Like I Can

2014 single by Sam Smith

"Like I Can"

Single by Sam Smith
from the album  In the Lonely Hour
Released| 5 December 2014
Recorded| 2013
Genre| Power pop[1]
Length| 2:47
Label|

* Capitol
* Method

Songwriter(s)|

* Sam Smith
* Matt Prime

Producer(s)|

* Steve Fitzmaurice
* Jimmy Napes
* Mojam

Sam Smith singles chronology
| "I'm Not the Only One"
(2014)  | "Like I Can"
(2014)  | "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
(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[edit]

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!!".[2]

The song was used to describe painful, loneliness that love back to a man's unavoidable desire for love and minimise the painful emotion was throughout this song.

"Like I Can" is a power pop song written in the key of G♯ minor (sheet music originally published in G minor) at 100bpm. Smith's vocals span from F4 to D6.[3]

## Commercial performance[edit]

"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,[4] 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[edit]

The music video is in black and white and features Smith and several men on what appears to be a stag party.[5]

## Live performances[edit]

Smith performed the song on 9 November 2014, on the fifth live results show of series 11 of The X Factor.[6]

## Track listing[edit]

Digital download – EPNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Like I Can" (Radio Mix)| 2:47
2.| "Like I Can" (Artful Remix)| 4:34
3.| "Like I Can" (Jonas Rathsman Remix)| 7:00
4.| "Like I Can" (iLL BLU Remix)| 6:30

## Covers[edit]

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[edit]

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.[7][8] This song also previously went viral over there back in May 2020.[9]

## Charts and certifications[edit]

### Weekly charts[edit]

Initial chart performance for "Like I Can"  | Chart (2014–2015)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[10] | 20
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] | 18
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[12] | 7
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[13] | 9
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] | 53
Canada AC (Billboard)[15] | 14
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[16] | 41
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[17] | 18
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[18] | 84
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[19] | 17
Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] | 12
Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[21] | 17
Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)[22] | 33
Germany (Official German Charts)[23] | 45
Hungary (Single Top 40)[24] | 19
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[25] | 4
Iceland (RÚV)[26] | 2
Ireland (IRMA)[27] | 11
Italy (FIMI)[28] | 59
Lebanon (OLT20)[29] | 14
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[30] | 15
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] | 8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] | 22
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] | 19
Norway (VG-lista)[34] | 30
Scotland (OCC)[35] | 8
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[36] | 38
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[37] | 20
Slovenia (SloTop50)[38] | 16
South Africa (EMA)[39] | 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] | 25
UK Singles (OCC)[41] | 9
US Billboard Hot 100[42] | 99
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[43] | 17
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[44] | 26
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[45] | 5
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[46] | 27
2021 chart performance for "Like I Can"  Chart (2021)  | Peak
position

|

Global 200 (Billboard)[47] | 70
Norway (VG-lista)[48] | 16
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] | 19
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] | 33

### Year-end charts[edit]

2014 year-end chart performance for "Like I Can"  | Chart (2014)  | Position

|

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[4] | 100
2015 year-end chart performance for "Like I Can"  Chart (2015)  | Position

|

Denmark (Tracklisten)[51] | 45
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[52] | 46
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[53] | 33
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[54] | 71
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[55] | 58
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[56] | 43

### Certifications and sales[edit]

Certifications and sales for "Like I Can"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[57] | 5× Platinum  | 350,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[58] | Platinum  | 60,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[59] | 2× Platinum  | 180,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[60] | Gold  | 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[61] | Gold  | 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[62] | Gold  | 7,500*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[63] | 2× Platinum  | 120,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[64] | Gold  | 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[65] | Platinum  | 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[66] | 2× Platinum  | 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[67] | Platinum  | 1,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history[edit]

Release dates for "Like I Can"  Region  | Date  | Format  | Label

|
|
|

Australia[68] | 5 December 2014  | Digital download |

* Capitol
* Method

Ireland[69]
United Kingdom[70] | 7 December 2014
Belgium[71] | 8 December 2014
Italy[72] | 27 February 2015  | Mainstream radio  | Universal
United States[73] | 19 May 2015  | Mainstream radio  | Capitol
Rhythmic radio

## References[edit]

1. ^ Fitzgerald, Kiana (8 June 2014). "First Listen: Sam Smith, 'In The Lonely Hour". NPR. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
2. ^ Mansfield, Brian (24 October 2014). "Sam Smith's new single: 'Like I Can'". USA Today. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
3. ^ Like I Can
4. ^ a b "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
5. ^ Sam Smith - Like I Can. YouTube. 12 December 2014.
6. ^ Mohan, Isabel (9 November 2014). "The X Factor review, One Direction and Sam Smith perform". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
7. ^ "Like I Can created by Sam Smith | Popular songs on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
8. ^ "Shoutbox for Like I Can -- Sam Smith | Last.fm". Last.fm. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
9. ^ "Why Are You Looking (Sam Smith- Love You Like I Can) Tik Tok Compilmation - YouTube". YouTube. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
10. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
11. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
12. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
13. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
14. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
15. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
16. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
17. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
18. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201510 into search. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
19. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201508 into search. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
20. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can". Tracklisten. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
21. ^ "Euro Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
22. ^ "Sam Smith: Like I Can" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
23. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
24. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
25. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
26. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History". RÚV. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
27. ^ "Chart Track: Week 5, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
28. ^ "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 15 (dal 2015-04-06 al 2015-04-12)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
29. ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Sam Smith". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
30. ^ "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 2015" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
32. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
33. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
34. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can". VG-lista. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
35. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
36. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201514 into search. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
37. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201508 into search. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
38. ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
39. ^ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2015-02-03". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
40. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
42. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
43. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
44. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
45. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
46. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
47. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
48. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-35". VG-lista. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
49. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 38". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
50. ^ "Sam Smith – Like I Can". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
51. ^ "Track Top-100, 2015". Hitlisten.NU. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
52. ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 - 2015" (in Hungarian). Association of Hungarian Record Companies. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
53. ^ "Jaarlijsten 2015" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 2015". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
55. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2015". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
56. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
57. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
58. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
59. ^ "Danish single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
60. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sam Smith; 'Like I Can')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
61. ^ "Italian single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
62. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
63. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
64. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
65. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20, 2015 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 8 September 2017. Scroll to position 49 to view certification.
66. ^ "British single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
67. ^ "American single certifications – Sam Smith – Like I Can". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
68. ^ "Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith". iTunes. January 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
69. ^ "Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith". iTunes. January 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
70. ^ "Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith". iTunes. January 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
71. ^ "Like I Can - EP by Sam Smith". iTunes. January 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
72. ^ "SAM SMITH - Like I Can (Universal) - Radio Date 27/02/2015". radioairplay.fm. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
73. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". Archived from the original on 22 March 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Sam Smith

* Discography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* In the Lonely Hour
* The Thrill of It All
* Love Goes
* Gloria

Remix and live albums|

* The Lost Tapes – Remixed
* Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios

Extended plays|

* Nirvana

Singles|

* "Bad Day All Week"
* "When It's Alright"
* "Lay Me Down"
* "Money on My Mind"
* "Stay with Me"
* "I'm Not the Only One"
* "Like I Can"
* "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
* "Writing's on the Wall"
* "Too Good at Goodbyes"
* "One Last Song"
* "Baby, You Make Me Crazy"
* "Promises"
* "Fire on Fire"
* "Dancing with a Stranger"
* "How Do You Sleep?"
* "I Feel Love"
* "To Die For"
* "I'm Ready"
* "My Oasis"
* "Diamonds"
* "Kids Again"
* "The Lighthouse Keeper"
* "Love Me More"
* "Unholy"
* "Night Before Christmas"
* "Gimme"
* "I'm Not Here to Make Friends"
* "Vulgar"
* "Desire"
* "In the City"

Featured singles|

* "Latch"
* "La La La"
* "Moments"
* "Omen"

Promotional singles|

* "Burning"
* "Pray"

Other songs|

* "Safe with Me"
* "How Will I Know"
* "You Will Be Found"
* "Man I Am"

Tours|

* The Thrill of It All Tour
* Gloria the Tour

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template