How Can We Be Lovers

"How Can We Be Lovers" is a song written by Michael Bolton, Diane Warren, and Desmond Child and performed by Bolton. Released as the third single from Bolton's sixth studio album, Soul Provider (1989), it peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the UK Singles Chart in May 1990. The song also reached number two in Canada, number three in Australia, number 10 in Sweden, and number 18 in Ireland.

"How Can We Be Lovers"
US retail cassette variant of standard artwork; the US CD edition was promo-only
Single by Michael Bolton
from the album Soul Provider
B-side	"That's What Love Is All About"
Released	1990
Genre	Rock
Length	3:55
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Michael Bolton Diane Warren Desmond Child
Producer(s)	Desmond Child Michael Bolton (co.)
Michael Bolton singles chronology
"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" (1989) "How Can We Be Lovers" (1990) "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" (1990)

Track listings

US and Australian 7-inch and cassette single; Japanese mini-CD single^[1][2][3]

1. "How Can We Be Lovers" – 3:55
2. "That's What Love Is All About" – 3:56

UK 7-inch and cassette single^[4][5]

1. "How Can We Be Lovers" – 3:55
2. "The Hunger" – 4:18

UK 12-inch single and CD1^[6][7]

1. "How Can We Be Lovers" – 3:55
2. "Fools Game" – 3:50
3. "The Hunger" – 4:18

UK CD2^[8]

1. "How Can We Be Lovers"
2. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (live)
3. "The Hunger"
4. "I Almost Believed You"

European 7-inch and mini-CD single^[9][10]

1. "How Can We Be Lovers" – 3:55
2. "Call My Name" – 4:15

European mini maxi-CD single^[11]

1. "How Can We Be Lovers" – 3:55
2. "Call My Name" – 4:15
3. "Fools Game" – 3:50

Personnel

• Michael Bolton – lead and background vocals
• Gregg Mangiafico – keyboards
• Bobby Chouinard – drums
• John McCurry – electric and acoustic guitar
• Hugh McDonald – bass guitar
• Eric Rehl – synthesizer
• Myriam Valle, Jon Fiore, Kyf Brewer, Kate McGunnigle, Joe Cerisano, Patty Darcy, Louis Merlino, Bernie Shanahan, Desmond Child – background vocals
• Sir Arthur Payson – engineer, mixing
• Joe Pirrera, Keith Goldstein, Roy Hendrickson, Danny Mormando, Mike Kowiak – assistant engineers
• John Herman – assistant mix engineer
• Steve Savitt – production manager

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[12] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 30 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] 2 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[15] 11 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[16] 28 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 18 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[18] 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 38 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 27 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] 10 UK Singles (OCC)[22] 10 US Billboard Hot 100[23] 3 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[24] 3

Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position Australia (ARIA)[25] 41 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 41 US Billboard Hot 100[27] 52 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[28] 34

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[25]	Gold	35,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. How Can We Be Lovers (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Michael Bolton. Columbia Records. 1990. 38-73318.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
2. How Can We Be Lovers (Australian cassette single sleeve). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655806 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. How Can We Be Lovers (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Michael Bolton. CBS/Sony. 1990. CSDS 8129.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. How Can We Be Lovers (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655918 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
5. How Can We Be Lovers (UK cassette single sleeve). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655918 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. How Can We Be Lovers (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655918 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. How Can We Be Lovers (UK CD1 liner notes). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655918 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. How Can We Be Lovers (UK CD2 liner notes). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655918 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. How Can We Be Lovers (European 7-inch single sleeve). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655836 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. How Can We Be Lovers (European mini-CD single liner notes). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655836 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. How Can We Be Lovers (European mini maxi-CD single liner notes). Michael Bolton. CBS Records. 1990. 655836 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. "Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
13. "Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
14. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9138." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
15. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9027." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
16. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. June 9, 1990. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – How Can We Be Lovers". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
18. "Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers". top40.nl. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
19. "Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
20. "Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
21. "Michael Bolton – How Can We Be Lovers". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
22. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
23. "Michael Bolton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
24. "Michael Bolton Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
25. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1990". ARIA. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
26. "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Retrieved July 18, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
27. "Billboard Top 100 – 1990". Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
28. "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2021.