Music Review: Go-Go's "Yes Or No"
Go-Go's
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Yes Or No
Album: Talk Show
Year: 1985
Belinda Carlisle asks a guy to dance in the amiable "Yes Or No."
Reserved guitars open the single, setting an uneasy tone. In the first verse, she brings up the topic subtly. She mentions they aren't with anybody. Then the covers a base: letting him see that she has an easygoing personality. She flatters him, hoping it would loosen him up a bit. She says he's cute and he can dance. She adds they could have fun. She covers the next base: that the guy is going to think she’s going to ask him out. She tells him it'll be for a couple songs. There's no strings attached at the end of them. He's not obligated to date her. She says it's harmless and brainless.
In the chorus, she says she would like an answer. It's completely up to him what's he comfortable with. However, she needs a decision soon.
In the second verse, she feels like she overstepped a boundary. He hasn't responded yet, which makes her nervous. She says that he has other plans or a girlfriend to please tell her. She'll leave him alone. She doesn't want to be misled that a dance can happen. She tries one last time. She says the music is great and the other people are enjoying themselves. She's pleading with him to stop torturing her and please say something.
Album: Talk Show
Year: 1985
Belinda Carlisle asks a guy to dance in the amiable "Yes Or No."
Reserved guitars open the single, setting an uneasy tone. In the first verse, she brings up the topic subtly. She mentions they aren't with anybody. Then the covers a base: letting him see that she has an easygoing personality. She flatters him, hoping it would loosen him up a bit. She says he's cute and he can dance. She adds they could have fun. She covers the next base: that the guy is going to think she’s going to ask him out. She tells him it'll be for a couple songs. There's no strings attached at the end of them. He's not obligated to date her. She says it's harmless and brainless.
"You're alone and I am too/You're my idea of a pretty view/You can move or so it seems/I bet we'd make a decent team/I'mnot asking for all your time/A song or two would suit me fine/I'm not asking for you to say/That you'll be with me all the way/Shut your mind off for a while/Concentrate on the latest style/And everything's alright."
In the chorus, she says she would like an answer. It's completely up to him what's he comfortable with. However, she needs a decision soon.
“"Yes or no/I'll take it fast or slow/I'll make it easy for you to decide/Yes or no/You've got to let it go/Just take a stance/Either dance or tell me no."
In the second verse, she feels like she overstepped a boundary. He hasn't responded yet, which makes her nervous. She says that he has other plans or a girlfriend to please tell her. She'll leave him alone. She doesn't want to be misled that a dance can happen. She tries one last time. She says the music is great and the other people are enjoying themselves. She's pleading with him to stop torturing her and please say something.
"If you've got somewhere to be/If you've got someone besides me/Let me know don't put me on/If it's not right then I'll be gone/All those dancers can't be wrong/All those answers take too long/So tell me tell me now." /blockquote>
The chorus is sung once.
An edgy guitar solo follows.
Bits and pieces of the verses are cobbled together."All those dancers can't be wrong/All those answers take too long/Shut your mind off for a while/Concentrate on the latest style/ I'm not asking for all your time/A song or two would suit me fine/I'm not asking for you to say/That you'll be with me all the way/All those dancers can't be wrong/All those answers take too long/So tell me, tell me now."
The chorus is sung again.
Carlisle had been thinking of how to approach the guy all night. He seemed outgoing and rather popular. However, she's self-conscious and thinks he may take her question the wrong way. She decides to give him the upper hand. Unfortunately, he takes his time to answer. She shuffles around and says it's not a big deal. It’s just seemed like something fun to do.
Carlisle’s vocals are demure at first, as she musters the courage to go up to him. Once she gets the sentences out, she becomes dismayed as he sips his drink slowly and looks at the floor. Finally, she's blunt during her last reason why. But she never loses her cool. She remains cordial throughout.
The restless guitars anticipate a positive response and get more anxious as the song goes on.
The brilliant "Yes Or No" brings out the agony and doubt of what's considered an otherwise simple question.