According to their Myspace Profile "Greg and Inara met a few years ago. Discovered a common love of jazz standards...nerded out for a couple of hours playing every song they knew...and then wrote and recorded a record together."
I Can't Go for That
The Bird and the Bee 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 to The Bird & The Bee's song I Can't Go for That are about a person who is being pursued by someone else who is trying to use their charm and sex appeal to win them over. The first verse sets the tone with the lyrics "Easy, ready, willing, overtime. Where does it stop? Where do you dare me to draw the line?" indicating that the person being pursued is willing to go along with the advances as long as they don't cross a certain boundary. The next line, "You've got the body, now you want my soul," suggests that the person doing the pursuing is looking for more than just a casual fling.
The chorus "Yeah but I can't go for that no (no can do)" reinforces the theme of setting boundaries and not being swayed by someone's charm. The second verse suggests that the person being pursued is willing to go along with certain things, such as "being twice as nice" or "just repeating the same old lines" but that they ultimately draw the line at anything that compromises their integrity or sense of self.
Overall, the lyrics to I Can't Go for That are about setting boundaries and not being swayed by someone else's charm or advances, no matter how tempting they may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Easy, ready, willing, overtime
It's easy to give in to your demands, I'm ready to do whatever you need, and I'm even willing to put in extra effort.
Where does it stop
I'm wondering if there's a limit to your requests.
Where do you dare me to draw the line
I'm asking you to clarify your boundaries and how far you expect me to go.
You've got the body, now you want my soul
You're asking for more than just my physical willingness, but my emotional investment and well-being as well.
Don't even think about it, say no go
I'm not willing to entertain the idea of sacrificing my soul for your body; no way, no how.
Yeah, I'll do anything that you want me to do
I'm reiterating my willingness to comply with your requests.
And I'll do almost anything that you want me too, ooh
I'm willing to go the extra mile, but still need to know those boundaries we talked about earlier.
Yeah but I can't go for that no (no can do)
Despite my initial willingness, I have to put my foot down and say that there are certain things I won't do.
I can go for being twice as nice
I'm happy to be kind and courteous, but need to maintain my own sense of identity and worth too.
I can go for just repeating the same old lines
I'm okay with continuing with our usual dynamic or routine, but am not willing to make big changes or sacrifices.
Use the body, now you want my soul
Again, you're trying to get me to give up more than just my physical presence or effort.
Ooh, forget about it, now say no go
I'm not going to budge on this, so let's move on and focus on what's within the realm of possibility.
No, I can't go for that (no can do)
I'm standing my ground and reiterating that there are certain things I won't do.
Forget about it no go
Let's move on from this topic, as it's not worth pursuing.
No go no go
Again, I'm reminding you that this is not something I'm willing to do.
No can do (no can do)
I'm sticking to my guns and not compromising on this.
Can't go for that yeah (no can do)
I know my limits and I'm not going to budge on this.
No no no no no
I'm being very clear and emphatic---I won't do it.
No no no no no no can do
I'm making it crystal-clear that this request is not on the table.
Can't go for that yeah (no can do)
Once again, I'm reminding you that this is not an area where I'm willing to compromise.
No can't go
I'm not budging on this issue.
Go for that, yeah
Let's focus on things that are in my comfort zone instead.
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
@violetl8508
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-I, I 'll do anything
That you want me to do
Yeah, I, I-I, I'll do almost anything
That you want me too, ooh
Yeah
But I can't go for that, nooo
(No)
No can do
I can't go for that, nooo
(No)
No can do
I can't go for that, nooo
(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-I, I 'll do anything
That you want me to do
Yeah, I, I-I, I'll do almost anything
That you want me too, ooh
Yeah
But I can't go for that, nooo
(No)
No can do
I can't go for that, nooo
(No)
No can do
I can't go for that, nooo
(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
[Instrumental Interlude]
Yeah, I, I-I, I 'll do anything
That you want me to do
Yeah, I, I-I, I'll do almost anything
That you want me too, ooh
Yeah
But I can't go for that, nooo
(No)
No can do
I can't go for that, nooo
(No)
No can do
I can't go for that, nooo
(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..
@leftytingles5516
I played this nonstop my freshman year in college when it came out. Popped into my head randomly and keeping it on repeat!
@gamerock10
What an amazing cover! Not many artists have the charm and skill for making a classic even better! And that soothing voice? Ugh! Perfection!
@strayfies
This woman is ridiculously good.
@cocoaorange1
I just listened to their CD. I never heard of the duo before. I am an 80's, the tunes brought back fond memories. Nice cover group.
@bmdola
this is how a good cover is made. with class and creativity. hats off bird & bee
@RuckRuRaggie
My grandfather has the original version of this song in his collection. I played this version for him, he was not disappointed at all, in fact. He actually loved this cover.
@penalizer1
+Jerissa Martinez Have him listen to the From Hall's house version with Chromeo. My 68 YO mother dug it
@christopherhill1652
Sean, I remember the original from when it was released and actually think the version with Chromeo is my favorite. This version is pretty good too.
@kathryncampbell3504
Jerissa Martinez love these guys
@drleonardchurcht7562
Jerissa Martinez right!! It is a beautiful cover!!! Respects the original but puts an awesome new style on it