Woman Setting the Clock, by Hugo Kauffmann, oil on panel, 1893. Collection unknown. [Wikimedia Commons.]
I Can’t Get Started
You wind me up like a clock
But I can’t get started
Switch me on and I give a kick
But then I don’t turn over
You point me in a direction
But I can’t get going
Offer me the secret code
But I don’t speak the language
Chorus:
No, I can’t get, oh I can’t get
No, I can’t get started
Oh, I can’t get, oh I can’t get
No, I can’t get started
You give me wings to fly
But still I’m earthbound
Tell me that someone’s up there
But I can’t see where she is
You may think I’m immovable
And that you’re irresistible
But remember, even in the middle
There is always room to move
[Repeat Chorus twice]
Read more from Kevin Densley HERE
Kevin Densley’s latest poetry collection, Isle Full of Noises is available HERE
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
If you would like to receive the Almanac Music and Poetry newsletter we will add you to the list. Please email us: [email protected]
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – click HERE.
About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His sixth book-length poetry collection, Isle Full of Noises, was published in early 2026 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Takes me back to ‘Chinatown’ (1974) KD.
Intriguing comparison, Peter. I know Chinatown as a classic 1970s piece of cinema, but in terms of its fine detail these days I am a bit foggy – please elaborate.
KD, a tune called ‘I Can’t Get Started’ featured in the Chinatown movie.
It was chosen to evoke a 1930s atmosphere (according to Dr Google).
Ah – I see thanks Peter. I wrote my lyric in around 1995 without any awareness of the much earlier song. Different songs can have the same title, of course. This said, the music I composed to the song I’ve posted today is pop/rock in nature and would be very different to the earlier song. However, some artists do intentionally play off the title or line of an earlier creation, for example the Oasis title ‘Wonderwall’ comes from the name of a late sixties George Harrison LP – and the first line of Harrison’s ‘Something’ comes directly from an earlier James Taylor song.
All this said, maybe I should call my lyric, simply, ‘Can’t Get Started’. (Who knows, though, maybe there’s a song called by that name, too.)
A pure coincidence in the titles of the two songs KD.
The title of your song just took me straight back to that 1970’s movie. It was a favourite of mine, with Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunnaway and John Huston starring.
Fair enough, Peter. All good!