I Can Help (1974) 12/8/20

Sometimes you wonder just how many potential hit records were never recorded or released because some “suit” at a record company had a tin ear. Today, we highlight another case in point.

In 1974, singer/songwriter Billy Swan turned on his Rhythm Master Drum Machine, punched the “Rock” preset and wrote today's “Great Song of the '70s,” “I Can Help. in about 20 minutes!

When Billy went into the studio to record his next album, his producer Chip Young liked the song, but thought it could use a guitar solo and some background vocals. Billy wasn't too sure--until he heard the final mix, which also included applause sound effects at the end to give it an “in-studio party” sound. At that point, Billy was convinced it was a hit.

Monument Records, on the other hand, thought otherwise. (So what else is new?) According to Billy, the "suits" at the record company wanted another song to be the first single off the album, but he insisted “I Can Help” was the hit.

Monument even went so far as to hire a consultant, who concluded the entire album was terrible and needed to be re-cut.

Well, Monument wasn't about to throw extra money at a hitless album...so they bit the bullet and decided to release it with no changes...and give into Billy's wishes to make “I Can Help” the single.

So what happened next?

The song went to #1 in FOURTEEN COUNTRIES...and was a Top 10 hit in the UK and Spain. In the US, it was #1 on the Hot 100 and Country charts, as well as #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. In Canada, it was #1 on the Country Chart, #2 on the Top 40 and #4 on the AC Chart.

Billy went on to write and record a few other minor hits, so he wasn't exactly a one-hit wonder...but if Monument Records hadn't been so cheap--and wrong-- his “Great Song of 1974” might have never been heard!

“I Can Help:”