Can We

"Can We" is a song by American R&B trio SWV featuring guest vocals from Missy Elliott and production by Timbaland and Elliott. It heavily samples the intro of "Do the Funky Chicken" by Rufus Thomas. The song was eventually included on SWV's third album, Release Some Tension (1997), but was originally a hit earlier in the year when it was included on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Booty Call.

"Can We"
Single by SWV featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
from the album Release Some Tension and Booty Call: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released	February 11, 1997 (1997-02-11)
Studio	Master Sound (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Length	4:51 (album version) 4:19 (radio edit)
Label	RCA Jive
Songwriter(s)	Melissa Elliott Timothy Mosley
Producer(s)	Timbaland Missy Elliott
SWV singles chronology
"It's All About U" (1996) "Can We" (1997) "Someone" (1997)
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Cold Rock a Party" (1996) "Can We" (1997) "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (1997)

"Can We" received major airplay on urban radio stations in the United States, but it was not released as a cassette or CD single in the US. However, because of a 12-inch vinyl single release, "Can We" was able to chart on Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 75. Outside the US, the song topped the New Zealand Singles Chart and peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

A music video for the single was directed by Jesse Vaughan and premiered on music video stations in February 1997.^[1] The synopsis of the video primarily focuses on SWV, dressed in cheetah-print attire, dancing in front of matching backgrounds with their love interests. Missy Elliott is also featured in the video, where she is seen dancing in a newspaper-covered background.

Track listings

US and UK 12-inch single^[2][3]

A1. "Can We" (LP version) – 4:51

A2. "Can We" (instrumental) – 4:49

A3. "Can We" (a cappella) – 4:49

B1. "Can We" (radio edit No. 1) – 4:15

B2. "Can We" (radio edit No. 2) – 4:15

B3. "Can We" (no rap radio) – 3:56

UK and Australian CD single^[4]

1. "Can We" (radio edit No. 1) – 4:15
2. "Can We" (radio edit No. 2) – 4:15
3. "Can We" (no rap radio) – 3:56
4. "Can We" (LP version) – 4:51
5. "Can We" (instrumental) – 4:49
6. "Can We" (a cappella) – 4:49

UK cassette single^[5]

1. "Can We" (LP version) – 4:51
2. "Can We" (radio edit No. 1) – 4:15

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[6] 174 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 76 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 1 Scotland (OCC)[9] 67 UK Singles (OCC)[10] 18 UK Dance (OCC)[11] 8 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[12] 5 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 75 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[14] 26 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 31 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[16] 3

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position New Zealand (RIANZ)[17] 16 UK Urban (Music Week)[18] 16 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[19] 14

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[20]	Gold	5,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone.