Released in December 1991, I Can’t Dance is one of Genesis’ most recognizable songs from their album We Can’t Dance. The track blends blues rock with a minimalist groove, standing out from the band’s usual progressive and pop-rock sound.
The song was inspired by Levi’s jeans commercials, with its lyrics humorously mocking the fashion industry and male models. The band initially thought the track was too simple, but its riff-driven structure and Phil Collins’ sarcastic delivery made it a standout.
I Can’t Dance became a major hit, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. It also topped the charts in Belgium and the Netherlands and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance.
The music video, directed by Paul Flattery and Jim Yukich, features the band parodying fashion ads, with Collins exaggeratedly strutting across a desert landscape. The humorous visuals helped cement the song’s popularity.