Can I
Eddie Kendricks Lyrics


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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 too, ooh,
But I can't go for that, (No can do)
No, I can't go for that, (No can do)
Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do)
I can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that.

I can't go for being twice as nice,
I can't 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,
And I'll do almost anything, that you want me too, ooh,
But I can't go for that, (No can do)
No, I can't go for that, (No can do)
Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do)
I can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that.

I, I 'll do anything that you want me to do,
And I'll do almost anything, that you want me too, ooh,
But I can't go for that, (No can do)
No, I can't go for that, (No can do)
Oh, I can't go for that, (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, can't go for that (No can do)
I can't go, I can't go, for that, (No can do)
Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do)
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no can do,




Oh, I can't go for that, yeah, (No can do)
No, no, no, no, no, no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eddie Kendricks's song "Can I" depict a man who is being propositioned by a woman who is trying to get him to do things that he is not comfortable with. The man is willing to do a lot of things for her, but he draws the line when it comes to compromising his sense of self and personal values. The first lines of the song suggest that the woman is pushing him to work overtime and exceed his limits, but he questions where the line should be drawn. He then acknowledges that the woman is interested in his body, but he refuses to let her have his soul or let her control him. Throughout the song, he repeats the chorus "No can do," indicating his resolve not to be manipulated or persuaded to do things against his own will.


The song can be interpreted in various ways. Some critics suggest that it represents the struggle for personal agency and the balance between giving and receiving within a romantic relationship. Others argue that it is about the challenges of living in a society that demands conformity and performance at the expense of individual values and identities.


Line by Line Meaning

Easy, ready, willing, overtime,
The singer is describing their eagerness and willingness to please someone, even to the point of working extra hard.


Where does it stop, where do you dare me to draw the line.
The singer questions where their limit lies and wonders how much more the other person will demand from them.


You've got the body, now you want my soul,
The singer feels as though they've given enough physical intimacy and now the other person is expecting something deeper and more personal.


Don't even think about it, say no go.
The artist is firmly telling the other person to stop trying to push things further and indicating that they are not willing to comply.


I, I 'll do anything that you want me to do,
The artist is expressing their willingness to comply with the other person's wishes.


And I'll do almost anything, that you want me too, ooh,
The singer is reinforcing their eagerness and willingness to please the other person.


But I can't go for that, (No can do)
The singer is stating that there are certain things they are not willing to do or tolerate.


No, I can't go for that, (No can do)
The artist repeats that message more emphatically.


Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do)
The artist reiterates their firm stance that they will not comply with certain demands.


I can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that.
The artist repeats their refusal, emphasizing that it is unwavering.


I can't go for being twice as nice,
The singer refuses to keep intensifying their efforts to please the other person.


I can't go for just repeating the same old lines.
The artist is not willing to keep doing the same things in a repetitive manner.


Use the body, now you want my soul,
The singer feels as though the other person is attempting to take advantage of them.


Ooh, forget about it, now say no go.
The singer insists that the other person must stop trying to push things further and accept their refusal.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sara Allen, John Oates, Daryl Hall

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Marcia Pitts

"NO ONE!" "I MEAN NO ONE!"
COULD.PERIOD.PAST or PRESENT,
POSSESS THE PHENOMENAL,
BRILLIANT,TALENT OF THIS
GIFTED MAN! I'M ONLY ONE
GREAT FAN,THERE'S
THOUSANDS OF US STILL
LISTENING AND REMINISCING
"TO HIS ONE OF A KIND VOICE!"
MR.KENDRICK YOU,YOUR SMILE,
YOUR FAMILY WILL NEVER BE
FORGOTTEN!🙏 "GOD BLESS"



All comments from YouTube:

Britian Jacobs

THANK YOU, TO EVERYONE WHO LOVE'S HIM & HIS TALENT. I LOVE HIM TOO, RIP DAD, WE ALL LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

RealLadi 228

Britian Jacobs
This is my song on constant repeat!

Gloria Martin

Britian Jacobs so glad to have lived in the era where Eddie Kendricks captured a young girls heart and through his musical talents taught her how to love ❤️ Rest In Heavenly Peace Mr. Eddie Kendricks, God Bless ❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️

runawaychild2

BJ.. I play Eddie's music every single day.. I have his entire catalog of music.. my GF always tells everyone, my man loves him some Eddie Kendrick! by the way her favorite EK song is 'I Did It All For You'.. still playing his music in 2017

Pat Caruthers Caruthers

Gloria Martin Amen

Lady Blue

Britian Jacobs ...Bless u and Eddie Kendrick family.

63 More Replies...

Teresa Johnson

It's 2022 and his voice still sets my soul on fire!

Lola Jones-Baldwin

Mine too…❤️

Etta Johnson

It is 2023 and this song still sounds extraordinary special! RIP

freemedia freeman

awwww bless

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