I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" is a 1981 song recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates.
It was the fourth number-one hit single of their career on the Billboard Hot 100 and the second hit single from their album Private Eyes. It features Charles DeChant on saxophone.
On January 30, 1982, "I Can't Go for That" ended a 10-week run at the top of the Hot 100 by Olivia Newton-John's song, "Physical".
Thanks to heavy airplay on urban-contemporary stations, "I Can't Go for That" also topped the U.S. R&B chart, a rare act for a non-African American act. The song also went to #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week in January of 1982.
Beyond being a number one hit in its own right, "I Can't Go for That" continues to bear influence. The song has been covered by a number of recording artists including Brian McKnight, The Nylons, Les Go (with Alfredo Alias), Donny Osmond, East End, Kansascali, and Orson. It was featured in British comedy series The Mighty Boosh (Series 3, Episode 3) where Bob Fossil danced to the song. "I Can't Go for That" was voted #6 on VH1's list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s".
A hip-hop favorite
The original track is one of the most sampled songs by R&B and hip-hop groups over the past twenty-five years. The following is a partial list:
- 1989 - "Say No Go" - De La Soul
- 1993 - "V.S.O.P" - Above the Law
- 1996 - "My Crew Can't Go for That" - Trigger tha Gambler
- 1996 - "So Deep" - Dan-e-o
- 1997 - "I'll Do Anything" - Heavy D
- 1997 - "I Can't Go for That" - 2 Live Crew
- 2000 - "Can't Go for That (Remix)" -Tamia
- 2002 - "4 Myself" Mac Dre ft. Devious and Dubee
- 2003 - "Sunrise" - Simply Red
- 2003 - "Take Me to Your Leader" - King Geedorah
- 2004 - "I Can't Go For That/Happy People Remix" - Notorious B.I.G. / R. Kelly ("Happy People" samples Spandau Ballet's "True")
- 2006 - "Give And Go" - Girl Talk
- 2006 - "No Can Do" - Tech N9ne
- 2006 - "Can't Go On" - Örten
Daryl Hall has claimed that Michael Jackson admitted to copying the bassline from this song in his song "Billie Jean".