I Can Do It — a bright declaration of confidence wrapped in harmony, rhythm, and the spirit of a hopeful decade
When “I Can Do It” by The Rubettes burst onto the airwaves in 1975, it carried with it a sense of optimism that felt unmistakably of its time — but also timeless in its emotional core. This was not a song about rebellion or heartbreak. It was something rarer and gentler: a cheerful assertion of self-belief, sung with warmth, harmony, and a smile that could be heard even through the radio speaker.
Released as a single in the spring of 1975 and later included on the album Rubettes, “I Can Do It” quickly found its audience. In the UK, the song climbed into the Top 10, peaking at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart, confirming that The Rubettes were far more than a one-hit nostalgia act following the massive success of “Sugar Baby Love.” This chart position mattered: it showed that listeners were still willing to follow the group as they evolved, as long as the heart and melody remained intact.
The song was written by Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington, the same songwriting partnership that had crafted much of The Rubettes’ signature sound. Their writing always balanced simplicity with emotional clarity, and “I Can Do It” is a perfect example of that craft. On the surface, the lyrics are straightforward — almost conversational — but beneath that lies a quietly powerful message: confidence is not arrogance; it is survival.
Musically, “I Can Do It” leans into buoyant rhythms, layered harmonies, and a pop structure that feels light without being flimsy. The handclaps, the rising chorus, and the group’s trademark vocal blend create an atmosphere that feels communal, as if the song is meant to be shared rather than performed at the listener. It echoes the sound of early-to-mid-1970s British pop, when harmony groups still believed in melody as a form of emotional connection, not just commercial necessity.
What makes the song especially resonant is its emotional honesty. The narrator does not claim effortless strength. Instead, there is a sense of reassurance — almost self-persuasion — in the repeated declaration “I can do it.” This is the voice of someone standing at a crossroads, choosing courage over doubt. For many listeners at the time, the song felt like encouragement during a decade marked by economic uncertainty, shifting social roles, and quiet personal anxieties. It didn’t shout solutions; it offered comfort.
The Rubettes themselves embodied this feeling. Often remembered for their nostalgic image — caps, harmonies, and echoes of doo-wop — they were, in reality, a group navigating the changing music landscape of the 1970s. “I Can Do It” reflects that journey. It sounds like a band reminding themselves, as much as their audience, that persistence matters. That belief can be sung into existence.
For those who hear the song years later, its charm lies not just in its melody, but in what it represents. It recalls a time when pop music could be gentle without being naive, optimistic without being hollow. There is something deeply comforting about that refrain repeating, steady and sincere — like an old friend placing a hand on your shoulder and saying, keep going.
Unlike songs that burn brightly and vanish, “I Can Do It” lingers in memory because it speaks to an enduring truth: every stage of life requires reassurance. The challenges change, the world shifts, but the need to believe in oneself remains constant. In that sense, The Rubettes gave listeners something lasting — a song that smiles at you across decades and quietly reminds you that strength does not always roar. Sometimes, it simply sings.