"I Can Love You Better" is a song written by Pamela Brown Hayes and Kostas and recorded by American country music group the Dixie Chicks. It was the first single released by the group to feature Natalie Maines following their former lead vocalist Laura Lynch's departure from the group in 1995. The song premiered to country radio on October 27, 1997, as the group's debut single from their fourth studio album and major label debut Wide Open Spaces (1998).

Representing the group's first success, the song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was a minor hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 77. The group performed the song on two of their tours, the 2000 Fly Tour and the 2013 Long Time Gone Tour. The Dixie Chicks also performed a parody of the song, "No Letter Better Than B", on Sesame Street.

Content

The song's narrator is assuring a man that she can love him better and make him forget his previous love.

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine cited the track as "convincing" in his review of the album for Allmusic.^[2]

Music video

The music video for "I Can Love You Better" was directed by Chris Rogers. In it, the Dixie Chicks are shown performing the song while in an airport lobby. They are also shown sitting on an airport baggage claim belt, in a bakery, and on a crowded sidewalk.

Chart performance

Chart (1997-1998)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)^[3]	3
US Billboard Hot 100^[4]	77
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)^[5]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (1998)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)^[6]	77
US Country Songs (Billboard)^[7]	57

References

^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wide Open Spaces review". Allmusic. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3516." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 13, 1998. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
^ "Dixie Chicks Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "Dixie Chicks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1998". RPM. December 14, 1998. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
^ "Best of 1998: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1998. Retrieved July 14, 2013.

v t e The Chicks
Natalie Maines Emily Strayer Martie Maguire Laura Lynch Robin Lynn Macy
Studio albums	Thank Heavens for Dale Evans Little Ol' Cowgirl Shouldn't a Told You That Wide Open Spaces Fly Home Taking the Long Way Gaslighter
Compilations	Playlist: The Very Best of Dixie Chicks The Essential Dixie Chicks
Singles	"I Can Love You Better" "There's Your Trouble" "Wide Open Spaces" "You Were Mine" "Tonight the Heartache's on Me" "Ready to Run" "Cowboy Take Me Away" "Goodbye Earl" "Cold Day in July" "Without You" "If I Fall You're Going Down with Me" "Heartbreak Town" "Some Days You Gotta Dance" "Long Time Gone" "Landslide" "Travelin' Soldier" "Top of the World" "I Hope" "Not Ready to Make Nice" "Everybody Knows" "The Long Way Around" "Daddy Lessons" "Gaslighter"
Live recordings	An Evening with the Dixie Chicks Top of the World Tour: Live (video)
Tours	Fly Tour Top of the World Tour Vote for Change Accidents & Accusations Tour Long Time Gone Tour DCX MMXVI World Tour The Chicks Tour
Related articles	Discography Awards and nominations Comments on George W. Bush Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing Court Yard Hounds "You Can't Hurry Love" "Sin Wagon" "Roly Poly" "Soon You'll Get Better"
Collaborators	Lloyd Maines David Grissom Dan Wilson