Just Can't Last

"Just Can't Last" is the first single from Natalie Merchant's 2001 album Motherland. The single version included more instruments and vocals than the original.

"Just Can't Last"
Single by Natalie Merchant
from the album Motherland
Released	September 2001 (Radio release)[1]
Recorded	2001
Genre	Pop, Blues, folk rock
Length	4:31 (Album version) 3:56 (Radio edit)
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Natalie Merchant
Producer(s)	Natalie Merchant T-Bone Burnett
Natalie Merchant singles chronology
"Life Is Sweet" (1999) "Just Can't Last" (2001) "Build a Levee" (2002)

The single was released in two packages. The Australian package included Merchant sitting under an apple tree in color. (The picture had been used on Motherland). The regular package included a blue background with Natalie Merchant's name and the single name.

Release

"Just Can't Last" was released as a radio single in September 2001.^[1] The song was also made available via RealAudio streaming on Elektra Records' official artist site.^[1]

Track listing

Single-track CD

1. "Just Can't Last" (Single Remix)

Australian version

1. "Just Can't Last"
2. "Tell Yourself"
3. "I'm Not Gonna Beg"

Music video

In the "Just Can't Last" music video, directed by Liz Friedlander, Merchant comes into view and is standing in front of a white screen in a black dress. Throughout the video there are three crawls going across the screen trying to match up people's bodies. In the end, everyone's body matches up and the video ends with Merchant walking into the distance and fading out. The video utilizes the 3:56 single remix, rather than the longer album version of the song.

Personnel

• Natalie Merchant – vocals
• Gabriel Grodon – electric guitar
• Allison Miller – drums, percussion
• Erik Della Penna – acoustic guitar
• Elizabeth Steen – organ

Charts

The single peaked at Number 30 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart on December 22, 2001.^[2][3]

Chart (2001)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40[4]	30