Can't Stand Me Now

"Can't Stand Me Now" is the first single from English rock band the Libertines' self-titled second album. The song was their biggest hit, and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and number 28 on the Irish Singles Chart. In the United Kingdom, it is their second highest-selling single after "Don't Look Back into the Sun".^[2]

"Can't Stand Me Now"
Single by the Libertines
from the album The Libertines
B-side	"(I've Got) Sweets"
Released	9 August 2004 (2004-08-09)^[1]
Genre	Garage rock
Length	3:23
Label	Rough Trade
Songwriter(s)	Peter Doherty, Carl Barât, Mark Hammerton
Producer(s)	Mick Jones
The Libertines singles chronology
"Don't Look Back into the Sun" (2003) "Can't Stand Me Now" (2004) "What Became of the Likely Lads" (2004)

History

The song was written by Carl Barât and Pete Doherty with Mark Keds (also known as Mark Myers and credited on this track as Mark Hammerton) who was previously in a number of bands including Senseless Things, the Wildhearts and Jolt. The song is autobiographical, documenting the breakdown of Doherty and Barât's relationship which led to the ultimate split of the band later in the same year.

Release

The song received some exposure in the United States; WFNX in Boston debuted the song by playing it twice back-to-back before its official radio airplay release.^{[citation needed]} The promotional video for the song was filmed at one of the band's gigs at the Kentish Town Forum at the end of 2003 and was directed by ex-The Jesus and Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart.^{[citation needed]}

Reception

In May 2007, NME placed "Can't Stand Me Now" at number 13 in its list of the "50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever".^[3] NME also named the song as the best track of 2004. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 26 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".^[4]

Cover artwork

The cover art features an orange X and yellow background (CD 1) / blue X and green brushed background (CD 2) cover art by Sophie Thunder. The CD is a black disc with the orange X graphic (CD 1) / white disc with the blue X graphic (CD 2) from cover art, track listing and Rough Trade logo in orange / blue, and black on white / white on black 'THE LIBERTINES' logo. The back cover is a silhouette, black-and-white photograph by Sophie Thunder of Pete and Carl standing in front of a window smoking a cigarette.

Track listings

UK 7-inch single^[5] A. "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty, Barât, Richard Hammerton) B. "(I've Got) Sweets" (Doherty, Barât) UK CD single^[6] "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty, Barât, Hammerton) "Never Never" (Doherty, Barât) US CD single^[7] "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty, Barât, Hammerton) "Never Never" (Doherty, Barât) "All at Sea" (Doherty)

US maxi-CD single^[8] "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty, Barât, Hammerton) "Cyclops" (Doherty, Barât, Peter Wolfe) "Dilly Boys" (Doherty, Barât) European maxi-CD single^[9] "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty, Barât, Hammerton) "Cyclops" (Doherty, Barât, Wolfe) "Dilly Boys" (Doherty, Barât) "Can't Stand Me Now" (video)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2004) Peak position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[10] 7 Ireland (IRMA)^[11] 28 Scotland (OCC)^[12] 2 UK Singles (OCC)^[13] 2 UK Indie (OCC)^[14] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2004) Position UK Singles (OCC)^[15] 138

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[16]	Platinum	600,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 7 August 2004. p. 31.
2. "BRIT Certified". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 December 2018. Type Libertines in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
3. "The Greatest Indie Anthems Ever – Number One is getting close". NME. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
4. Schiller, Rebecca (6 October 2011). "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". NME. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
5. Can't Stand Me Now (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Libertines. Rough Trade Records. 2004. RTRADS163.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. Can't Stand Me Now (UK CD single liner notes). The Libertines. Rough Trade Records. 2004. RTRADSCDX163.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. Can't Stand Me Now (US CD single liner notes). The Libertines. Rough Trade Records. 2004. 06076-83255-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. Can't Stand Me Now (US maxi-CD single liner notes). The Libertines. Rough Trade Records. 2004. 06076-83254-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. Can't Stand Me Now (European maxi-CD single liner notes). The Libertines. Rough Trade Records. 2004. RTRADSCDE 163.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 35. 28 August 2004. p. 53. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
11. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Can't Stand Me Now". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
12. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
14. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
15. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
16. "British single certifications – Libertines – Can't Stand Me Now". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 August 2023.