"Why Can't I Have You" was first released on the "Heartbeat City" album in 1984. However, in January 1985, the song was released as a single in the US, UK and Germany, making it the fifth single from "Heartbeat City" (the previous singles being "You Might Think," "Magic," "Drive," and "Hello Again.") Although it did not reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 like its four predecessors, the song managed to peak at number 33 in the US charts, as well as #11 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The song was the last single from "Heartbeat City" to be released in the United States; in Britain, however, a sixth single, "Heartbeat City," was released after "Why Can't I Have You."