He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
Hearts break too fast when they're sentimental
Won't stay won't last when it's love at first sight
So why are my convictions blinded by your spotlight
Can't breathe can't sleep with some medication
I'll kiss goodbye to my reservations
I know there's other fish out in the sea
Not for me
I want you
If I can't have you then I don't want anyone (I don't want anyone)
If I can't have you then all the damage has been done baby
You can break these rules if you wanna have some fun (if you wanna have some fun)
Think of all the love that you will lose if I can't have you
Heartbeat cold sweat thoughts slipping under
Can't fight no threat 'cause there's just no use
One look, no hesitation
I'm slipping into you
Forgive these eyes these lips you're tasting
No time to waste on an invitation
My shame my self control has suffered enough
Everybody wants to be loved
If I can't have you then I don't want anyone (I don't want anyone)
If I can't have you then all the damage has been done baby
You can break these rules if you wanna have some fun (if you wanna have some fun)
Think of all the love that you will lose if I can't have you
I haven't seen the best that love has had to offer
They say perfection's always right around the corner
Could be true
But if I can't have you
If I can't have you then I don't want anyone (I don't want anyone)
If I can't have you then all the damage has been done baby
You can break these rules if you wanna have some fun (if you wanna have some fun)
Think of all the love that you will lose if I can't have you
Won't stay won't last when it's love at first sight
So why are my convictions blinded by your spotlight
Can't breathe can't sleep with some medication
I'll kiss goodbye to my reservations
I know there's other fish out in the sea
Not for me
I want you
If I can't have you then I don't want anyone (I don't want anyone)
If I can't have you then all the damage has been done baby
You can break these rules if you wanna have some fun (if you wanna have some fun)
Think of all the love that you will lose if I can't have you
Heartbeat cold sweat thoughts slipping under
Can't fight no threat 'cause there's just no use
One look, no hesitation
I'm slipping into you
Forgive these eyes these lips you're tasting
No time to waste on an invitation
My shame my self control has suffered enough
Everybody wants to be loved
If I can't have you then I don't want anyone (I don't want anyone)
If I can't have you then all the damage has been done baby
You can break these rules if you wanna have some fun (if you wanna have some fun)
Think of all the love that you will lose if I can't have you
I haven't seen the best that love has had to offer
They say perfection's always right around the corner
Could be true
But if I can't have you
If I can't have you then I don't want anyone (I don't want anyone)
If I can't have you then all the damage has been done baby
You can break these rules if you wanna have some fun (if you wanna have some fun)
Think of all the love that you will lose if I can't have you
Lyrics submitted by dontwasteyoursong
If I Can't Have You Lyrics as written by Ryan B Tedder Kelly Brianne Clarkson
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Corpse I Fell In Love With
Gadjits, The
Gadjits, The
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
This song about a girl pursuing a man she's attracted to was written by Clarkson together with OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder. The OneRepublic vocalist also contributed backing vocals to this track. Clarkson described this to PopEater as, "very like Eurythmics meets the Killers - very different for me. It's a lot sexier."