If you're standing with your suitcase
But you can't step on the train
Everything's the way that you left it
I still haven't slept yet

And if you're covering your face now
But you just can't hide the pain
Still setting two plates on the counter but eating without you

If the truth is you're a liar
Then just say that you're okay
I'm sleeping on your side of the bed
Goin' out of my head now

And if you're out there tryna move on
But something pulls you back again
I'm sitting here tryna persuade you like you're in the same room

And I wish you could give me the cold shoulder
And I wish you could still give me a hard time
And I wish I could still wish it was over
But even if wishing is a waste of time
Even if I never cross your mind

I'll leave the door on the latch
If you ever come back, if you ever come back
There'll be a light in the hall and the key under the mat
If you ever come back
There'll be a smile on my face and the kettle on
And it will be just like you were never gone
There'll be a light in the hall and the key under the mat
If you ever come back, if you ever come back now
Oh if you ever come back, if you ever come back

Now they say I'm wasting my time
'Cause you're never comin' home
But they used to say the world was flat
But how wrong was that now?

And by leavin' my door open
I'm riskin' everything I own
There's nothing I can lose in a break-in that you haven't taken

And I wish you could give me the cold shoulder
And I wish you can still give me a hard time
And I wish I could still wish it was over
But even if wishing is a waste of time
Even if I never cross your mind

I'll leave the door on the latch
If you ever come back, if you ever come back
There'll be a light in the hall and the key under the mat
If you ever come back
There'll be a smile on my face and the kettle on
And it will be just like you were never gone
There'll be a light in the hall and the key under the mat
If you ever come back, if you ever come back now
Oh, if you ever come back, if you ever come back

If it's the fighting you remember or the little things you miss
I know you're out there somewhere so just remember this
If it's the fighting you remember or the little things you miss
Oh just remember this, oh just remember this

I'll leave the door on the latch
If you ever come back, if you ever come back
There'll be a light in the hall and the key under the mat
If you ever come back
There'll be a smile on my face and the kettle on
And it will be just like you were never gone
There'll be a light in the hall and the key under the mat
If you ever come back, if you ever come back now
Oh, if you ever come back, if you ever come back

And it will be just like you were never gone
And it will be just like you were never gone
And it will be just like you were never gone
If you ever come back, if you ever come back now


Lyrics submitted by Sypher

If You Ever Come Back Lyrics as written by Stephen Kipner Andrew Frampton

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

If You Ever Come Back song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +9
    My Interpretation

    It's about a break up and wanting to be back together with that person, even if it still means being trapped in that hell that is the ending of a relationship - he's willing to put up with her giving him the cold shoulder, a hard time, and actually being able to wish the relationship was over. He's willing to suffer through it if it means he is with her again.

    Despite how she has treated him and how the relationship crumbled, he still leaves his door open to her if she does ever decide to come back. He will keep everything the same for her and they can pretend that nothing's happened and go back to normal.

    He's so desperate for her to just come home and return to him and the relationship. People are telling him that she isn't going to come back but is in somewhat of a denial, refusing to believe a word of it, saying that 'they used to say the world was flat but how wrong was that now', hoping his friends are wrong too.

    It's a track about ending something with someone really special to you and still wanting to be with them - doing anything in your power to get them back.

    For me this is another favourite - and in many ways seems like the sequel to 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved'.

    maddiegreenon September 23, 2010   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    This song is my life for the past two and a half months. For someone to write these lyrics...there's a story there. If you haven't lived through this type of pain, you could never describe it so eloquently.

    taterbug1723on April 03, 2011   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    I personally think its about a more serious relationship then a girl and boy. I think it's about a parent losing their child, their child has left home due to a broken relationship with their parent. The parent is pleeding for the child to return.

    luvmusic100on March 28, 2011   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    That, actually, is NOT the meaning of this song... the script did an interview with video hits saying the true meaning of this song. it was actually written about a child who is having problems at home and decides to run away.. it is written from the parents point of view... watch the music video, u will see that i am rigghttt!!!

    Yourwrong123

    yourwrong123on June 20, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think that this song is about someone leaving. be it a break up or them dying or a kid that leaves home or even being left emotionally. and you are hoping this person will come back and when they do, it will be like they never left, because u want them to come back to you so badly.

    Goldenkarmaon September 21, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Maddiegreen, well said. Couldn't have explained it better.

    Serenadieron November 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    can't.stop.listening.to.this.song

    cochise215on December 01, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think its "and by leaving my door open im RISKING everything i own" but i could be wrong

    ginganingaon February 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song has accurately described my feeling 2 years ago, which lasted for almost a year. I found that this song and "Dead man walking" are my favorites from this album, because they perfectly described my situation and feelings

    ievoion April 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    And I wish you could give me the cold shoulder And I wish you can still give me a hard time And I wish I could still wish it was over But even if wishing is a waste of time Even if I never cross your mind

    These lyrics just strike me as ironic. You would rather go back to the way it was when you were unhappy than to live currently with what you did in attempt to be happy, especially the line "I wish I could still wish it was over"

    Devilsbaneon July 01, 2013   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
Light Up The Sky
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.
Album art
Cajun Girl
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”
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.