Men at Work’s “Who Can It Be Now?”

“Who Can It Be Now?” is a hit song by Australian rock band Men at Work, released in 1981 as the lead single from their debut album Business as Usual. Written by lead singer Colin Hay, the song became an international success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and helping the band break through to global recognition.

Musically, “Who Can It Be Now?” is built around a catchy, saxophone-driven hook, which gives the song its distinctive, quirky sound. The sax riff, played by band member Greg Ham, opens the track and recurs throughout, creating an instantly recognizable melody. The song features a tight rhythm section with a blend of rock, pop, and reggae influences that reflect the band’s unique style.

Lyrically, the song is about paranoia and isolation, with the narrator expressing anxiety about an unknown visitor knocking at the door. The lyrics capture a sense of fear and retreat from the outside world, as seen in lines like “Who can it be knocking at my door? / Go away, don’t come ’round here no more.” While the song’s light-hearted, almost humorous tone contrasts with its underlying themes of anxiety, it resonates with listeners who relate to the feeling of wanting to shut out the world.

Colin Hay has explained that the song reflects a period in his life when he was feeling particularly isolated and overwhelmed by life changes. However, the upbeat music and catchy melody helped balance the darker themes, making it an accessible pop song with deeper emotional undertones.

The song’s success helped establish Men at Work as one of the leading bands of the early 1980s. Along with other hits like “Down Under” and “Be Good Johnny,” “Who Can It Be Now?” defined the band’s quirky, upbeat sound. The song’s blend of new wave, rock, and reggae elements gave it a unique edge in the early 80s music scene, and its infectious sax riff became one of the most memorable in pop music.

“Who Can It Be Now?” remains a signature song for Men at Work, often associated with the band’s distinctive sound and style. Its mix of catchy melody, offbeat lyrics, and tight production has made it a lasting favorite, and it continues to be a nostalgic reminder of the early 1980s music era.