Album: Private Eyes (1982)

Charted: 8 1

License This Song 

• Easy, ready, willing, overtime
  Where does it stop
  Where do you dare me
  To draw the line
  You've got the body
  Now you want my soul
  Don't even think about it
  Say no go
  
  I, I 'll do anything
  That you want me to do
  And I'll do almost anything
  That you want me to, ooh
  
  But I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  No, I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  
  I can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  
  I can go for being twice as nice
  I can go for just repeating
  The same old lines
  Use the body
  Now you want my soul
  Ooh, forget about it
  Now say no go
  
  I, I'll do anything
  That you want me to do
  I'll do almost anything
  That you want me to
  
  But I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  
  I can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  
  Yeah, I, I'll do anything
  That you want me to do
  And I'll do almost anything
  That you want me to
  
  But I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  
  I can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  Can't go for that
  I can't go for that
  
  No I can't go for that, no (no) no can do
  I can't go for that, no no, no can do
  I can't go for that, (no no no no) no I can't go for that
  
  I can't go for that (no can do)
  No can't do
  I can't go for that (no no no no can't do)
  I can't go for that
  I can't go for that, yeah (no can do)
  No, no, no, no, no, no Writer/s: Brycyn Evans, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Melissa Elliott, Roosevelt Iii Harrell, Sara Allen
  Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• Jor-el from AlabamaIt's
  
  I CAN'T go for being twice as nice
  I CAN'T go for just repeating the same old lines
  
  You have it listed as I CAN go etc.
  That makes no sense in the context of this song
• Paul Osman from Liverpool, England.This song reminds me of Al Green's style, reminiscent of Let's Stay Together in rhythm But a great song in its own right. Play both together!
• Tom from Appleton, WiJust heard on a "Live From Daryl's House" that this song was specifically about not bowing to the wishes of his record label. Songfacts ought have that as a category - including Billy Squire's "The Stroke" and Nick Lowe's "I Love My Label."
• Bill from Cheltenham, PaI can name a song made not long after this one that was VERY much influenced by it: "Yah Mo B There" by James Ingram/Michael McDonald from 1983
• Steve from Bradford, United KingdomI think 'Baba Oreilly' wrote by Pete Townsend of the Who, was the very first song to be released in 1971 (UK) to use experimental drum machines
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 30th, 1982 "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" reached #1, thus ending the 10 week reign of Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" as the
  No. 1 record. It also prevented Foreigner's "Waiting For A Girl Like You" from reaching #1, it had been #2 for nine straight weeks while "Physical" was in the top spot!!!
• Michael from Seabrook, NhWhen you think about it Hall & Oates body of work defines their era as well or better than most. It all sounds great twenty-five years later.
  
  Mike, NH,USA
• Spence from Brooklyn, NyIm my opinion, this is the greatest Pop song ever made!!!
• Liquid Len from Ottawa, Canada"This was one of the first ever chart hits to feature a drum machine."
  That songfact is incorrect. This was 1982 - several years AFTER the disco craze! By then drum machines were getting pretty standard.

More Songfacts:

Return To SenderElvis Presley

When the Elvis stamps came out in 1993, lots of folks used them to mail letters with bad addresses so they would be Returned To Sender.

Auld Lang SyneTraditional

The New Year's Eve favorite "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song that roughly translates to "Days Of Long Ago."

Space OddityDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Space Oddity" tells the story of an astronaut who cuts off communication and floats into space. The BBC used it extensively in their coverage of the 1969 moon landing - an odd choice considering the lyrics.

Friends In Low PlacesGarth Brooks

"Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks was written by two Nashville songwriters after a meal in a local restaurant. One of them forgot his money, but said not to worry, "I have friends in low places. I know the cook."

YYZRush

The instrumental "YYZ" by Rush got its title from the transmitter code for Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, near where the band is from.

RhiannonFleetwood Mac

"Rhiannon" is a Welch goddess. Stevie Nicks wrote the song, and it was a huge influence on her image, inspiring her flowing shawls and black outfits she began wearing on stage.

Editor's Picks

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.