| Was There Anything I Could Do? | |
| Cover: | Was_There_Anything_I_Could_Do.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | The Go-Betweens |
| Album: | 16 Lovers Lane |
| A-Side: | Was There Anything I Can Do? |
| B-Side: | Rock and Roll Friend |
| Label: | Mushroom (AUS) Beggars Banquet (UK) |
| Producer: | Mark Wallis |
| Prev Title: | Streets of Your Town |
| Prev Year: | 1988 |
| Next Title: | Love Goes On |
| Next Year: | 1988 |
"Was There Anything I Could Do?" is a song by Australian indie group The Go-Betweens that was issued as the second single from their 1988 album 16 Lovers Lane. The song was released 3 October 1988 by Beggars Banquet Records in the UK and Mushroom Records in Australia but failed to chart in either region. It was released as a promotional single in the US by Capitol Records and charted on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks charts in the United States, peaking at No. 16.[1]
"Was There Anything I Could Do?" was not necessarily the unanimous choice by all members of the band, with claims by some that they wanted Forster's "Clouds" whilst McLennan pushed for the song as it was more driving and anthemic.[2]
The song was covered by Maxïmo Park and included on a limited edition compilation album, released in July 2008 to celebrate the launch of Independents Day.[3]
In 2010 a cover of the song by The Buzzards, was included on a Go-Betweens tribute album, Right Here.[4]
Franz Ferdinand in November 2013 covered the song on Triple J's Like a Version programme.[5]
In 2014 a cover of the song by Missy Higgins was included on her album, Oz.[6] [7]
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | October 1988 | Beggars Banquet | 7" vinyl | BEG 219 |
| 12" vinyl | BEG 219T | |||
| CD single | BEG 219CD | |||
| Australia | December 1988 | Mushroom | 7" vinyl | K698 |
| 12" vinyl | X14667 | |||
| United States | 1988 | Capitol | 12" vinyl | SPRO-79427 |
A. :The US release was a 12" promotional release with "Was There Anything I Could Do?" on each side.