I Can't Go for That
DARYL HALL＆JOHN OATES Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Yeah, I 'll do anything
That you want me to do
And I'll do almost anything
That you want me too, ooh
Yeah but I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't go for that 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
Yeah I, I'll do anything
That you want me to do
Yeah I'll do almost anything
That you want me to do
Yeah but I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't go for that 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
Yeah I'll do anything
That you want me to do
Yeah I'll do almost anything
That you want me to do
Yeah but I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't go for that 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
No, I can't go for that (no can do)
I can't go for that
I can't go, I can't go
No, I can't go for that no
No can do (no can do)
Forget about it
Forget about it no go
No go no go
I can't go for that yeah (no can do)
Forget about it no
Forget about it no go
No go no go
No can do (no can do)
No no no no no
No no no no no no can do
Can't go for that yeah (no can do)
No no no no no
No no no no no no can do
Can't go for that yeah (no can do)
I can't go
No can't go
No can't go
Go for that, yeah
No can do (no can do)
I can't go
No can't go
I can't go
Go for that, yeah
No can do (no can do)
No no no no no
No no no no no no can do
The lyrics of "I Can't Go For That" by Daryl Hall and John Oates describe a situation where the singer is being asked to give too much of himself in a relationship. The opening lines express the idea of being "easy, ready, willing, overtime" but not knowing where to draw the line. The second verse finds the singer repeating the phrase "yeah I'll do anything that you want me to do," but ultimately realizing that he cannot give away his soul to this person. The chorus consists of a refrain where the singer repeatedly says that he cannot go for what is being asked of him ("no can do").
The lyrics suggest a struggle between two people in a relationship where one person is trying to take advantage of the other's willingness to please. The phrase "you've got the body, now you want my soul" could be interpreted to mean that the singer is losing his identity in this relationship, and that he needs to make a stand in order to protect himself. The phrase "forget about it" in the second verse seems to suggest that the singer is finally waking up to the reality of the situation and deciding to say no to this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Easy, ready, willing, overtime
I am prepared to work hard and am enthusiastic about your proposal.
Where does it stop
What are the limits to what you will ask of me?
Where do you dare me
Are you trying to challenge me to do something I'm uncomfortable with?
To draw the line
To establish a limit beyond which I won't comply.
You've got the body
You are physically attractive.
Now you want my soul
You are asking for something deeper and more personal than just a physical relationship.
Don't even think about it
I am not willing to consider what you're proposing.
Say no go
I'm not interested in what you're proposing.
Yeah, I'll do anything
I'm open to hearing what you want.
That you want me to do
I'm willing to consider your request.
And I'll do almost anything
I'm willing to consider most requests.
That you want me too, ooh
I'm willing to listen to what you have to say.
Yeah but I can't go for that no (no can do)
I can't agree to your request.
Can't go for that
I am not willing or able to comply.
Can't go for that yeah
Absolutely not.
I can go for being twice as nice
I am willing to alter my behavior or attitude to make you happy.
I can go for just repeating
I am willing to do something again because it makes you happy.
The same old lines
Repeating the same request or behavior repeatedly.
Use the body
You want me for my physical attributes.
Now you want my soul
You are asking for something deeper and more personal than just a physical relationship.
Ooh, forget about it
I'm not even going to consider your proposal.
Now say no go
I'm not interested in what you're proposing.
No, I can't go for that (no can do)
I am not willing or able to comply with your request.
No go no go
Absolutely not.
I can go
I am willing to comply with your reasonable requests.
Go for that, yeah
I am willing to consider what you're proposing.
No can't go
I am not willing or able to comply with your request.
Forget about it
I am not interested in what you are proposing.
No go no go
Absolutely not.
No can do (no can do)
I am not willing or able to comply with your request.
No no no no no
Absolutely not.
No no no no no no can do
Absolutely not.
Can't go for that yeah (no can do)
I am not willing or able to comply with what you're proposing.
No no no no no
Absolutely not.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MELISSA A. ELLIOTT, DARYL HALL, SARA ALLEN, JOHN WILLIAM OATES, BRYCYN JAMARI MALYKKE EVANS, ROOSEVELT III HARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joanietaylor-mitchell8559
When this came out I was dieing from stage 4 Breast Cancer..Now I'm celebrating 70th Birthday Season 2021. God Said Ni Can Do..Thanking Almighty God fir not just Salvation life Everlasting
@MrTsiolkovsky
You couldn't go for that.
@jamarfletcher4349
Love u baby
@tommyspring1904
Glad your here now! I survived cervical cancer stage 2 .. keep loving life sista!!
@antayat123
Beautiful!
@TheDarkDutchman
Wow! Glad you're still here!
@soul1380
That tinkling electronic keyboard really makes the song dreamy.
@Cosmopolitanovida
Cocaine?
@chuckythedoll4815
This song is still good. Because it is so well sung and the rhythm. Daryl was one of the best r&b singers out there.
@Chase_Jones
80's fans, there's an awesome original 80's inspired band today called Fire Tiger