Description
In theory, it’s a cover of the Beatles’ 1964 song, but with its cascading overdubs and interwoven lyrics from other Beatles songs, Nilsson creates what I’ll call the first mash-up. It’s a pastiche of at least 14 different songs (some say 22), from “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “Day Tripper,” “Paperback Writer” to “Strawberry Fields Forever.”10 It’s a fascinating track, blending phrases of melody and lyrics, and it’s all over in just 140 seconds. But there’s something fanboyish about “You Can’t Do That.” It’s a cry for attention, which, of course, it got.
