;"|9

{{single chart|Scotland|2|date=19971206|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Sweden|12|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|17|artist=Boyzone|song=Baby Can I Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}
{{single chart|UK|2|date=19971206|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (1997)

!Position

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Singles 1997|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=January 17, 1998}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-top-40-best-selling-singles-of-1997__33553/|title=Official Top 40 best-selling singles of 1997|last=Copsey|first=Rob|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=July 9, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}

|26

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (1998)

!Position

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1998&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1998|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

|75

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Boyzone|title=Baby Can I Hold You/Shooting Star|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|certyear=2019|id=15896-1728-1|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

Ronan Keating version

{{Infobox song

| name = Baby Can I Hold You

| cover = Ronanbaby.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Ronan Keating

| album = 10 Years of Hits

| released = July 6, 2005

| recorded = 2004

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop

| length = 3:14

| label = Polydor Records

| writer = Tracy Chapman

| producer = Steve Mac

| prev_title = Father and Son

| prev_year = 2004

| next_title = All Over Again

| next_year = 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=

Digital download

  1. "Baby Can I Hold You" – 3:14

German CD single{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/Baby-Can-I-Hold-You/dp/B0009Z5TZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1323268725&sr=1-1 |title=Baby Can I Hold You: Amazon.de: Musik |publisher=Amazon.de |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=July 24, 2012}}

  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=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (2005)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Germany|42|artist=Ronan Keating|song=Baby Can I Hold You|songid=63136|rowheader=true|access-date=February 5, 2021}}

Nicki Minaj copyright infringement lawsuit

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".{{Cite web|last=Espinoza|first=Joshua|date=August 11, 2018|title=Nicki Minaj Drops Nas-Assisted Track "Sorry"|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/08/nicki-minaj-nas-record-premiere-sorry|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Complex}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=August 12, 2018|title=Nicki Minaj, Nas Drop 'Sorry,' a Song Cut From 'Queen'|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/nicki-minaj-drops-sorry-featuring-nas-a-song-cut-from-queen-1202902743/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Variety}} 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.{{Cite magazine|last=Holmes|first=Charles|date=October 23, 2018|title=Tracy Chapman Sues Nicki Minaj for Copyright Infringment|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tracy-chapman-sues-nicki-minaj-745934/|access-date=July 8, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{Cite web|last=Cullins|first=Ashley|date=October 23, 2018|title=Hollywood Docket: Nicki Minaj Track "Sorry" Sparks Tracy Chapman Lawsuit|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/nicki-minaj-track-sorry-sparks-tracy-chapman-lawsuit-1153115|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web|date=October 23, 2018|title=Tracy Chapman sues Nicki Minaj for copyright infringement|url=https://apnews.com/4e51b1b1f0474931a88f03b51984f104|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Associated Press}}{{Cite web|date=October 23, 2018|title=TRACY CHAPMAN SUES NICKI MINAJ ... You Stole 'Baby Can I Hold You'|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/10/23/tracy-chapman-sues-nicki-minaj-song-baby-can-i-hold-you-sorry/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=TMZ}}{{Cite web|last=Lockett|first=Dee|date=October 23, 2018|title=Tracy Chapman Has Reportedly Sued Nicki Minaj for Never Clearing That Sample|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/nicki-minaj-tracy-champan-sample-lawsuit.html|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Vulture.com}}{{Cite magazine|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=February 27, 2019|title=Nicki Minaj Denies Copyright Infringement in Response to Tracy Chapman Lawsuit|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-denies-copyright-infringement-tracy-chapman-lawsuit-800762/|access-date=July 8, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone}} 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.{{cite news|last=Maddaus|first=Gene|date=September 16, 2020|title=Judge Rules in Favor of Nicki Minaj in Tracy Chapman Copyright Dispute|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/nicki-minaj-copyright-lawsuit-tracy-chapman-1234772693/|access-date=September 18, 2020}} In January 2021, the dispute was settled when Minaj paid Chapman $450,000 to avoid a pending trial.{{cite news|last=Brodsky|first=Rachel|date=January 9, 2021|title=Nicki Minaj to pay Tracy Chapman $450k in 'Sorry' copyright infringement lawsuit|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/nicki-minaj-tracy-chapman-copyright-lawsuit-sorry-b1784702.html|access-date=January 9, 2021}}

Cover versions

In 1995, british popstar George Michael made a live cover of this song.

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.{{cite web | url=https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=14355858 | title=Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, Christmastime by Drew Pizzulo }}

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

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Tracy Chapman}}

{{Boyzone}}

{{Ronan Keating}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baby Can I Hold You}}

Category:1980s ballads

Category:1988 singles

Category:1988 songs

Category:1997 singles

Category:Elektra Records singles

Category:Folk ballads

Category:Number-one singles in Brazil

Category:Number-one singles in Portugal

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Songs written by Tracy Chapman

Category:Tracy Chapman songs

Category:Boyzone songs

Category:Ronan Keating songs