Musical Monday - I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) by Hall and Oates

#1 on the Billboard Hot 100: The week of January 30, 1982.

#1 on the Cash Box Top 100: January 16, 1982 through January 23, 1982

#1 on the U.K. Chart: Never.

This is Hall and Oates third time on this list, which highlights just how dominant this duo was on the pop music scene of the early 1980s. Prior to Michael Jackson releasing Thriller, they were set to be the defining signature band of the decade. Even in the shadow of Jackson, they were a powerful influence on music of the era, bringing a smooth, urban, at times almost jazz-like sound to the fore in pop music.

This song is simply yet another entry in their catalog: A smooth song built around a fairly catchy hook, Hall's superb vocals, some beautiful backing vocals, and a saxophone solo. There's nothing to jar the ride through the song as it flows by like a well-aged whiskey. On the other hand, there's nothing that really sticks in one's mind about this song after it is done. It is polished almost to the point of slipperiness, sliding past the listener's ears without leaving anything really memorable to hang on to. This more or less summarizes much of the early 1980s: Pretty, but not otherwise noteworthy.

On a final note, note Darryl Hall and John Oates both wearing sport jackets with t-shirts despite the fact that Miami Vice wouldn't come out until two years after this video. Just remember this when you see people crediting Don Johnson with being an innovative style icon of the 1980s.

Previous Musical Monday: The Land of Make Believe by Bucks Fizz

Subsequent Musical Monday: Oh Julie by Shakin' Stevens

Previous #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Physical by Olivia Newton-John

Subsequent #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Centerfold by the J. Geils Band

Previous #1 on the Cash Box Top 100: Physical by Olivia Newton-John

Subsequent #1 on the Cash Box Top 100: Centerfold by the J. Geils Band

List of #1 Singles from the Billboard Hot 100 for 1980-1989
List of #1 Singles from the Cash Box Top 100 for 1980-1989
List of #1 Singles on the U.K. Chart for 1980-1989

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