Misplaced Pages

It's All I Can Do: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 13:35, 29 November 2010 editPiriczki (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users17,624 edits no such version on that album← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:13, 25 October 2024 edit undoRlendog (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators173,787 edits →Reception: ultimate classic rock 
(128 intermediate revisions by 47 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{for|the Anne Murray song|It's All I Can Do (Anne Murray song)}} {{for|the Anne Murray song|It's All I Can Do (Anne Murray song)}}
{{Infobox single {{Infobox song
| Name = It's All I Can Do | name = It's All I Can Do
| Artist = ] | cover = It's All I Can Do cover.jpg
| from Album = ] | alt =
| Released = September 25, 1979 | type = single
| Recorded = 1979 | artist = ]
| album = ]
| Genre = ], ], ]
| Label = ] | B-side = {{ubl|"Got a Lot on My Head"|"]" (UK)}}
| released = {{Start date|1979|9|25}}
| Writer = ]
| recorded =
| Last single = "Double Life"<br />(1979)
| studio =
| This single = "'''It's All I Can Do'''"<br />(1979)
| venue =
| Next single = "Touch and Go"<br />(1980)
| genre = ], ]
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=45}}
| label = ] 46546
| writer = ]
| producer = ]
| prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 1979
| next_title = ]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{Extra track listing
| album = ]
| type = single
| tracks = {{Candy-O tracks}}
}} }}
}}
"'''It's All I Can Do'''" is a song by the ] ] band ]. It is the third track from their 1979 album '']''. It was written by the band's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist ], and features the bassist, ], on vocals. It was released as a single on September 25, 1979 and it peaked at number 41 on the ].<ref name="allmusicCharts">{{Cite web
"'''It's All I Can Do'''" is a song by the American ] band ]. It is the third track from their 1979 album '']''. It was written by the band's leader and songwriter ], and features bassist ] on vocals.
| url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3iftxqw5ldfe~T51
| title = The Cars: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles
| work = ]
| accessdate = September 25, 2010 }}</ref>


==Sound and genre debate== ==Sound and genre==
"It's All I Can Do" is a ] influenced ] ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/elliot-eastons-guide-cars-discography|title = Elliot Easton's guide to the Cars' discography| date=16 September 2019 }}</ref> According to ], writer of the '']'' album notes "'It's All I Can Do' was an affecting, straight-ahead piece of romantic pop, give or take a line like 'When I was crazy, I thought you were great.'"<ref name="anthology">{{cite AV media notes| title = Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology| title-link = Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology| others = ]| year = 1995| first = Brett| last = Milano| publisher = ] }}</ref> The track was described as "gentle" by ] reviewer Greg Prato, while Hamish Champ, writer of ''The 100 Best-Selling Albums of the 70s'' called the song "laidback".<ref name=www.superseventies.com>{{cite web|title=Candy-O album reviews|url=http://www.superseventies.com/spcars.html|website=Superseventies.com|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref>
According to Brett Milano, narrator of the mini anthology "book" inside the ] case, said "It's All I Can Do was an affecting, straight-ahead piece of romantic pop, give or take a line like 'When I was crazy, I thought you were great.'"


The bass lines and the ] guitar riffs have a major rock feel, but the song is softened down with ]'s vocals and ] keyboard and synth lines.
== Personnel ==
* ]: Lead vocals, Bass guitarist
* ]: Rhythm guitarist
* ]: Lead guitarist
* ]: Keyboard, synthesizer
* ]: Drums


==Release==
== Other appearances ==
"It's All I Can Do" was released as the follow-up to the "]" single on September 25, 1979, backed with "Got a Lot on My Head" in the U.S. and Canada, and with "]" in Britain. Although the song did not reach the Top 20 standard of its predecessor, it reached number 41 on the ].<ref name="allmusicCharts">{{cite web| url = {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p3850|pure_url=yes}}| title = The Cars: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles| work = ]| access-date = September 25, 2010 }}</ref> A third and final single from '']'', "]", failed to chart.
"It's All I Can Do" was featured in the 1998 film '']'', and included on the film's second soundtrack, titled ''Wedding Singer 2''.<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web

| url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:jz5px9usldae
==Reception==
"It's All I Can Do" has generally received positive reception from critics. Prato said that {{"'}}It's All I Can Do' ... deserved to be a hit," while Champ said the track (as well as its predecessor, "],") "give ample evidence of the band's range."<ref name=www.superseventies.com /> William Ruhlmann, author of ''The All-Music Guide to Rock'', said "'It's All I Can Do' hit as well ", and in the '']'' review of ''Candy-O'', the song was chosen as one of the "best cuts".<ref name=www.superseventies.com /> In a negative review, Tom Carson of '']'' said, "'It's All I Can Do' calculatedly recycles the ']' hook but to less-telling effect. It's simply cold."<ref name=www.superseventies.com /> '']'' felt "It's All I Can Do" was less "dynamic and catchy" than "Just What I Needed" and "Let's Go," describing it as a "rocker with a simple melody line and spare instrumentation."<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|date=October 6, 1979|access-date=2020-07-07|newspaper=Billboard|page=70|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-10-06.pdf}}</ref> '']'' said it is "more subdued but equally intriguing" compared with "Let's Go" and said it has "infectious rhythms" and "sparse yet effective electronics."<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=October 6, 1979|page=20|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-10-06.pdf}}</ref> ''Classic Rock History'' critic Emily Fagan rated it as the Cars 5th best song sung by Orr, saying that the lyrics in the verses "speak to a relationship marked by disappointment and unfulfilled desire, while the chorus reinforces a sense of helplessness in the face of unresolved emotions."<ref name=crh>{{cite web|title=Top 10 Cars Songs Sung By Benjamin Orr|author=Fagan, Emily|date=September 2024|accessdate=2024-09-17|url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-cars-songs-sung-by-benjamin-orr/}}</ref> ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' critic Dave Swanson rated it as the 9th best Benjamin Orr Cars song, calling it "one of the Cars' most straightfoward love songs and praising the "linear keyboard, simple drums and shiny yet gritty guitars."<ref name=ucr>{{cite web|last1=Swanson|first1=Dave|title=Top 10 Benjamin Orr Cars Songs|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/benjamin-orr-cars-songs/|publisher=UltimateClassicRock|date=September 8, 2015|accessdate=2024-10-25}}</ref>

==B-side==
The B-side of "It's All I Can Do" is "Got a Lot on My Head", another track from ''Candy-O''. In a review of ''Candy-O'', AllMusic reviewer Greg Prato says the band "rocks out on 'Got a Lot on My Head' and ']'".<ref name="AMG-Candy-O">{{cite web
| url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/candy-o-r3400/review
| title = The Cars: Candy-O
| first = Greg
| last = Prato
| work = ]
| access-date = May 29, 2011}}</ref>

==Other appearances==
*"It's All I Can Do" was featured in the 1998 film '']'', and included on the film's second soundtrack, titled ''Wedding Singer 2''.<ref name=crh/><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web
| url = {{Allmusic|class=song|id=t18738505|pure_url=yes}}
| title = The Cars: It's All I Can Do | title = The Cars: It's All I Can Do
| work = ] | work = ]
| accessdate = September 25, 2010 }}</ref> | access-date = September 25, 2010 }}</ref>
*]/] band ] covered the song in 2005 as the B-side to their single "]". Their cover was later included in '']'', a 2005 multi-artist collaborative album distributed by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-tribute-to-the-cars-substitution-mass-confusion-r730652 |title=A Tribute to the Cars: Substitution Mass Confusion - Various Artists &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=] |date=2005-02-08 |access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref>

==Personnel==
* ]: Lead vocals, bass guitar
* ]: Rhythm guitar
* ]: Lead guitar
* ]: Keyboard, synthesizer
* ]: Drums

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "It's All I Can Do"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1979)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|17|chartid=6912a|rowheader=true|access-date=May 23, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|41|artist=The Cars|rowheader=true|access-date=May 23, 2021}}
|-
! scope="row"| US '']'' Top 100 Singles<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19791124.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending November 24, 1979 |work=] |access-date=May 23, 2021}}</ref>
| 40
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "It's All I Can Do"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1979)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6855b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855b |title=1979 Top 200 Singles |magazine=RPM |volume=32 |issue=13 |date=December 22, 1979 |issn=0315-5994 |via=Library and Archives Canada}}</ref>
| 131
|}
{{col-end}}


== References == ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


{{The Cars}} {{The Cars singles}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:It's All I Can Do (The Cars Song)}} {{DEFAULTSORT:It's All I Can Do (Cars Song)}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 21:13, 25 October 2024

For the Anne Murray song, see It's All I Can Do (Anne Murray song). 1979 single by the Cars
"It's All I Can Do"
Single by the Cars
from the album Candy-O
B-side
  • "Got a Lot on My Head"
  • "Candy-O" (UK)
ReleasedSeptember 25, 1979 (1979-09-25)
GenreNew wave, pop rock
Length3:45
LabelElektra 46546
Songwriter(s)Ric Ocasek
Producer(s)Roy Thomas Baker
The Cars singles chronology
"Let's Go"
(1979) 		"It's All I Can Do"
(1979) 		"Double Life"
(1979)
Candy-O track listing
11 tracks
Side one
  1. "Let's Go"
  2. "Since I Held You"
  3. "It's All I Can Do"
  4. "Double Life"
  5. "Shoo Be Doo"
  6. "Candy-O"
Side two
  2. "Night Spots"
  3. "You Can't Hold on Too Long"
  4. "Lust for Kicks"
  5. "Got a Lot on My Head"
  6. "Dangerous Type"

"It's All I Can Do" is a song by the American rock band the Cars. It is the third track from their 1979 album Candy-O. It was written by the band's leader and songwriter Ric Ocasek, and features bassist Benjamin Orr on vocals.

Sound and genre

"It's All I Can Do" is a new wave influenced pop rock song. According to Brett Milano, writer of the Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology album notes "'It's All I Can Do' was an affecting, straight-ahead piece of romantic pop, give or take a line like 'When I was crazy, I thought you were great.'" The track was described as "gentle" by AllMusic reviewer Greg Prato, while Hamish Champ, writer of The 100 Best-Selling Albums of the 70s called the song "laidback".

The bass lines and the G major guitar riffs have a major rock feel, but the song is softened down with Benjamin Orr's vocals and Greg Hawkes keyboard and synth lines.

Release

"It's All I Can Do" was released as the follow-up to the "Let's Go" single on September 25, 1979, backed with "Got a Lot on My Head" in the U.S. and Canada, and with "Candy-O" in Britain. Although the song did not reach the Top 20 standard of its predecessor, it reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. A third and final single from Candy-O, "Double Life", failed to chart.

Reception

"It's All I Can Do" has generally received positive reception from critics. Prato said that "'It's All I Can Do' ... deserved to be a hit," while Champ said the track (as well as its predecessor, "Let's Go,") "give ample evidence of the band's range." William Ruhlmann, author of The All-Music Guide to Rock, said "'It's All I Can Do' hit as well ", and in the Billboard review of Candy-O, the song was chosen as one of the "best cuts". In a negative review, Tom Carson of Rolling Stone said, "'It's All I Can Do' calculatedly recycles the 'Just What I Needed' hook but to less-telling effect. It's simply cold." Billboard felt "It's All I Can Do" was less "dynamic and catchy" than "Just What I Needed" and "Let's Go," describing it as a "rocker with a simple melody line and spare instrumentation." Cash Box said it is "more subdued but equally intriguing" compared with "Let's Go" and said it has "infectious rhythms" and "sparse yet effective electronics." Classic Rock History critic Emily Fagan rated it as the Cars 5th best song sung by Orr, saying that the lyrics in the verses "speak to a relationship marked by disappointment and unfulfilled desire, while the chorus reinforces a sense of helplessness in the face of unresolved emotions." Ultimate Classic Rock critic Dave Swanson rated it as the 9th best Benjamin Orr Cars song, calling it "one of the Cars' most straightfoward love songs and praising the "linear keyboard, simple drums and shiny yet gritty guitars."

B-side

The B-side of "It's All I Can Do" is "Got a Lot on My Head", another track from Candy-O. In a review of Candy-O, AllMusic reviewer Greg Prato says the band "rocks out on 'Got a Lot on My Head' and 'Night Spots'".

Other appearances

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "It's All I Can Do"
Chart (1979) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 17
US Billboard Hot 100 41
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles 40

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "It's All I Can Do"
Chart (1979) Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 131

References

  1. "Elliot Easton's guide to the Cars' discography". 16 September 2019.
  2. Milano, Brett (1995). Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology (Media notes). The Cars. Rhino Records.
  3. ^ "Candy-O album reviews". Superseventies.com. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  4. "The Cars: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  5. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. October 6, 1979. p. 70. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  6. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 6, 1979. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  7. ^ Fagan, Emily (September 2024). "Top 10 Cars Songs Sung By Benjamin Orr". Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  8. Swanson, Dave (September 8, 2015). "Top 10 Benjamin Orr Cars Songs". UltimateClassicRock. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  9. Prato, Greg. "The Cars: Candy-O". Allmusic. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  10. "The Cars: It's All I Can Do". allmusic. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  11. "A Tribute to the Cars: Substitution Mass Confusion - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 2005-02-08. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  12. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6912a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  13. "The Cars Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  14. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending November 24, 1979". Cash Box. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  15. "1979 Top 200 Singles". RPM. Vol. 32, no. 13. December 22, 1979. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
The Cars
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Singles
Other songs
Concert tours
Related articles
The New Cars
Categories: