Todd Rundgren released his version on his 1978 album Hermit of Mink Hollow. This was the only hit single on the album, becoming a #29 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The emotional lyrics describe a relationship in which Rundgren and the woman to which he is singing have given great effort, but which simply cannot work. Todd explains this, but wishes to part amicably, asking several times if he and his partner can "still be friends." In 1994, this song made a prominent appearance in the movie "Dumb and Dumber". It also appears on the soundtrack for the 2001 film "Vanilla Sky", and the TV show "Nip/Tuck.

[edit] Robert Palmer version

In 1979, "Can We Still Be Friends" became a hit again when Robert Palmer recorded a version for his album Secrets. This version, which peaked at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100, is a fairly faithful rendition of the Todd Rundgren original.

[edit] Other versions

Rod Stewart remade this song as a track for his 1984 album Camouflage. This version is performed at a faster tempo than Rundgren's and Palmer's versions and features more prominent use of the synthesizer. In 2001, Vonda Shepard's remake appeared on a soundtrack for the television show Ally McBeal. Mandy Moore recorded a version appearing on her 2003 album Coverage, which is composed entirely of remakes. Argentine rock musicians, Charly García and Nito Mestre, founding members of the band Sui Generis, recorded a Spanish version entitled "Yo soy su papá" ("I am his father"), appearing on their 2000 album Sinfonías para adolescentes (Symphonies for Teenagers).