Can't Stand Me Now

"Can't Stand Me Now"
Single by The Libertines
from the album The Libertines
Released	9 August 2004
Format	CD, 7"
Genre	Garage rock
Length	3:23
Label	Rough Trade Records
Writer(s)	Peter Doherty, Carl Barât, Richard Hammerton
Producer(s)	Mick Jones
The Libertines singles chronology
"Don't Look Back into the Sun" (2003) "Can't Stand Me Now" (2004) "What Became of the Likely Lads" (2004)

"Can't Stand Me Now" is the first single from The Libertines' eponymous second album. The song was their biggest hit and peaked at #2 on the UK singles chart.

History

The song was written by Carl Barât & Pete Doherty with Mark Keds (also known as Mark Myers and credited on this track as Mark Hammerton) who was previously in bands such as the Senseless Things, The Wildhearts and Jolt.

Carl has said in an interview that he used to buy his bandmates harmonicas for Christmas, and towards the end of the song, Pete is heard playing a harmonica.

Release

The song received some exposure in the US; WFNX in Boston debuted the song by playing it twice back-to-back even before its official radio airplay release.

The promotional video for the song was filmed at one of the band's gigs at the Kentish Town Forum at the end of 2003 and was directed by ex-The Jesus and Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart. The song was also featured in the third episode of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, "Ghost Machine", in 2006. It is featured in the EA Sports game Rugby 2005. It also features on the UK version of SingStar Vol. 2.

Reception

In May 2007, NME placed "Can't Stand Me Now" at number 13 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.^[1] NME also named the song as the best track of 2004. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 26 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".^[2]

Cover Artwork

The cover art features an orange X and yellow background (CD 1) / blue X and green brushed background (СD 2) cover art by Sophie Thunder. The CD is a black disc with the orange X graphic (CD 1) / white disc with the blue X graphic (СD 2) from cover art, track listing and Rough Trade logo in orange / blue, and black on white / white on black 'THE LIBERTINES' logo. Back cover is a silhouette, black-and-white photograph by Sophie Thunder of Pete and Carl standing in front of a window having a fag. (Track listing appears in white text.)

Track listing

7"

1. "Can't Stand Me Now" (Peter Doherty / Carl Barât / Richard Hammerton) – 3:27
2. "(I've Got) Sweets" (Doherty / Barât) – 3:04

CD 1

1. "Can't Stand Me Now" (Peter Doherty / Carl Barât / Richard Hammerton) – 3:27
2. "Cyclops" (Doherty / Peter Wolfe) – 4:48
3. "Dilly Boys" (Doherty / Barât) – 3:07
4. Can't Stand Me Now (Music Video)

CD 2

1. "Can't Stand Me Now" (Peter Doherty / Carl Barât / Richard Hammerton) – 3:27
2. "Never Never" (Doherty / Barât) – 2:25
3. "All At Sea" (Doherty) – 2:50
   • Available on US version

Charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
scope="row"	Ireland (IRMA)[3]	28
scope="row"	UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[4]	2

References

1. "The Greatest Indie Anthems Ever - Number One is getting close". NME. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
2. 150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years | NME.COM
3. "Chart Track: Week 34, 2004". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
4. "Archive Chart: 2004-08-21" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 November 2011.