Michael Bolton, How Can We Be Lovers | Throwback Vibez

In the 23^rd  edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recollect and reflect on “How Can We Be Lovers” by Michael Bolton.

Can you feel those vibes, those surefire Throwback Vibez?! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. Ah, there is nothing like a good oldie to get you fired up! The records featured in this column feature gems from the 20^th century, with a few exceptions. All genres of music are welcome. In the 23^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recollect and reflect on “How Can We Be Lovers” performed by Michael Bolton.

Those are legitimate questions asked by the Grammy-winning pop/rock singer-songwriter Michael Bolton (b. 1953) on “How Can We Be Lovers”. In the intro and eventual chorus, Mr. Bolton continues, “How can we make love if we can’t make amends? / How can we be lovers if we can’t be, can’t be friends?” Word. “How Can We Be Lovers” is the fifth track from Bolton’s 1989 multi-platinum album, Soul Provider.  Soul Provider was chock-full of hits. “Lovers” was one of them, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The number three peak marked the third-best showing of Bolton’s entries on the pop charts, behind the number one peaks of his Grammy-winning covers of  “How Am I Supposed to Love Without You” and “When A Man Loves A Woman”. Bolton wrote “Lovers” with Hall of Fame songwriters Desmond Child (b. 1953) and Diane Warren (b. 1956).  Bolton and Child produced it as well.

“How Can We Be Lovers” commences with warm, ‘adult contemporary’ keyboards (Walter Afanasieff, b. 1958, and Greg Mangiafico). As the accompaniment fills out – and boy, does it fill out –  there are bombastic drums (Bobby Chouinard, 1953 – 1997), acoustic guitar and beefy electric guitar (John McCurry, b. 1957), and a robust bass line (Hugh McDonald, b. 1950).  The busy arrangement and big sound are part of the charm of this record.  Of course, the biggest charm is Michael Bolton.  Bolton brings it, delivering a love, nuanced, and powerful vocal performance.  “Oh, when there’s no communication / Oh, it’s a no-win situation,” he asserts in the first verse.  In the second, Bolton suggests, “Let’s break these chains, our love can free us.” Woo! As great as the verses are, the crème de la crème is the chorus, which features gang vocals.  There are lots of credited background vocalists, which is pretty cool. The bridge distinguishes itself from the verses and chorus, adding to the engaging nature.  By the end, with a timely modulation, Bolton soars, doing a little over everything with his vocal ad-libs.  Beyond the arrangement, production, vocals, and songwriting, the harmonic progression of “How Can We Be Lovers” deserves a huge shout-out. It is adventurous, not necessarily going where you’d expect.  Gotta love music theory!  Most of all, you’ve gotta love the Michael Bolton masterpiece that is “How Can We Be Lovers”. This is a classic that never grows old.

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Michael Bolton » Soul Provider » Sony Music Entertainment Inc. » 1989

Michael Bolton, How Can We Be Lovers: Throwback Vibez No. 23 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, schubinger from Pixabay]

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