Couldn't I Just Tell You

Album: Something/Anything? (1972)
Charted: 93
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After Todd Rundgren had his big breakthrough hit with "I Saw The Light," his record company (Bearsville/Warner Bros.) decided "Couldn't I Just Tell You" should be the follow-up single. It bombed, so for the next single, they edited the LP version of "Hello It's Me" and released it, providing Rundgren with a Top 5 hit. "Couldn't I Just Tell You," while never a hit, became a huge FM staple and one of Todd's most influential recordings as a solo artist. Rundgren took a jab at the record company in the liner notes to the album, where he wrote of this song: "The hits just keep on coming." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jac - Goshen, KY

Comments: 4

  • Ric from Erskine, United KingdomYeah, Weavil. Most of Todd's genius flew below the radar of American musical minds... and into the statacaster-sphere as well!!!
  • Joe from Chicago, IlMaybe not #1, but still a tremendous song by an amazing rock legend.
  • Weavil from Wisconsin Rapids, Wione of THE best power pop riffs ever combined wi, full and lucious harmonies and a smokin'-hot lead guitar solo, this should have been a #1 hit but, like much of master Todd's work, it flew below the radar of America's minds.
  • Bill from St. Paul, MnIt's a mystery why this was never a hit. A great song. Love the rhythm guitar.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.