Could've Been You
Encyclopedia
"Could've Been You" is a rock
song first performed by American rock singer Bob Halligan and later popularized by American singer-actress Cher
. The song was written by Halligan and Arnie Roman for Halligan's 1991 album, Window In The Wall. Cher's cover version
was produced by Peter Asher
and released exclusively for the European market in early 1992 as the fourth single from Cher's twenty-first studio album, Love Hurts
. Lyrically, "Could've Been You" is a message from the song's protagonist to his or her ex
.
Cher's version of "Could've Been You" received positive reviews from critics and peaked at number thirty-one on the UK Singles Chart
. Cher promoted the song through appearances at Top of the Pops
and Aspel and Company.
. The only single released from the album was its lead track, "Could've Been You", which Halligan had co-written with Arnie Roman. According to Halligan, Atco Records had been going through a "political upheaval" that year and his record "was one of several recordings that was allowed to slip gently into the night". Halligan "dryly notes, '["Could've Been You"] lasted three weeks at radio. It came out to the sound of one hand clapping'".
Later the same year, Cher covered "Could've Been You" for her album Love Hurts. Her version was produced by Peter Asher, who had previously worked with Cher on her 1991 UK number one hit "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)
". The B-side of the first UK 7" single release was "One Small Step", a duet with American singer-songwriter Richard Page
, while the B-side of the second UK 7" single was "Love and Understanding
". The second UK 7" single and the Germany Maxi-single were both released with the same cover, an image of Cher in a baby doll dress, while the first UK 7" was released with the same photo cut to show only Cher's legs. The whole photo was later reused for the cover of the Love Hurts tourbook. The UK 12" single was the last released; its cover has a transparent vinyl and shows Cher in a long, smooth black wig. In 1993, "Could've Been You" was rereleased as the B-side of Cher's "Whenever You're Near
" UK 7" single.
Cher promoted "Could've Been You" with a live performance on Top of the Pops
on April 9, 1992, six days before the beginning of her first European tour, the Love Hurts Tour
in Berlin, Germany. For the performance Cher wore a curly red wig and a suit with the jacket open to show a leather bra
. On April 11, 1992, Cher appeared on the Aspel and Company show to perform the song and be interviewed by Michael Aspel
.
said of the album that "[i]t's that much more fun in numbers like 'Could've Been You', in which, seeking revenge, she gets to reach between the jerk's legs and squeeze." David Wild of the Guilford County, North Carolina News & Record called "Love and Understanding", "Save Up All Your Tears" and "Could've Been You" "strong tracks" that "show that she is still an effective pop singer". The review of the Worcester, Massachusetts Telegram & Gazette newspaper noted "Cher attempts to display her sexual prowess on the song, ...a great vehicle for her, an 'in-your-face' song directed to a former lover".
at number thirty-two on the week of April 18, 1992. In its second week it peaked at number thirty-one, dropping the next week to number forty-three and then to number sixty in its fourth and final week on the chart. The song also entered the German Singles Chart in late May 1992, spending seven weeks on the chart and peaked at number seventy-five.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
song first performed by American rock singer Bob Halligan and later popularized by American singer-actress Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
. The song was written by Halligan and Arnie Roman for Halligan's 1991 album, Window In The Wall. Cher's cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
was produced by Peter Asher
Peter Asher
Peter Asher is an English guitarist, singer, manager and record producer. He first came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the vocal duo Peter and Gordon before going on to a successful career as a record producer.-Early life:He was born at the Central Middlesex Hospital, a child actor and...
and released exclusively for the European market in early 1992 as the fourth single from Cher's twenty-first studio album, Love Hurts
Love Hurts (Cher album)
Love Hurts is the twenty-first studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on June 11, 1991 by Geffen Records. The RIAA certified it Gold on August 27, 1991. It is the final studio album with the record label Geffen...
. Lyrically, "Could've Been You" is a message from the song's protagonist to his or her ex
Ex (relationship)
In social relationships, an ex is someone with whom a person was once associated. As a prefix, ex- can refer to a variety of different relationships; for example, one might refer to a music group's ex-guitarist, or someone's ex-friend...
.
Cher's version of "Could've Been You" received positive reviews from critics and peaked at number thirty-one on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Cher promoted the song through appearances at Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
and Aspel and Company.
Background
In 1991, Bob Halligan released his album Window In The Wall under Atco RecordsAtco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
. The only single released from the album was its lead track, "Could've Been You", which Halligan had co-written with Arnie Roman. According to Halligan, Atco Records had been going through a "political upheaval" that year and his record "was one of several recordings that was allowed to slip gently into the night". Halligan "dryly notes, '["Could've Been You"] lasted three weeks at radio. It came out to the sound of one hand clapping'".
Later the same year, Cher covered "Could've Been You" for her album Love Hurts. Her version was produced by Peter Asher, who had previously worked with Cher on her 1991 UK number one hit "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)
The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)
"The Shoop Shoop Song " is a song written by Rudy Clark. The song was made a hit when recorded by Betty Everett, who hit #1 on the Cashbox magazine R&B charts with it in 1964...
". The B-side of the first UK 7" single release was "One Small Step", a duet with American singer-songwriter Richard Page
Richard Page (musician)
Richard Page , is an American musician who is the lead singer and bassist of 1980's US band Mr. Mister and is now a songwriter and solo artist.-Early life:...
, while the B-side of the second UK 7" single was "Love and Understanding
Love and Understanding
"Love and Understanding" is a rock song by American singer-actress Cher from her twenty-first studio album, Love Hurts. Produced by Guy Roche, it was released as the album's first single in 1991 for the European and North American market.-Track listings:...
". The second UK 7" single and the Germany Maxi-single were both released with the same cover, an image of Cher in a baby doll dress, while the first UK 7" was released with the same photo cut to show only Cher's legs. The whole photo was later reused for the cover of the Love Hurts tourbook. The UK 12" single was the last released; its cover has a transparent vinyl and shows Cher in a long, smooth black wig. In 1993, "Could've Been You" was rereleased as the B-side of Cher's "Whenever You're Near
Whenever You're Near
"Whenever You're Near" is a song composed by Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw, recorded by Cher.-Song information:"Whenever You're Near" was one of three songs recorded exclusively for Cher's first European compilation, Greatest Hits: 1965-1992. The song was released as the album's second single in the...
" UK 7" single.
Cher promoted "Could've Been You" with a live performance on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
on April 9, 1992, six days before the beginning of her first European tour, the Love Hurts Tour
Love Hurts Tour
The Love Hurts Tour was the third concert tour by American recording artist Cher. The tour supported her twenty first studio album, Love Hurts and the soundtrack, Mermaids. The tour reached Europe and North America...
in Berlin, Germany. For the performance Cher wore a curly red wig and a suit with the jacket open to show a leather bra
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
. On April 11, 1992, Cher appeared on the Aspel and Company show to perform the song and be interviewed by Michael Aspel
Michael Aspel
Michael Terence Aspel, OBE is an English television presenter, known for his reserved demeanour and rich speaking voice. He has been a high-profile TV personality in the United Kingdom since the 1960s, presenting programmes such as Crackerjack, Aspel and Company, This is Your Life, Strange But...
.
Critical reception
"Could've Been You" received positive reviews from critics. Rock critic Jim Farber of Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
said of the album that "[i]t's that much more fun in numbers like 'Could've Been You', in which, seeking revenge, she gets to reach between the jerk's legs and squeeze." David Wild of the Guilford County, North Carolina News & Record called "Love and Understanding", "Save Up All Your Tears" and "Could've Been You" "strong tracks" that "show that she is still an effective pop singer". The review of the Worcester, Massachusetts Telegram & Gazette newspaper noted "Cher attempts to display her sexual prowess on the song, ...a great vehicle for her, an 'in-your-face' song directed to a former lover".
Chart performance
The song debuted on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number thirty-two on the week of April 18, 1992. In its second week it peaked at number thirty-one, dropping the next week to number forty-three and then to number sixty in its fourth and final week on the chart. The song also entered the German Singles Chart in late May 1992, spending seven weeks on the chart and peaked at number seventy-five.
Track listings
- UK 12" single
- "Could've Been You" – 3:30
- "Love and Understanding" – 4:43
- "Save Up All Your TearsSave Up All Your Tears"Save Up All Your Tears" is a song written by Desmond Child and Diane Warren, and originally released by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. The song was subsequently covered by other artists including Robin Beck and Cher....
" – 4:00
- Germany CD-Maxi single
- "Could've Been You" – 3:30
- "One Small Step" (duet with Richard Page) – 3:28
- "When Love Calls Your Name" – 3:32
- UK 7" single
- "Could've Been You" – 3:30
- "One Small Step" (duet with Richard Page) – 3:28
- UK 7" single
- "Could've Been You" – 3:30
- "Love and Understanding" – 4:43
Credits and personnel
- Artwork – Kevin Reagan
- Management – Bill Sammeth, John KalodnerJohn KalodnerJohn David Kalodner is a retired American A&R executive. His achievements included signing Foreigner, AC/DC, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins to Atlantic Records in the seventies....
- Photography – Herb RittsHerb RittsHerbert "Herb" Ritts was an American fashion photographer who concentrated on black-and-white photography and portraits, often in the style of classical Greek sculpture.-Early life and career:...
- Producer – Peter Asher
- Recorded and mixed by – Frank Wolf
Charts
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
75 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
31 |