music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Can't You See" is a song written by Toy Caldwell of The Marshall Tucker Band. The song was originally recorded by the band on their 1973 debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, and released as the album's first single. It was re-released in 1977 and peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] Cover versions of "Can't You See" have charted for Waylon Jennings (in 1976) and the Zac Brown Band with Kid Rock (2010).

"Can't You See"
Single by The Marshall Tucker Band
from the album The Marshall Tucker Band
B-side	"See You Later, I'm Gone" (Original release) "Fly Like an Eagle" (Re-release)
Released	1973 (Original release) 1977 (Re-release)
Recorded	1973
Genre	Country rock[1] Southern rock[1]
Length	6:05
Label	Capricorn
Songwriter(s)	Toy Caldwell
Producer(s)	Paul Hornsby
The Marshall Tucker Band singles chronology
"Can't You See" (1973) "My Jesus" (1973)
"Heard It in a Love Song" (1977) "Can't You See" (1977) "Dream Lover" (1978)

A live version, recorded live at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 31, 1974, is included as the final track on the band's 1975 album, Searchin' for a Rainbow. Cash Box said of it that it showcased "their distinctive guitar and flute sounds."[3]

The original recording is noted for its flute introduction and ending, both by Jerry Eubanks.

Artistry

The song, musically, is a cross between country rock and Southern rock.[1]

The lyrics are noted as being dark, reflecting heartache and "a man running as far away as he can to begin the process of healing himself".[1]

Cover versions

Waylon Jennings

"Can't You See"
Single by Waylon Jennings
from the album Are You Ready for the Country
B-side	"I'll Go Back To Her"
Released	July 1976
Genre	Country
Length	3:46
Label	RCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Toy Caldwell
Producer(s)	Waylon Jennings Ken Mansfield
Waylon Jennings singles chronology
"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" (1975) "Can't You See" (1976) "Are You Ready for the Country" (1976)

"Can't You See" was covered by American country music artist Hank Williams Jr. for his 1975 album Hank Williams Jr. and Friends and also by Waylon Jennings for his 1976 album Are You Ready for the Country. Jennings' version was released as the album's first single in July 1976 and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[4] It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.[5]

Other versions

Matt Minglewood's The Minglewood Band recorded a version on 1979's Minglewood Band album. It is a staple in his live shows to this day, and includes a preamble about the song being about loneliness, painting a picture of a man leaving the rural East Coast of Canada for the Big City and how when his love leaves he's lonely. Halfway to Gone Covered the song on their 2002 album Second Season. Black Stone Cherry covered the song on their 2011 album Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea.[6]

Chart performance

The Marshall Tucker Band

Chart (1973)	Peak position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[7]	8
Chart (1977)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	75
Canadian RPM Top Singles	57
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary	39
Chart (2014)	Peak position
Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales	43

Waylon Jennings

Chart (1976)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9]	4
US Billboard Hot 100[10]	97
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1

Zac Brown Band with Kid Rock

Chart (2010)	Peak position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[11]	11

References

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