Music Review: Jennifer Love Hewitt "Can I Go Now"

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Can I Go Now

Album: BareNaked

Year: 2003

               Jennifer Love Hewitt won’t compromise with her boyfriend anymore in the              jaded “Can I Go Now.”

                 A ticked guitar opens the single, setting a weary tone. She offered a suggestion: he can pick where they eat tonight and she’ll choose the movie. He said it’s not fair, that they are always doing what she wants to do. Then, he starts in on her, stating he doesn’t like her talking with one of her ex-boyfriends. She tells him there is nothing on there and they are just friends. However, nothing seems to convince him. It’s always her fault. She can’t take it anymore. She plans on what telling him when she breaks up with him. (“What's the point of trying to meet you in the middle/You got your point of view/There's nothing I can do/Can't change your mind/Can't leave it all behind/You're living in the past/We talk and talk/Discuss for hours/About how it should be/Why is it all me/Don't wanna fight/Don't wanna waste my time/Baby just can't relax/I'm moving on, moving on.”)

              In the chorus, she asks him if his lecture over. He’ll get to pick everything from now on. Their relationship isn’t equal.  (“Can I go now/Say what you have to say/Happy you've got your way/There's nothing to discuss/Can I go now/Giving your point of view/Say what you want it too/So what's the point of love/Can I go now/Oh say what you have to say/Happy you've got your way/What is to discuss.”)

                She has given up trying. He’ll condemn her for her actions either way. She can’t win with him and she’s had enough. (“What's the point of trying to reach compromise/When you're the only judge and jury/What's the story/I can't make you see that I'm not always wrong/I can't make you right/It's time to move on/I'm moving on.”)

               The  chorus is sung again.

               In the bridge, she moves out of their apartment. He doesn’t really want to be with her. She’s ok with it. She’d rather not be miserable anymore. (“Let's call it a day, I’ll pack my bags, be on my  way/Sure don't need to stay/Well I'm not welcome anyway/Well that's alright and that's OK yeah/There's nothing left to do/Maybe I'm not for you/So why don't you let it go/Tell me what's the point of all this/Talk, talk, talk, talk/We could go day and night/Still wouldn't make it right.”)

            An extended chorus ends the single. (“Can I go now…I'll be on my way/Let's call it a day/Can I go now?/Now, why don't you let it go/Can I go now?”)

                Hewitt lets her usual pretty vocals get scratchy and rough. It’s good to see her break out of her perky persona even if it’s for three minutes. The half-rapping in the bridge, though, needs to be stopped. It doesn’t fit and it’s embarassing to hear.

               The feisty  “Can I Go Now” shows she is more than just Sarah, her character on Party of Five.