"I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)", also known as "I Can't Stand It", is a song written and recorded by James Brown in 1967. It is the most successful of the handful of recordings he made with The Dapps, a band of white musicians led by Beau Dollar. The single release of the song, which was sped up shifting the pitch up a half step/key,Leeds, Alan, and Harry Weinger (1991). "Star Time: Song by Song". In Star Time (pp. 46–53) [CD booklet]. London: Polydor Records. rose to #4 on the Billboard R&B chart and #28 on the Pop chart.White, Cliff (1991). "Discography". In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD booklet]. London: Polydor Records. The single's B-side, "There Was a Time", also charted.
"I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)" was included on the 1968 album I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me, where it was labeled "Pt. 1". A "Pt. 2", which appeared later in the album, never received a single release.
Musicians James Brown - lead vocal
Tim Hedding - organ "Fat Eddie" Setser - guitar Tim Drummond - bass William "Beau Dollar" Bowman - drums
Chart performance Chart (1967–68)PeakpositionUS Billboard Hot 10028US Best Selling R&B Singles (Billboard)4
Other versions Brown re-recorded "I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)" 4 times: in 1971 for Hot Pants under the title "Can't Stand It", in 1974 for the album Hell under the title "I Can't Stand It '76'", in 1976 for Get Up Offa That Thing under the title "This Feeling" and with synthesizers in 1998 for the album I'm Back. A live version of the song is included on the 1998 album Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68.
James Chance and the Contortions covered the song on the 1978 no wave compilation album No New York.
References