Like I Can

"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.

"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)

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!!".^[2]

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♯ minor (sheet music originally published in G minor) at 100bpm. Smith's vocals span from F₄ to D₆.^[3]

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,^[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

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

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

Track listing

Digital download – EP

No.	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

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.^[7][8] This song also previously went viral on the same platform in May 2020.^[9]

Charts

Weekly charts 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 (GfK)[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 Pop Airplay (Billboard)[44] 26 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[45] 5 US Pop Airplay (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 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

Certifications for "Like I Can"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57]	5× Platinum	350,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[58]	Platinum	30,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[59]	Platinum	60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[60]	3× Platinum	240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[61]	2× Platinum	180,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[62]	Gold	200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[63]	Gold	25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[64]	3× Platinum	90,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[65]	2× Platinum	120,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[66]	Gold	30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[67]	Platinum	40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[68]	2× Platinum	1,610,568[69]
United States (RIAA)[70]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates for "Like I Can"

Region	Date	Format	Label
Australia[71]	5 December 2014	Digital download	Capitol Method
Ireland[72]
United Kingdom[73]	7 December 2014
Belgium[74]	8 December 2014
Italy[75]	27 February 2015	Mainstream radio	Universal
United States[76]	19 May 2015	Mainstream radio	Capitol
		Rhythmic radio