Hall & Oates -- I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)

 

Just in the last several days, I've been hearing about this feud between Daryl Hall and John Oates over a massive decoupling of their business partnerships. Every couple or partnership has their ups and downs but the fact that Hall & Oates are now going up against each other in court is rather sad considering all those wonderful songs that they've given us over the past half-century.

I can imagine that the late-night show hosts have already made darkly humorous hay over the battle, but I'm thinking that the two are basically attacking each other in the courtroom with their own hit song titles: "I can't go for that!", "No can do!", "Say it isn't so!", "You're out of touch!", and "Some things are better unsaid!". They're grooving each other into legal submission.

However, let's get back to happier decades with Hall & Oates. This week's Reminiscings of Youth article will be on their 1981 hit "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" which was released in November. Created by the duo and Sara Allen, I remember it for that sly smoky groove and the percussion, and then there was the music video which was as atmospheric as all get out with the gauzy lighting and just Daryl, John and saxophonist Charles DeChant grooving away in a darkened room. 

Considering the current frayed condition of the relationship between the two Pennsylvanians, the following which I got from "Something Else!" via Wikipedia is poignantly ironic concerning the meaning of the lyrics:

Speaking about the meaning of the lyrics, John Oates has stated that while many listeners may assume the lyrics are about a relationship, in reality, the song, "is about the music business. That song is really about not being pushed around by big labels, managers, and agents and being told what to do, and being true to yourself creatively." 

"I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" managed to reach as high as No. 2 on Canada's RPM ranking list while in the United States, it hit No. 1 on Billboard, going Gold in both countries. 

Now, which other three singles in Japan were being released in November 1981?

Hiroko Yakushimaru -- Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu （セーラー服と機関銃）

Junko Ohashi -- Silhouette Romance（シルエット・ロマンス）

Sugar -- Wedding Bell