Can't You See (The Marshall Tucker Band song)
1973 single by The Marshall Tucker Band
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"Can't You See" is a song written by Toy Caldwell of the Marshall Tucker Band. The song was originally recorded by the band on their 1973 self-titled debut album and released as the album's first single. Record World called it "a strong rhythm item that continually builds and builds."[2] A live version was released in 1977 and peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] Cover versions of "Can't You See" have charted for Waylon Jennings (in 1976) and the Zac Brown Band with Kid Rock (2010).
"Fly Like an Eagle" (re-release)
1977 (re-release)
| "Can't You See" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by The Marshall Tucker Band | ||||
| from the album The Marshall Tucker Band | ||||
| B-side | "See You Later, I'm Gone" (original release) "Fly Like an Eagle" (re-release) | |||
| Released | 1973 (original release) 1977 (re-release) | |||
| Recorded | 1973 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 6:05 (Album version) 3:21 (Single version) | |||
| Label | Capricorn | |||
| Songwriter | Toy Caldwell | |||
| Producer | Paul Hornsby | |||
| The Marshall Tucker Band singles chronology | ||||
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A live version, recorded live at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 31, 1974, is included as the final track on the band's 1975 album Searchin' for a Rainbow. Cash Box said of it that it showcased "their distinctive guitar and flute sounds."[4]
The original recording is noted for its flute introduction and ending, both by Jerry Eubanks.
Artistry
The song, musically, is a cross between country rock and Southern rock.[1]
The lyrics are noted as being dark, reflecting heartache and "a man running as far away as he can to begin the process of healing himself".[1]
Waylon Jennings version
| "Can't You See" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Waylon Jennings | ||||
| from the album Are You Ready for the Country | ||||
| B-side | "I'll Go Back to Her" | |||
| Released | July 1976 | |||
| Recorded | March 22, 1976 | |||
| Studio | Sound Labs (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | RCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter | Toy Caldwell | |||
| Producers |
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| Waylon Jennings singles chronology | ||||
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"Can't You See" was covered by American country music artist Hank Williams Jr. for his 1975 album Hank Williams Jr. and Friends and also by Waylon Jennings for his 1976 album Are You Ready for the Country. Jennings' version was released as the album's first single in July 1976 and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[5] It also reached number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.[6]
Other versions
Matt Minglewood's band recorded a version on 1979's Minglewood Band album. It is a staple in his live shows to this day, and includes a preamble about the song being about loneliness, painting a picture of a man leaving the rural East Coast of Canada for the Big City and how when his love leaves, he is lonely. Alabama covered the song regularly while touring, but never released it as a single. It ended up on their 1988 live album with lead vocals by Jeff Cook. Halfway to Gone covered the song on their 2002 album Second Season. Black Stone Cherry covered the song on their 2011 album Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.[7] Davey T Hamilton has released two different cover versions of the song. The first is on his 2011 EP Cincy Beerfest 2011.[8] and the second on his 2024 EP Southern Rock.[9]
Chart performance
The Marshall Tucker Band
| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[10] | 8 |
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 75 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 57 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 39 |
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
| Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales | 43 |
Waylon Jennings
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 97 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
Zac Brown Band with Kid Rock
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[14] | 11 |