"I Can Love You Like That" is a song written by Steve Diamond, Jennifer Kimball and Maribeth Derry, and recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released in February 1995 by Atlantic Records as the first single from his self-titled CD (1995). The song reached the top of the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart.
Music video The accompanying music video for "I Can Love You Like That" was directed by Marc Ball and premiered in early 1995. It features a wedding, with John Michael Montgomery singing.
Chart performance The song debuted at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart dated March 4, 1995. It charted for twenty weeks and went to Number One on the chart dated April 22, 1995, and stayed there for one week before being replaced by Brooks & Dunn's "Little Miss Honky Tonk" the next week. However, it did go back to Number One on the chart dated May 6, 1995, where it stayed for two more weeks.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1995)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1995)Position Canada Country Tracks (RPM) 79 US Country Songs (Billboard) 5
All-4-One version
Two months after Montgomery's version reached number one, American male R&B and pop group All-4-One released their version of "I Can Love You Like That" on Atlantic and Blitzz Records, and it reached a peak of number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. It was produced by David Foster, selling 600,000 copies domestically and being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Despite a live performance on the BBC's long-running music programme Top of the Pops, it only peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's last top-40 entry there.
Critical reception Steve Baltin from Cash Box wrote, "All-4-One had one of the biggest hits of last year with the chart-topping 'I Swear'. The first single from their forthcoming And the Music Speaks album continues the remarkably middle-of-the-road sound they put forth last year. As a result, similar chart success is likely. Though appeal of the same magnitude might be harder to achieve. Simple and Wonder Bread white, 'I Can Love You Like That' is a huge ballad." Music & Media named it a "sugary ballad". Leesa Daniels from Smash Hits said, "If you haven't got a boy/girlfriend then this might well be the tune you'd like sung to you. It's all gooey and sickly in a marshmellowy type way".
Track listing CD single – Europe (1995) "I Can Love You Like That" (edit) – 4:10 "All-4-1" – 5:24 "I Can Love You Like That" (LP version) – 4:23
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1995–1996)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)97Europe (European AC Radio)6Europe (European Dance Radio)14Europe (European Hit Radio)6France Airplay (SNEP)22 Airplay (Music & Media) 5 Airplay (Music & Media) 6Israel (IBA) Search "All-4-One" for Israeli chart history.36Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 12Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)16 Airplay (Music & Media) 6Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio)17UK Airplay (Music Week)42US Billboard Hot 1005US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)2US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)40US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-19962Zimbabwe (ZIMA)* Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 20001
Year-end charts Chart (1995)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)47Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)36Europe (European AC Radio)19Europe (European Dance Radio)25New Zealand (RIANZ)25Scandinavia Airplay (Music & Media)20US Billboard Hot 10015US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)12US Cash Box Top 1007
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJune 1995AustraliaJune 19, 1995United KingdomJuly 3, 1995JapanJuly 10, 1995CDAtlantic
References