When I see myself I'm seeing you too
As long as I remember and I'm feeling like I knew
That my jokes aren't funny the truth isn't true
If there was no you

If you were my boat in the deep blue sea
I'd probably sink you down
I know I should have thanked you for carrying me
But for you, I would happily drown

All along your way, the darkest night, the longest day
I know what to say to make you laugh
And nothing you could do
Could make me turn my back on you
When you're looking for a fight, I'm your man
When you need a friend, you got my hand

What I really mean, what I'm trying hard to say
Is that I'm counting on you and you got me too
Our secrets aren't safe, I'm singing out of tune
If there was no you, if there was no you

All along your way, the darkest night, the longest day
I know what to say to make you laugh
And nothing you could do
Could make me turn my back on you
When you're looking for a fight, I'm your man
When you need a friend, you got my hand
When you need a friend, you got my hand
You got my hand


Lyrics submitted by dreafiggy

If There Was No You Lyrics as written by Phillip John Hanseroth Brandi M. Carlile

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

If There Was No You song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

4 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    I thought this was a love song too but I saw something where she said this was actually a song written after a break up but she wanted to be a good sport and not take blows at the person or something but she still got a small one in there (if you were my boat in the deep blue sea, i'd probably sink you down) I still like to think of it as a love song though because it's way cute.

    nikole115on March 31, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    aww (: if you notice, the last cd was so much sad than this one, most of the song talk about love, friendship and loyalty.

    The other one, which i love, its about how lonely can we feel we are.

    josephiuson November 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is such a sweet song, even if it was written about a breakup. Brandi's amazing.

    zebraplopon July 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    In my opinion this song is about a couple that break up on good terms. The idea is that one or both people still care for and maybe love one another, but for whatever reason, the relationship just could not work in the end.

    To me there is also the implication that the relationship went on for a long time, but this is conjecture based on the apparent familiarity of the narrator with the one who is receiving the message.

    A really bittersweet song and one of my favorites.

    Theshizirlon March 27, 2019   Link

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

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/