Could've Been (Tiffany song)

"Could've Been" is a song by American teen-pop artist Tiffany, released as the third single from her debut album, Tiffany (1987). The track was written by Lois Blaisch and produced by George Tobin. It was released first to North America on November 20, 1987. The song became a hit, topping the charts of the United States, Canada, and Ireland.

"Could've Been"
Single by Tiffany
from the album Tiffany
B-side	"The Heart of Love"
Released	November 20, 1987[1]
Genre	Pop[2]
Length	3:32
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Lois Blaisch
Producer(s)	George Tobin
Tiffany singles chronology
"I Think We're Alone Now" (1987) "Could've Been" (1987) "I Saw Him Standing There" (1988)
Music video
"Could've Been" on YouTube

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Number One	[3]

Background

Lois Blaisch said in an interview with Songfacts that the inspiration for the song came from her oral surgeon ex-boyfriend. She describes her oral surgeon ex-boyfriend as someone who led her with lies and that she fell in love with the idea of him, not actually him.^[4]

Chart performance

After debuting at number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 28, 1987,^[5] "Could've Been" quickly rose up the chart and spent two weeks at number one in February, becoming Tiffany's second consecutive number-one hit following "I Think We're Alone Now". She became the first female artist in the rock era to have their first two singles top the chart and the first female teen singer since Brenda Lee to achieve the feat.^[6] It was also the third number one single in 15 months following Boston's "Amanda" and Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" to not have a video to be promoted alongside it.^[6] She also became the first artist since 1985 to hold the top spot of the US and UK charts simultaneously with different songs; "Could've Been" was number one in the United States while "I Think We're Alone Now" was number one in the United Kingdom.^[7]

Critical reception

John Aizlewood from Number One declared the song as "mighty", noting how "she croons and how she moves the emotions like a large cheque."^[3]

Music video

Technically, "Could've Been" never had an official music video as network executives felt like the lyrics would not sound believable coming from a then 14 year old Tiffany.^[4] However, a live music video was sent to networks which featured fans singing along to Tiffany's performance.

Track listing

• 7-inch single and cassette single

1. Could've Been – 4:00
2. The Heart of Love – 3:57

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1987–1988) Peak position Australia (Australian Music Report)[8] 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 17 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 1 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 1 Denmark (Hitlisten)[12] 4 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 11 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 12 Ireland (IRMA)[15] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 25 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 21 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 5 Panama (UPI)[19] 3 Paraguay (UPI)[20] 8 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[21] 12 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 7 UK Singles (OCC)[23] 4 US Billboard Hot 100[24] 1 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[25] 1 US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)[26] 1 US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)[27] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1988) Position Australia (ARIA)[28] 38 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[29] 4 New Zealand (RIANZ)[30] 28 UK Singles (OCC)[31] 56 US Billboard Hot 100[32] 8 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[33] 34 US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)[34] 7 US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)[35] 37

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[36]	Gold	50,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1988
• List of Billboard number-one Adult Contemporary singles of 1988
• List of RPM Top Singles number-one singles of 1988
• List of Irish Singles Chart number-one singles of 1988