We Can’t Be Friends – Deborah Cox (with R.L. from Next) | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#8) and R&B (#1 for 2 weeks); 1999
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Of the many great classic R&B singers, it was Gladys Knight who really sparked Deborah Cox’s passion for music. Growing up, she gained experience singing commercial jingles and working with bands, and then studied at the Claude Watson School For The Performing Arts.
Deborah ultimately found an prominent showcase for her talent as backup singer for Celine Dion. A deal with Arista Records followed in 1993, and two years later her first album was in the record bins. Her sophomore effort, 1998’s One Wish, got off to a slow start when Things Just Ain’t The Same stumbled.
The second single – Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here – avenged Things‘ weak showing by becoming the #1 single of the year. Then, in seesaw fashion, her first record of 1999, It’s Over Now, performed poorly with a compensating #1 R&B ride from We Can’t Be Friends.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Shep Crawford
Lyrics Written by:
- Shep Crawford
- Jimmy Russell
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).