Heart – How Can I Refuse. This band, from Seattle, Washington, was a force from 1975 to 1995. They had a long string of hits over two distinct eras. They began as a hard rock-folk rock band. Mid-career they left the folk roots behind and embraced an arena rock-glamour rock sound and image. The 1983 album, Passionworks, was the beginning of the transition. The record didn’t set the world on fire, but it did spawn a Billboard  Hot 100 hit, How Can I Refuse, which peaked at number 44 and was a number one hit on the Billboard  Mainstream Rock chart. This song pops up on SiriusXM from time-to-time, otherwise it’s largely forgotten by anyone not a Heart fan.

There are six writers credited with the composition, which is a bit surprising considering there is nothing particularly original about the lyrics or even the song structure. How Can I Refuse is about the lust and infatuation of a new relationship with a relentless rock beat that propels the song forward. It screams 1980s.

Rhythm is the star of the song, and it sounds angry. The hybrid electronic-acoustic drums and bass provide the driving beat with the rhythm guitar riding on top. Other guitar parts come in and out. The bridge features syncopated drum fills, which make an otherwise unremarkable part of the song interesting. Meanwhile, the lead guitar is restrained until the end with the only solo coming as the song begins to fade. While the lyrics reveal a bit of vulnerability, Ann Wilson’s bellowing vocals exude confidence and a touch of fury. It’s a vintage performance. Don’t mess with her!

Heart is still active and in the mid-1990s stripped down their sound, employing more acoustic instruments and dropping the electronics — a return to their roots with a modern sensibility.

What are your thoughts? Like it? Hate it? Even remember it? Comment below. ↓

This is part of a series I’m doing on forgotten and obscure songs. Get caught up here.