I Cain't Say No

I Cain't Say No is a song from the musical play Oklahoma! written by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II.

In the song, the secondary character Ado Annie Carnes describes her sexual awakening (albeit in highly euphemistic terms) and the conflicts that it brings. Ado Annie has two principal suitors, a Persian traveling salesman Ali Hakim, and the cowboy Will Parker, recently returned from an excursion to Kansas City. She describes to Laurey the attention she is now receiving from men "since she filled out" and her inability to say "no" to their advances.

Sample Lyrics

It ain't so much a question of not knowing what to do.

I knowed what's right and wrong since I was ten.
I heared a lot of stories and I reckon they are true
About how girls're put upon by men.
I know I mustn't fall into the pit,
But when I'm with a feller,
I fergit!

I'm just a girl who cain't say no,
I'm in a terrible fix
I always say "come on, let's go!"

Jist when I orta say nix...

When a fella tries to kiss a girl I know she auta give his face a smack! But as soon as some one kisses me I some how, sorta, wanta kiss him back. I'm just a fool when lights are low, I cante be prissy and quant. I ain't the type that cen faint. how can I be what I ain't? I can'e say ...no

What'cha gonna do when a fella gets flirty,

And starts to talk pretty, what'cha gonna do? Sposin' that he says that your lips are like cheeries, Er rosses er berries, What'cha gona do? Sposin' that he says that your sweeter than cream And he's gotta have cream or die? What'cha gonna do when he talks that way... Spit in his eye??!!
I'm just a girl who can't say no Can't seem to say it at all. I hate to dis-er-point a bowe when he is payin' a call. For a while I act refined and cool, A-sittin' on my velveteen sittee, Then I think of that old golden rule, And do for him what he would do fer me. I can't resist a romeo in a sombrero and chapps Soon as I sit on their laps, Somethin'inside of me snaps, I can't ....say...."No"!!

Cultural references

The song is sung by Polly in an episode of Fawlty Towers.

Amanda Palmer performed it with the Boston Pops in 2008. Not coincidentally, Palmer also recorded another Rodgers/Hammerstein song "What's The Use Of Wond'rin?" from Carousel for her album Who Killed Amanda Palmer.

House sings the lyrics "I'm just a girl who can't say no," in House M.D. episode 518.

See also

• All Er Nuthin', near the end of the musical where Will extracts a promise of fidelity from Annie, and vice versa.