"I Can't Stand It!" is a song by Dutch-American group Twenty 4 Seven, released as the debut single from their first album, Street Moves (1991). The song was produced by Dutch producer Ruud van Rijen and American producer/rapper/dancer Tony Dawson-Harrison (Captain Hollywood). The first version of the single featured rap vocals from rapper Ricardo Overman (MC Fixxit). After Overman's quick departure from the act, a new version of the single was recorded with Harrison. Both versions of the single featured singing vocals from Dutch singer Nancy Coolen. The single reached number one in Italy and the Top 5 position in several European countries, including Sweden, Germany, Austria, Spain and Switzerland. The single also charted at No. 17 in the Netherlands and No.7 in the UK.

"I Can't Stand It!"
Single by Twenty 4 Seven
from the album Street Moves
Released1990
Recorded1989
Genre
Length4:05 (Radio Version)
Label
  • Freaky Records
  • BCM Records
  • Central Station
Songwriter(s)
  • Ruud van Rijen
  • Tony Dawson-Harrison
Producer(s)
  • Ruud van Rijen
  • Tony Dawson-Harrison
Twenty 4 Seven singles chronology
"I Can't Stand It!"
(1990)
"Are You Dreaming?"
(1990)
Music video
"I Can't Stand It" on YouTube

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "light and catchy hip-houser".[1] A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "I Can't Stand It will never be regarded as innovative: the Martin Luther King [actually is a sample from Khalid Muhammad] "Robbed Of Our Nation..!' speech, the Kraftwerk-like synth, the ooh's and yeah' s have all been heard before, but seldom in such a strong pop context. The chorus, sung by Dutch Wendy James look-alike Nancy, is extremely catchy."[2] The magazine also stated, "Without doubt one of the strongest hip house records for some time, one that really stands out from the crowd."[3]

Music video

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Nancy Coolen in the official video of "I Can't Stand It".

There were two different music videos for the single albeit had the same setting (set outside a church with a Cadillac parked in front of it). The original hip-house version features Fixxit, Coolen and the dancers along with additional female dancers. When it later released internationally as a single it was redone with Hollywood as the featured rapper in place of Fixxit. Even the scene where the Cadillac's owner pushed aside the rappers was altered; Fixxit riding off in a bike, Hollywood in a car in need of gasoline. The video's song and message also featured the image and quotes of Nelson Mandela flashing in the song break.

Track listing

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Charts and certifications

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References

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  1. ^ Flick, Larry (13 April 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 67. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ^ "A Brief Spin Around The European Dance Floor" (PDF). Music & Media. 12 May 1990. p. S4. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Talent: Promising Acts" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 June 1990. p. 14. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Top 3 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. 1990-07-28. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  5. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. December 22, 1990. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 31, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Twenty 4 Seven".
  7. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 1991-03-09. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  8. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  9. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  10. ^ "Top Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 13 October 1990. p. 28. Retrieved 6 September 2023 – via World Radio History.
  11. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  12. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 60. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 15 January 2020 – via American Radio History.
  13. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Twenty 47 – I Can't Stand It" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
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