Released 9 August 2004 Genre Garage rock Label Rough Trade Records | Format CD, 7" Length 3:23 | |
Writer(s) Peter Doherty, Carl Barât, Richard Hammerton | ||
"Can't Stand Me Now" is the first single from The Libertines' eponymous second album. The song was their biggest hit and peaked at #2 on the UK singles chart.
Contents
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 US; WFNX in Boston debuted the song by playing it twice back-to-back even before its official radio airplay release.
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. The song was also featured in the third episode of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, "Ghost Machine", in 2006. It is featured in the EA Sports game Rugby 2005. It also features on the UK version of SingStar Vol. 2.
Reception
In May 2007, NME placed "Can't Stand Me Now" at number 13 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever. 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".
Cover artwork
The cover art features an orange X and yellow background (CD 1) / blue X and green brushed background (СD 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 (СD 2) from cover art, track listing and Rough Trade logo in orange / blue, and black on white / white on black 'THE LIBERTINES' logo. 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.
7"
- "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty / Barât / Richard Hammerton) – 3:27
- "(I've Got) Sweets" (Doherty / Barât) – 3:04
CD 1
- "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty / Barât / Richard Hammerton) – 3:27
- "Cyclops" (Doherty / Barât / Peter Wolfe) – 4:48
- "Dilly Boys" (Doherty / Barât) – 3:07
- Can't Stand Me Now (music video)
CD 2
- "Can't Stand Me Now" (Doherty / Barât / Richard Hammerton) – 3:27
- "Never Never" (Doherty / Barât) – 2:25
- "All At Sea" (Doherty) – 2:50
- Available on US version