Interview: John Oates on How “I Can’t Go For That” Influenced Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”

Daryl Hall and John Oates 1981 hit I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) is one of the most sampled songs in music history. It went to #1 after Olivia Newton John spent an 80s record 10 weeks at #1 Stopping Hall and Oates from replacing themselves at #1 since Private Eyes was at #1 just before Physical’s run. (It also kept Foreigner at #2 for a record 10 weeks! Not only has been sampled by numerous iconic songs over the years Furthermore it also influenced one of the biggest records of all time Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. Jackson told Hall and Oates at concert backstage that he would always dance to the record and he lifted the bass part from it. Years later it would be sampled on numerous rap and hip hop albums. John Oates tells the story of the #1 hit and how it has been misunderstood by many listeners thinking it was a lovesong but that it is actually as song against the power brokers of the entertainment industry.

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