Forster met McLennan during drama classes at the University of Queensland and, inspired by a mutual love of Bob Dylan and the New York music scene, they formed the Go-Betweens in 1977. In addition to his work with the Go-Betweens, Forster has released several solo albums, including: Danger in the Past, recorded in Berlin in 1990; Calling from a Country Phone, recorded at Sunshine Studios, Brisbane, in 1993 with members of local pop group Custard; I Had a New York Girlfriend, a collection of cover versions recorded in Melbourne in 1994; Warm Nights, recorded in London in 1996 and produced by Edwyn Collins; and The Evangelist, recorded (all but one track - "A Place to Hide Away") at Good Luck Studios, London, September - November 2007 with long time collaborators Glenn Thompson and Adele Pickvance.
Critically-acclaimed internationally as a songwriter, Forster reveals a strong literary influence in his work. In 2005, Forster began writing for the Australian magazine, The Monthly. Prior to this he had virtually no print experience, with only a column on hair care for a fanzine in the 1980s to his credit. On 25 October 2006, it was announced that Forster was the winner of the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing for his columns.
On 6 May 2006, Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane. Forster picked three songs co-written by Grant McLennan, including "Demon Days", which is the last song the pair wrote together, and recorded them alongside some of his own material to produce his first album in 11 years. The Evangelist was released on April 26, 2008 through Yep Roc Records.[5]
Forster announced his return to live performance with four nights at the Queensland Music Festival in July 2007.
I Can Do
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pick up the rhythm I get from you
Some of it's old and some of it's new
Always known it, never followed it through
I can do, I can do
Don't be surprised I'll be there
Don't be surprised and don't be scared
Pick up the rhythm I get from you
I can do, I can do
She reminds me of Africa though I've never been
Her ice water eyes and her costume of sand
Because this is something that I can do
Pick up the rhythm I get from you
I can do, I can do
The song "I Can Do" by Robert Forster is a mellow tune with a nostalgic feel to it. The opening lyrics suggest that the singer has always had an innate ability to pick up a rhythm and follow it through, but they have never fully explored this talent. The use of "some of it's old and some of it's new" could imply that the rhythm being picked up is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles that the singer has been exposed to over time.
The chorus reassures the listener that the singer's presence should not be a surprise or a cause for fear. He is simply doing what he knows how to do, which is to follow the rhythm. The second verse introduces a character that seems to be the singer's inspiration – a woman who reminds him of Africa. Her "costume of sand" and "ice water eyes" paint a vivid picture of her distinct appearance. It is unclear whether their relationship extends beyond her being an inspiration for his music.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of "I Can Do" is the ambiguity of its meaning. The lyrics are open to interpretation, and listeners can extract their own personal understanding of the song's message. Overall, the song imparts a sense of nostalgia and reflects on the experience of creating and appreciating music.
Line by Line Meaning
This is something that I can do
I have the ability to perform this task.
Pick up the rhythm I get from you
I can mimic and follow the beat that you produce.
Some of it's old and some of it's new
The rhythm I learn from you may be a combination of old and new styles.
Always known it, never followed it through
I have always had an interest in learning this rhythm, but have never actually pursued it until now.
Don't be surprised I'll be there
I will be present and ready to perform when needed.
Don't be surprised and don't be scared
You should not be surprised or afraid because I am confident in my abilities.
She reminds me of Africa though I've never been
The woman I am observing has characteristics that remind me of Africa, despite having never been there.
Her ice water eyes and her costume of sand
The woman in question has piercing blue eyes and is dressed in clothing that resembles sand.
Contributed by Riley I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.