"I Can Love You" is a song by American recording artist Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige along with her sister LaTonya Blige-DaCosta, Rodney Jerkins, and Lil' Kim for her third album, Share My World (1997), with Jerkins producing the song and Lil Kim having featured vocals. In addition, the song also features a sample of the song "Queen Bitch," a track from Kim's debut album Hard Core (1996), co-written by Carlos Broady and Nashiem Myrick. "I Can Love You" was released as the second single from Share My World in the US, where it reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"I Can Love You"
Single by Mary J. Blige featuring Lil' Kim
from the album Share My World
Released	May 6, 1997 (1997-05-06)
Recorded	1996
Studio	The Record Plant (Los Angeles, California)
Genre	R&B hip hop soul
Length	4:23
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Mary Blige LaTonya Blige-DaCosta Rodney Jerkins Kimberly Jones Carlos Broady Nashiem Myrick
Producer(s)	Rodney Jerkins
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"Love Is All We Need" (1997) "I Can Love You" (1997) "Everything" (1997)
Lil' Kim singles chronology
"Crush On You" (1997) "I Can Love You" (1997) "Ladies Night (Not Tonight Remix)" (1997)

Release and reception

"I Can Love You" was issued as a radio-only promotional single in America. Ultimately, it peaked at number two on the R&B singles chart and number twenty-eight on the American pop chart. In the UK, the song was released as the b-side to "Missing You".

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "R&B radio has already deemed this second single from the gorgeous "Share My World" as a deserved smash—now it's time for pop programmers to do the same. Like its predecessor, "Love Can Turn Around", this jam cruises at an uplifting jeep-funk pace, with Miss Blige getting sultry over layers of soothing love chants tightly arranged by producer-of-the-moment Rodney Jerkins. The result is a wickedly catchy jam that will sooth a brow fevered by the ongoing spree of factory-like funk that crowds the airwaves. Top 40 will probably focus on the snug rap-free edit, though the more airy and expansive album version has a guest rhyme by Lil' Kim that's quite cute and well worth a listen."[1]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "I Can Love You" was shot in May 1997 and directed by Kevin Bray. Shot at a house and forest, It features Mary, Kim, and other people that are partying and having fun.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Share My World liner notes.[2]

• Mary J. Blige – lead vocals, background vocals
• LaTonya Blige-DaCosta – background vocals
• Rodney Jerkins – production
• Lil' Kim – additional vocals

Charts

References