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Like I Can

{{Short description|2014 single by Sam Smith}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Like I Can

| cover = Sam Smith Like I Can.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Sam Smith

| album = In the Lonely Hour

| released = 5 December 2014

| recorded = 2013

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Power pop{{cite web |url= https://www.npr.org/2014/06/08/319254479/first-listen-sam-smith-in-the-lonely-hour/ |title= First Listen: Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour |work=NPR |last= Fitzgerald |first=Kiana |date=8 June 2014 |accessdate=24 November 2021}}

| length = 2:47

| label =

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = I'm Not the Only One

| prev_year = 2014

| next_title = Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

| next_year = 2014

}}

"Like I Can" is a song by English singer Sam Smith. It was released as a digital download on 5 December 2014 as the fifth single from their debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour (2014). The song was written by Smith and Matt Prime and produced by Steve Fitzmaurice, Jimmy Napes and Mojam. It debuted and peaked at number 9 in the United Kingdom, becoming Smith's fifth UK top 10 single.

Background, composition and inspiration

On 24 October 2014, Smith announced via Twitter that they would be releasing "Like I Can" as the fifth single from their debut album In the Lonely Hour. They posted, "Incredibly happy to announce that my next single will be LIKE I CAN!!".{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/24/sam-smith-like-i-can-single/17828123/|title=Sam Smith's new single: 'Like I Can'|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|date=24 October 2014|website=USA Today|accessdate=1 May 2019}}

The song's central theme can be interpreted to be about lost or unrequited love. The singer describes different types of people that may approach their love interest but emphasizes that no one will love them as deeply as the singer does.

"Like I Can" is a power pop song written in the key of G{{Sharp}} minor (sheet music originally published in G minor) at 100bpm. Smith's vocals span from F4 to D6.[https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0153296 Like I Can]

Commercial performance

"Like I Can" peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, giving Smith their fifth UK top 10 single. It was the 100th biggest-selling song of 2014 in the United Kingdom, as well as the 58th biggest in 2015. It has also charted at number 19 in New Zealand, number 20 in Australia, and number 99 in the United States.

Music video

The music video is in black and white and features Smith and several men on what appears to be a stag party.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeugznpGKPA|title=Sam Smith - Like I Can|date=12 December 2014|work=YouTube}}

Live performances

Smith performed the song on 9 November 2014, on the fifth live results show of series 11 of The X Factor.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/11215855/x-factor-review-one-direction-sam-smith.html|title=The X Factor review, One Direction and Sam Smith perform|last=Mohan|first=Isabel|date=9 November 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=10 November 2014}}

Track listing

{{track listing

| headline = Digital download – EP

| title1 = Like I Can

| note1 = Radio Mix

| length1 = 2:47

| title2 = Like I Can

| note2 = Artful Remix

| length2 = 4:34

| title3 = Like I Can

| note3 = Jonas Rathsman Remix

| length3 = 7:00

| title4 = Like I Can

| note4 = iLL BLU Remix

| length4 = 6:30

}}

Covers

On October 12, 2015, Jordan Smith and Regina Love covered as a duet battle through song choice selection in The Voice.

On February 25, 2016, Trent Harmon covered the song during the Top 10 round on the fifteenth season of American Idol.

On October 24, 2016, Dave Moisan sang this song during the knockout rounds in The Voice.

On April 4, 2023, Jerome Godwin III and Talia Smith covered as a duet battle through song choice selection in The Voice.

Appearances in media

In mid-August 2021, the song went viral on TikTok, appearing in more than 2.4M videos as of September 25, 2021 at 6:59 PM EDT.{{cite news|url=https://www.tiktok.com/music/Like-I-Can-242193381597327360?lang=en|title=Like I Can created by Sam Smith | Popular songs on TikTok|publisher=TikTok|accessdate=August 25, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Sam+Smith/_/Like+I+Can/+shoutbox/104576139:shoutbox:caece2a0-4a03-44ec-a704-ba2e194f37c6|title=Shoutbox for Like I Can -- Sam Smith | Last.fm|publisher=Last.fm|accessdate=August 25, 2021}} This song also previously went viral on the same platform in May 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LE0CVP5GvM|title=Why Are You Looking (Sam Smith- Love You Like I Can) Tik Tok Compilmation - YouTube|date=May 17, 2020|website=YouTube|accessdate=August 25, 2021}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Initial chart performance for "Like I Can"

!scope="col"|Chart (2014–2015)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|20|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Austria|18|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|7|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|9|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Canada|53|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=July 2, 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadaac|14|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=July 2, 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|41|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=July 2, 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|18|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=July 2, 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Czech Republic|84|year=2015|week=10|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Czechdigital|17|year=2015|week=08|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Denmark|12|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
scope="row"|Euro Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3Asam%20smith&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A846&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=sam%20smith|magazine=Billboard|title=Euro Digital Songs|accessdate=29 November 2014}}

|17

{{single chart|Finnishairplay|33|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=10 August 2017}}
{{single chart|Germany|45|songid=1292010|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=7 October 2014}}
{{single chart|Hungarysingle|19|year=2015|week=8|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Hungaryradio|4|year=2015|week=5|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
scope="row"|Iceland (RÚV){{cite web|url=http://www.ruv.is/persona/sam-smith|publisher=RÚV|title= Sam Smith Chart History|work=RÚV |date=7 March 2016| accessdate=30 June 2017}}

|2

{{single chart|Ireland|11|year=2015|week=5|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
scope="row"|Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/year:2015/id:2020/page:1|title=Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 15 (dal 2015-04-06 al 2015-04-12)|accessdate=22 September 2015|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana}}

|59

scope="row"| Lebanon (OLT20){{cite web |title=The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Sam Smith |url=http://www.olt20.com/Sam_Smith#fragment-2&panel1-1 |publisher=The Official Lebanese Top 20 |access-date=August 8, 2022}}

| 14

scope="row"|Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3Asam%20smith&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A1188&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=sam%20smith|magazine=Billboard|title=Mexico Ingles Airplay|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|15

{{single chart|Dutch40|8|year=2015|week=14|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|22|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|19|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Norway|30|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Scotland|8|date=20141122|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Slovakia|38|year=2015|week=14|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Slovakdigital|20|year=2015|week=08|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
scope="row"| Slovenia (SloTop50){{cite web|url=http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2015&week=19|title=SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart|publisher=slotop50.si|accessdate=26 February 2018}}

| 16

{{single chart|South Africa|6|date=2015-02-03|rowheader=true|accessdate=16 September 2015}}
{{single chart|Sweden|25|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|UK|9|date=20141122|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 September 2017}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|99|artist=Sam Smith|rowheader=true|refname="hot100"|accessdate=July 2, 2015}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|17|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=14 November 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|26|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=11 August 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|5|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=14 July 2015|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|27|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=21 July 2015|rowheader=true}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2021 chart performance for "Like I Can"

!scope="col"|Chart (2021)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|70|artist=Sam Smith|accessdate=28 September 2021|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"| Norway (VG-lista){{cite web|url=https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2021-w35/|title=VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-35|publisher=VG-lista|access-date=4 September 2021}}

| 16

scope="row"| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2021&dspp=38|title=Veckolista Singlar, vecka 38|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=24 September 2021}}

| 19

{{single chart|Switzerland|33|artist=Sam Smith|song=Like I Can|rowheader=true|access-date=5 September 2021}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+2014 year-end chart performance for "Like I Can"

!scope="col"|Chart (2014)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20140105/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2014|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|100

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+2015 year-end chart performance for "Like I Can"

!scope="col"|Chart (2015)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Denmark (Tracklisten){{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/top2015.asp?list=Track%20100|title=Track Top-100, 2015|publisher=Hitlisten.NU|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|45

scope="row"|Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2015|title=MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 - 2015|publisher=Association of Hungarian Record Companies|accessdate=8 September 2017|language=Hungarian}}

|46

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr2015.html|title=Jaarlijsten 2015|language=Dutch|publisher=Stichting Nederlandse Top 40|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|33

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2015&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten - Single 2015|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|71

scope="row"|UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20150104/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2015|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|58

scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Adult Contemporary Songs Year End 2015|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/adult-contemporary-songs|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|accessdate=8 September 2017}}

|43

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Like I Can"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|access-date=7 February 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|access-date=29 August 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|access-date=11 April 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2014|certyear=2023|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|access-date=14 March 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2023|relyear=2014|relmonth=5|access-date=7 January 2023|id=12089}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2014|relmonth=12|certyear=2023|access-date=3 June 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|certweek=37|access-date=22 September 2015|type=single|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|award=Gold|id=3177}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=28 December 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|relyear=2014|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=13 May 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|id=sam-smith-like-i-can-album|access-date=14 March 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|certweek=20|position=49|award=Platinum|access-date=8 September 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2014|certyear=2021|access-date=28 December 2021|type=single|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|award=Platinum|number=2|id=13117-3877-1|salesamount=1,610,568|salesref={{cite news|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/sam-smith-jo-charrington-celebrate-three-million-sales-for-in-the-lonely-hour/090587|title=Sam Smith & Jo Charrington celebrate three million sales for In The Lonely Hour|publisher=Music Week|last=Homeswood|first=Ben|date=4 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Sam Smith|title=Like I Can|relyear=2014|certyear=2018|award=Platinum|access-date=14 August 2018}}

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

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Release dates for "Like I Can"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

scope="row"| Australia{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/like-i-can-ep/1444413782|title=Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith|date=January 2014|publisher=iTunes|access-date=6 December 2014}}

|rowspan="2"| 5 December 2014

|rowspan="4"| Digital download

|rowspan="4"|{{hlist|Capitol|Method}}

scope="row"| Ireland{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/like-i-can-ep/929722371|title=Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith|date=January 2014|publisher=iTunes|access-date=6 December 2014}}
scope="row"| United Kingdom{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/like-i-can-ep/929722371|title=Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith|date=January 2014|publisher=iTunes|access-date=6 December 2014}}

| 7 December 2014

scope="row"| Belgium{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/be/album/like-i-can-ep/929722371|title=Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith|date=January 2014|publisher=iTunes|access-date=6 December 2014}}

| 8 December 2014

scope="row"| Italy{{cite web|url=http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/112985/SAM-SMITH-Like-I-Can-Universal|title=SAM SMITH - Like I Can (Universal) - Radio Date 27/02/2015|work=radioairplay.fm|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224080526/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/112985/SAM-SMITH-Like-I-Can-Universal|archive-date=24 February 2015|url-status=dead}}

| 27 February 2015

| Mainstream radio

| Universal

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id%3D16691 |title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |accessdate=11 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322142450/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |archivedate=22 March 2013 }}

| rowspan="2"|19 May 2015

| Mainstream radio

| rowspan="2"|Capitol

Rhythmic radio

References

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Sam Smith}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2014 songs

Category:2014 singles

Category:Sam Smith (singer) songs

Category:Songs written by Matt Prime

Category:Capitol Records singles

Category:Songs written by Sam Smith (singer)