Burning The Ground Exclusive
In 1987, American R&B vocalist Meli’sa Morgan returned with one of the sassiest and most confident singles of her career, “If You Can Do It: I Can Too!!” Taken from her second studio album, Good Love, the track showcased Morgan’s fiery personality and commanding vocal style, continuing her successful run on the R&B charts.
Following the massive success of her breakthrough hit “Do Me Baby,” Morgan quickly established herself as one of the premier female voices in contemporary R&B during the mid-to-late 1980s. “If You Can Do It: I Can Too!!” carried that momentum forward with a bold message of independence and equality wrapped inside a slick funk-driven production.
Produced and written by Paul Laurence Jones, the single blended hard-hitting drum programming, punchy synth bass, and layered backing vocals into an irresistible club-friendly groove. Morgan delivers the lyrics with attitude and confidence, responding to a nightlife-loving partner with a clear statement that she can play the same game just as well. The song’s assertive theme fit perfectly within the era’s growing wave of empowered female R&B anthems. The Los Angeles Times described the track as a “funky bill of rights” aimed at her wandering mate.
“If You Can Do It: I Can Too!!” became one of Morgan’s biggest hits. The single climbed to #2 on the US Billboard R&B chart in 1987, while also crossing over onto the Billboard Dance Chart, where it reached #27. Internationally, the song found success in the UK, peaking at #86 on the UK Singles Chart.
The parent album Good Love further solidified Morgan’s place in late 80s R&B. Released on, the album reached #11 on the US Billboard R&B Albums chart and also included the hit duet “Love Changes,” with Kashif.
Today, “If You Can Do It: I Can Too!!” remains a favorite among fans of classic 80s R&B and dance music. Its infectious groove, sharp production, and Morgan’s powerhouse vocal performance capture everything that made urban contemporary music during this period so exciting. More than three decades later, the song still sounds fresh, fearless, and unmistakably 1987.
SIDE A:
If You Can Do It: I Can Too!! (Extended) 4:50
If You Can Do It: I Can Too!! (Radio Edit) 3:54
SIDE B:
If You Can Do It: I Can Too!! (Club House Mix) 5:02
If You Can Do It: I Can Too!! (Dub Version) 4:25
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop | #2 | 1987 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play | #27 | 1987 |
| UK Singles Chart | #86 | 1987 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15345
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
CREDITS:
- Artwork [Logo], Design – Phillis Cuington
- Executive-Producer – Beau Huggins
- Producer – Paul Laurence
- Remix – Ron Banks (2), Zack Vaz
- Written-By – Paul Laurence Jones*
NOTES:
From the Melissa Morgan LP “Good Love”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
PLEASE READ
There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other
**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.
I appreciate your help.
I know I’m late to the party Paul, but this is a real banger! What a hidden gem this is. So representative of the electro-funk, synth-pop R&B sound I love from the late 80s! So many artists adopted this sound, from music veterans to the newcomers on the scene. Big thank you for this one Paul… this will be played LOUD.
How did I miss this one? Thank goodness we have you, Paul, to remind us of what some of us missed! I was familiar with her “Do Me Baby” but I really like this one so much more! Fantastic video too! Very, very HOT and SEXY!! Muscles, machines, sweat, and a sultry tempting female! I love it! Sorry I missed this yesterday! I really, really like this record, Paul! Many, many thanks!!
Jeff
Jeff, this comment totally made me smile. I had a feeling this one might sneak past a lot of people back in the day because “Do Me Baby” cast such a huge shadow over everything that followed. But wow, this record really delivers. Meli’sa had so much attitude and confidence on this track, and that production still hits hard today. That video is pure late-80s heat. They definitely knew exactly what they were doing with all the sweat, steel, muscles, and tension flying around in that clip. Very stylish and unapologetically sexy, which fit the song perfectly. I’m really glad… Read more »
Not an artist I am terribly familiar with, she has a great voice though. I like this one more than her cover of “Do Me Baby.” The mixes aren’t terribly distinct and kind of feel like an afterthought, but the song itself has a great later 80’s R&B sound. It’s not totally surprising this didn’t have more chart success considering the competition, but I feel it deserved more recognition than it received. At least it got a music video – and you can tell it had a decent budget with different sets, effects, and cast members – guessing the hope… Read more »
JP, I think you nailed this one perfectly. “Do Me Baby” tends to be the song everyone remembers first, but for me this track feels much more representative of where late-80s R&B was headed. It has that polished urban groove with just enough funk underneath to keep it moving, and Meli’sa sounds completely in control of the song. I also agree about the mixes. They’re enjoyable, but there’s not a dramatic difference between them, especially compared to some of the more adventurous remix work happening at the time. It does feel like the focus was really on pushing the song… Read more »
Thank you Paul. A great song. I just think it’s a shame that the Extended Version differs so little from the Club House Mix.Actually, just a slightly altered intro. They could have made more of it. Nevertheless, she has a few great songs, and my favorites are “Can You Give Me What I Want,” “Good Love,” and “Fool’s Paradise.”
Toxicaudio, I completely agree with you on the mixes. The “Extended Version” and “Club House Mix” are so close that casual listeners probably wouldn’t even notice much difference beyond the intro and a few arrangement tweaks. Considering how creative and adventurous 12-inch remix culture had become by 1987, they really could have pushed this one a lot further. For it to be titled “Club House Mix,” I was expecting a more upbeat “House Mix”. Still, the strength of the song itself carries it through. Meli’sa had such a rich, soulful voice that even a subtle variation worked because the performance… Read more »
Meli’sa Morgan – If You Can Do It: I Can Too!! (1987) A Funky “Bill of Rights” Lyrically, the song is a manifesto of empowerment and equality within a relationship. With an impeccable and sassy vocal performance, Morgan sings to a partner who goes out all night with his friends, expecting her to stay submissive at home. Meli’sa’s response is emphatic: if you can go out and have fun, I can do exactly the same. At the time, American critics (such as the Los Angeles Times) aptly described it as a “funky bill of rights” addressed to a free-spirited partner.… Read more »
Thank you for your take on the song. I appreciate your comment.
Hey Paul This Is One Of Those Songs That Grabs Your Ear And Becomes Catchy. I Mixed This Jamm With Janet Jackson’s What Have You Done For Me Lately. Thanks For The Jamm!!
Mark, I can totally hear that mix working perfectly. “What Have You Done For Me Lately” has that same sharp attitude and punchy rhythm track, so blending it with “If You Can Do It I Can Too!” makes a lot of sense. Sounds like one of those combinations that would light up a dance floor instantly.
This track really does sneak up on you too. The hook gets stuck in your head before you even realize it. Classic late-80s R&B groove.
Always appreciate hearing how DJs were mixing these records back in the day. Thanks, Mark!
Her song title is improperly using a colon. Anyway, thanks for the post, Paul!
I’m interested to hear this because I never followed her, but I saw her live! She was touring with Keith Sweat when he was promoting his debut and they came to what was then our local Music Hall attached to the main Civic Auditorium. They’ve been torn down, but I saw many acts in those venues including Prince, Kool & The Gang, INXS, Sting, Barry Manilow, Jesse Johnson, Morris Day and others. I don’t recall being into her set, perhaps too many slow songs. I only knew Do Me Baby, but that’s because it was a Prince cover. She went… Read more »
ING, what a fantastic concert memory. That lineup alone is such a perfect snapshot of late-80s R&B. Seeing Meli’sa Morgan and Keith Sweat together during that era must have been a great atmosphere, even if her set leaned a little slower than you expected. I can definitely see how audiences at the time may have associated her mostly with “Do Me Baby,” especially since the Prince connection gave that song such a huge spotlight. And wow, the list of artists you saw in those venues is incredible. Prince, INXS, Sting, Jesse Johnson, Morris Day, that’s a serious run of shows… Read more »