Music Review: Bananarama “I Can’t Help It”
Album: Wow!
Year: 1987

Sarah Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward of Bananarama are smitten with a new boy in the glitzy “I Can’t Help It.”

Vivacious synthesizers open the single, creating a jubilant tone. Dallin (for sake of brevity) says that while candy has a luscious taste, her boyfriend kisses are far more savory and addictive. His lips are a perfect ruby red and no matter where he kisses her, his sugary scent lingers. Other guys have told her she’s gorgeous and want to make out with her (although the metaphor seems to nudge and wink at something more.) She’ll do anything for him since she’s fallen hard for him. “Sugar’s sweet but your kisses can’t be beat/Whatever you got, it’s good enough for me/Boys say (they say) I’m good enough to eat (mon cher)/Whatever you want you got ‘cos you knock me off my feet.”

In the first bridge, Dallin is craving his affection. She wants him close to her. She’s feeling hot and unsettled. “I’m hungry for your sweet love/I need you here tonight/I’m crazy, I’m burning up.”

In the chorus, she can’t control the heat inside her. She’s consumed by her lust for him. “I can’t help it/I’m captivated by your honey/I can’t help it/I’m captivated by your honey.”

Dallin says in the second verse that he’s had unfulfilling experiences with other girls. However, she will become the gold standard – the girl whose kisses he will never forget. She has no intentions of leaving him. She allows him to do what he wants in hopes for him to stay. “You’ve tasted honey, you’ve had the rest/Well here I am, come on and try the best/No chance (no chance) won’t let you get away (no way)/Whatever you need from me gonna let you get your way.”
She’s become impatient and asks him to be nearer to her. He satisfies her want for oral gratification. “I’m waiting, can’t get enough/So move your body close/I need you, I won’t give up.”

After the chorus, Dallin beckons him once again to enclose himself in her arms. “Move your body close tonight/Move your body close tonight/Move your body close tonight/Move your body close tonight.”
The glittering synthesizers have a brief solo before segueing into first bridge. “I’m hungering for your sweet love/I’m crazy, I’m burning up.”

The chorus three times to end the single.

The vampy “I Can’t Help It” hints at sex without resorting to vulgarity. It’s similar to the style of their earlier singles like “Trick of the Night” but without the heavy subject matter. However, Bananrama do not sacrifice their intelligence in the process It’s a successful transition that most groups or singers can’t accomplish. (i.e. Liz Phair singing hard-edged pointed music in the mid-90s and then releasing the flaky “Why Can’t I.”)