Liz Phair - Why Can't I？

What this video is

Released May 2003 as the lead single from Liz Phair's self-titled fourth album on Capitol Records, 'Why Can't I?' represented a deliberate and controversial pivot from Phair's indie-rock origins toward Matrix-produced pop-rock aimed at mainstream radio. Co-written with The Matrix — the production team behind Avril Lavigne and other early-2000s pop acts — the single attracted intense critical debate about indie…

Why it matters

A canonical example of early-2000s indie-to-mainstream crossover, 'Why Can't I?' became Phair's highest-charting single (US Billboard Hot 100 #32) and her only top-40 hit, certified gold with 500,000 US copies sold. It stands as a defining artifact of the Matrix production era and the tensions…

The director

Philip Harder (born 1965) is an American music video and commercial director represented by Bob Industries, Santa Monica. He operated Harder/Fuller Films from 1985 to 2005 and directed at Quentin Tarantino's A Band Apart Commercials and Music Videos. His…