Learn To Say No

Album: Jody Watley (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Learn To Say No" is a duet between Jody Watley and George Michael. They met in 1984 when recording "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for the charity collective Band Aid. Watley had some success with her band Shalamar, but by then she had left the group and was looking for a solo deal. Michael made her a deal: When she landed a record deal and made a solo album, he'd do a song with her. He kept his word. Michael was launching his own solo career (after Wham!) around this time but still made himself available to Watley. The song made it onto her debut album but wasn't released as a single, per edict from Michael's record label.
  • The song is about how our carnal desires can cloud our judgment, making it very hard to say no.
  • George Michael wrote the song, but it's a reworking of the 1982 tune "I've Got Learn to Say No!" by Richard "Dimples" Fields, an R&B singer whose biggest hit was "If It Ain't One Thing... It's Another" in 1982. Fields is credited as a writer on the track along with Michael.
  • "Learn To Say No" was produced by Bernard Edwards, who along with Nile Rogers was the power source in the band Chic. Edwards also produced Watley's "Don't You Want Me."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.