I Can't Stand It!

For similarly titled songs, see I Can't Stand It (disambiguation).

"I Can't Stand It!" is a song by Dutch-American musical group Twenty 4 Seven, released as their debut single from their first album, Street Moves (1991). The song was produced by Dutch producer Ruud van Rijen and American musician Tony Dawson-Harrison (Captain Hollywood). The first version of the single featured rap vocals from rapper Ricardo Overman (MC Fixx It). 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 five in several European countries, including Austria, Austria, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and West Germany.

"I Can't Stand It!"
Single by Twenty 4 Seven featuring MC Fixx It or Captain Hollywood
from the album Street Moves
Released	1990
Genre	Hip house
Length	4:05 (radio version)
Label	Freaky
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

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

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 listings

• CD mini, Netherlands; Vinyl 12-inch, Australia

1. "I Can't Stand It!" (original single version) — 4:09
2. "I Can't Stand It!" (Hip House single version) — 3:59
3. "I Can't Stand It!" (12-inch club nix) — 6:33
4. "I Can't Stand It!" (12-inch Hip House remix) — 6:02

• CD maxi, UK and Europe

1. "I Can't Stand It!" (radio version) — 4:05
2. "I Can't Stand It!" (Hip House remix) — 6:10
3. "I Can't Stand It!" (long instrumental) — 6:10

• CD maxi, UK and Europe

1. "I Can't Stand It!" (radio remix) — 3:35
2. "I Can't Stand It!" (club remix) — 9:35
3. "I Can't Stand It!" (dub mix) — 6:40

• Vinyl 12-inch, Canada

1. "I Can't Stand It!" (club mix) — 9:35
2. "I Can't Stand It!" (Hip House mix) — 6:10

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990–1991) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 38 Denmark (IFPI)[6] 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 7 France (SNEP)[8] 39 Greece (IFPI)[9] 10 Italy (Musica e dischi)[10] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11] 24 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 17 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 22 Portugal (AFP)[14] 2 Spain (AFYVE)[15] 3 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 7 UK Dance (Music Week)[19] 12 US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[20] 44 West Germany (GfK)[21] 3 Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[22] 10

Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[23] 5 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[24] 19 Germany (Media Control)[25] 12 Sweden (Topplistan)[26] 20 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] 4 UK Singles (OCC)[28] 69

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[29]	Gold	25,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone.