"Can We Still Be Friends" is a song written and originally performed by Todd Rundgren.
"Can We Still Be Friends" | ||||
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Single by Todd Rundgren | ||||
from the album Hermit of Mink Hollow | ||||
B-side | "Out of Control" (US), "Determination" (UK) | |||
Released | May 1978 | |||
Recorded | 1978 | |||
Genre | Soft rock | |||
Length | 3:34 | |||
Label | Bearsville | |||
Songwriter(s) | Todd Rundgren | |||
Producer(s) | Todd Rundgren | |||
Todd Rundgren singles chronology | ||||
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Todd Rundgren released his version on his 1978 album Hermit of Mink Hollow. This was the only hit single on the album, reaching #29 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[1] and also peaking at #8 in Australia. The lyrics describe a relationship to which Rundgren and the woman to whom he is singing have made great efforts to fix, but simply cannot make it work. Rundgren explains this, but wishes to part amicably, asking several times if he and his partner can "still be friends." The song is generally assumed to be about Rundgren's breakup with long-time companion Bebe Buell in 1977. Rundgren played all the instruments and performed all the vocals on the track, as he did with the rest of the album.
In 1994, the song made a prominent appearance in the film Dumb and Dumber, for which Rundgren had composed the score. It also appears on the soundtrack for the 2001 film Vanilla Sky, and the TV series Nip/Tuck.
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[2] | 8 |
United States (Billboard 100) | 29 |
Chart (1978) | Position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 54 |
"Can We Still Be Friends" | ||||
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Single by Robert Palmer | ||||
from the album Secrets | ||||
B-side | "Too Good To Be True" | |||
Released | 1979 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | Island | |||
Songwriter(s) | Todd Rundgren | |||
Producer(s) | Robert Palmer | |||
Robert Palmer singles chronology | ||||
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In 1979, "Can We Still Be Friends" became a hit again when Robert Palmer recorded a version for his album Secrets.
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] | 52 |
Dutch Top 40[6] | 32 |
"Can We Still Be Friends" | |
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Song by Mandy Moore | |
from the album Coverage | |
Released | 2003 |
Genre | R&B |
Length | 3:38 |
Label | Epic |
Songwriter(s) | Todd Rundgren |
Producer(s) | John Fields |
Audio | |
"Can We Still Be Friends" on YouTube |
In 2003, Mandy Moore recorded her own version of the song from her third studio album Coverage, composed entirely of cover songs.