I Can't Go for That

 
Well, once again I have come to a tune with a debatable release date.  "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" by Daryl Hall and John Oates was released in 1982 according to the Songfacts website, but it was on the album Private Eyes, which was released in 1981.  So, I am going with 1981.  That seems correct to me.  I was pretty young, so I don't remember this song too well from back when it was released.  I think I probably became familiar with it later in the '80s.  It is supposedly one of the top 100 tunes of the 1980s, and I can believe it.

So, this song is pretty much about a man and a woman in a relationship.  She uses her body tand now she wants his soul, but he won't think about it -- say no go.  I'm sitting here wondering what "that" is that he can't go for.  I am thinking it might be cheating and coming back.  That seems to be a hot topic in many '80s songs.  Some people take the cheater back, and some can't go for that, no can do.  I can't be 100% sure that he is talking about cheating, but it seems from the song that she might be the type of woman to go out and cheat and then come back and still want to have a relationship.  Not sure.  In fact, I wasn't even sure that there was an alto sax solo in this, because when I listened to it, it sure sounded like tenor to me.  In the video, there is an alto, but in many live performances, it's tenor.  I, personally, prefer tenor because it has a richer, darker tone.  Meanwhile, this song is supposedly the first to use a drum machine, which I think really gives it it's groove.  I also happen to like the mystical, tinkly synthesized part in the beginning.  You can hear that throughout the song as well.  In fact, this tune has so many musical layers -- it is amazing.  Now, I can go for that!

Bad Reputation

I wasn't sure what to write about this evening, so I started browsing through some tunes from 1980.  Have to say that I wasn't too excited about any one of them in particular tonight.  In fact, I think I found some of them to be a little on the cheesy side.  It's no fault to the singers, though, because even someone like Diana Ross can get stuck with a tune that is just downright silly.  Sometimes, it just happens...

Anyway, somehow I came across Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," which was written just one year later in 1981.  Now, this is a classic tune that just about sums it up for me.  Yeah, I don't give a d@mn 'bout my reputation either, so this is perfect!  I'm just a clarinet player and not anywhere near as rockingly awesome as Joan Jett, but this message is probably shared by more than you'd think.  I noticed recently that Miley Cyrus covered this tune, and I even saw a video of her performing with Joan Jett.  Poor Joan.  No offense to anyone's creativity or artistic freedom, but Miley Cyrus?  Come on.  All I can think about is bubble gum and popcorn.  I just don't see Miley coming anywhere close to the renegade spirit of Joan Jett.  Teenaged rebellion just isn't the same, and I don't think Miley's hairdos or tattoos really are all that shockingly rebellious.  Anyway, back to Joan Jett.  SHE ROCKS!  Yup -- that about says it all.  The song was inspired by her search for a record company and the advice given to her by her producer Kenny Laguna.  She wasn't going to change for anyone, regardless of how many companies wouldn't sign her because of her "bad reputation."  Yeah -- right on, Joan.  I hear you loud and clear.  That message is so meaningful today -- and probably shared by even more than it was in 1981.  Let's face it, there is so much nonsense in the world today, and so many people talking about what is politically correct or not. Sometimes, you just have to say, "I don't give a d@mn" about what people think.  "A girl can do what she wants to do, and that's what I'm gonna do!"  You can, too -- just turn this tune on and crank it up!