Written by Daryl Hall, John Oates and Sara Allen, the song was released as the second single from their tenth studio album, Private Eyes (1981).

[3] Daryl Hall sketched out the basic song one evening at a music studio in New York City, in 1981, after a recording session for the Private Eyes album.

Hall started the Rock 1 setting on Roland CompuRhythm then began playing a bass line on a Korg organ, and sound engineer Neil Kernon recorded the result.

[5][6] Record World said that it "demonstrates the duo's versatility as pop craftsmen" and noted that there are many hooks.

[10] Thanks to heavy airplay on urban contemporary radio stations, "I Can't Go for That" also topped the US R&B chart, a rare feat for a white act.

"[citation needed] The song has been sampled numerous times including in "Say No Go" by De La Soul,[31] "Sunrise" by Simply Red,[32] "The Final Hour" and "Take Me to Your Leader" by MF Doom (under the King Geedorah moniker),[33] and "On Hold" by The xx.