Was There Anything I Could Do?

"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.^[2]

"Was There Anything I Could Do?"
Single by The Go-Betweens
from the album 16 Lovers Lane
A-side	"Was There Anything I Can Do?"
B-side	"Rock and Roll Friend"
Released	3 October 1988 (1988-10-03)
Length	3:06
Label	Mushroom (AUS) Beggars Banquet (UK)
Songwriter(s)	Robert Forster, Grant McLennan[1]
Producer(s)	Mark Wallis
The Go-Betweens singles chronology
"Streets of Your Town" (1988) "Was There Anything I Could Do?" (1988) "Love Goes On" (1988)

"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.^[3]

Cover versions

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.^[4]

In 2010 a cover of the song by the Buzzards, was included on a Go-Betweens tribute album, Right Here.^[5]

Franz Ferdinand in November 2013 covered the song on Triple J's Like a Version programme.^[6]

In 2014 a cover of the song by Missy Higgins was included on her album, Oz.^[7][8]

Track listing

Original 7" Vinyl release

1. "Was There Anything I Could Do?" - 3:06
2. "Rock and Roll Friend" - 3:30

Original 12" Vinyl release

1. "Was There Anything I Can Do?" - 3:06
2. "Rock and Roll Friend" - 3:30
3. "Mexican Postcard" - 2:13

Original CD single release

1. "Was There Anything I Can Do?" - 3:06
2. "Rock and Roll Friend" - 3:30
3. "Mexican Postcard" - 2:13
4. "Bye Bye Pride" - 4:06

Release history

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]

Notes

A. ^ :The US release was a 12" promotional release with "Was There Anything I Could Do?" on each side.

Charts

Chart (1988–89)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[9]	159
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10]	16