A Smooth Slice of 70s Soul: Boz Scaggs’ “What Can I Say”
Boz Scaggs’ silky smooth vocals and the infectious groove of “What Can I Say” etched a permanent mark on the landscape of 70s soul and pop. Released in 1977 as a single from his highly successful album “Down Two Then Left,” the song quickly climbed the charts, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying Scaggs’ status as a prominent figure in popular music. This wasn’t just another hit; it was a carefully crafted piece of musical artistry that continues to resonate with listeners decades later.
The song’s genesis can be traced back to a collaboration between Scaggs and David Paich, a name that would later become synonymous with the band Toto. This partnership proved to be a stroke of genius, blending Scaggs’ soulful delivery with Paich’s knack for creating catchy, sophisticated melodies. The result is a song that is both instantly accessible and remarkably nuanced.
“What Can I Say” is, at its core, a song about longing and regret. It speaks to the universal experience of realizing the value of something only after it’s gone. The lyrics paint a picture of a man reflecting on a lost love, grappling with the realization that he may have taken things for granted. Lines like “3 a.m. is me again / You knew when to stay / Come on tell me that you’re lonely / I’ve been feeling down some too” evoke a sense of late-night contemplation and the quiet desperation of someone who knows they’ve made a mistake.
The beauty of the song lies not only in its lyrics but also in its musical arrangement. The smooth, almost hypnotic groove, driven by a tight rhythm section and punctuated by subtle yet effective instrumentation, creates an atmosphere of both melancholy and irresistible allure. The song’s production, typical of the era, is lush and polished, allowing Scaggs’ vocals to take center stage. His voice, with its distinctive blend of warmth and vulnerability, perfectly captures the emotional core of the song.
For those who lived through the 70s, “What Can I Say” is more than just a song; it’s a time capsule. It evokes memories of a specific era in music, a time when soul, pop, and R&B blended seamlessly to create a sound that was both sophisticated and deeply emotional. It transports listeners back to a time of bell bottoms, disco balls, and a certain kind of laid-back cool that seems to have faded with the passage of time.
But even for younger generations, the song’s themes of love, loss, and regret remain timeless. These are emotions that transcend generations, and “What Can I Say” expresses them with a sincerity and musicality that continues to captivate listeners. It’s a testament to the power of a well-crafted song, a reminder that great music can endure and resonate across decades. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its quality, a reminder of a time when music was crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a genuine desire to connect with the listener on an emotional level. It’s a song that invites you to reflect, to reminisce, and to appreciate the enduring power of music to touch the soul. It’s a song that continues to ask, “What can I say,” when words simply aren’t enough to express the depth of feeling. The album “Down Two Then Left” itself was also a commercial success, further cementing Scaggs’ place in music history.