Why Can't I Touch It?

great bass line.

this song is just so great!! i replay it over and over again...well the way i see it, it can also be talking about a love that really isnt there...they think its there. they believe its the real thing. the other person may not be aware of this love, the way i see it...in the end the person realizes that its just their imagination and they wonder why they cant have love but i may be wrong

seriously, not trying to be a pervert but this song has to be about trying to get laid. it kinda reminds me of add it up by the violent femmes, just wanting someone so bad but you cant get it.

It's addressing the idea of externalism, and how one's reality is effected by the senses. How something can feel so real and understood, but not all of your senses necessarily line up on this. Also it's never stated that he can actually taste, see, smell, hear, or feel it. It's just that it feels, or seems that way to him. With this in mind he is never able to actually grasp it because he's not even sure if it's real.

one of my favorite songs of all time!

it seems to me this song is about something that, by all logic, is right there in front of you, but for some reason, doesn't seem to exist.

I always thought this was about an acid trip where things could be seen, tasted, felt, but not touched because they are, after all, hallucinations.

this song reminds me of my ex-boyfriend's brother and their friends. they were obsessed with the movie "the party animal" and that's where i heard it. funny!!! great tune though!

Always thought it was about success... like being so close to realizing your dreams and having the 'ideal' life, but not really being happy.

Think I agree with Stoned Immaculate, seems likely to me that its about the journey experienced after dropping some acid. I cant help but have a stoopid grin on my face whenever I hear this song. Love the Buzzcocks!