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.
She can do anything at all
Have anything she pleases
The power to change what she thinks is wrong
What could she want with me yeah
Wait just one minute here
I can see that she's trying to read me
Suddenly I know
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
But she can't change me
No, she can't change me
She has the daylight at her command
She gives the night its dreams, yeah
She can uncover your darkest fears
Make you forget you feel them
Wait just one minute more
I can see that she's trying to free me
Suddenly I know
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
But she can't change me
No, she can't change me
Suddenly I can see everything that's wrong
With me yeah
What can I do I'm the only thing I really have
At all
But wait just one minute here
I can see that she's trying to need me
Suddenly I know
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
But she can't change me
No, she can't
Change
Me
Have anything she pleases
The power to change what she thinks is wrong
What could she want with me yeah
Wait just one minute here
I can see that she's trying to read me
Suddenly I know
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
But she can't change me
No, she can't change me
She has the daylight at her command
She gives the night its dreams, yeah
She can uncover your darkest fears
Make you forget you feel them
Wait just one minute more
I can see that she's trying to free me
Suddenly I know
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
But she can't change me
No, she can't change me
Suddenly I can see everything that's wrong
With me yeah
What can I do I'm the only thing I really have
At all
But wait just one minute here
I can see that she's trying to need me
Suddenly I know
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
She's going to change the world
But she can't change me
No, she can't
Change
Me
Lyrics submitted by mattsaunders
Can't Change Me Lyrics as written by Chris Cornell
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I tend to think that it could have dual meanings here. The obvious, which is a girl that is trying to change a guy into being a better version of himself for the good of him, or her, as she sees the world and everyone in it, should be. However, the deeper meaning, I believe is the tug of war for a mans soul. The female mentioned is really God who wants to save Chris, but Chris is (as so many are) stubborn and wants to hold on to all of himself because it's all that he has and is...(which isnt the truth, God has more for him). She wants to READ him, FREE him, then NEED him...This is what God does READS (knows your heart), FREE (by being saved we are freed from the bonds of this world) and NEED ( well, God wants to hold you accountable and therefore that could feel like someone depending on/ needing you). But, Chris is determined to stay himself, not be moved, because if he sheds the worldly self he thinks he will get lost. But he doesnt understand that is when you really find yourself. In the music video, at the end Chris is walking on fire (because everything the girl, in the video, touches catches on fire (God is an all consuming fire, when you are reborn, you hopefully are on fire for the Lord). He walks in to a lake/pond with a Jesus Christ Pose and douses the fire, which could represent rebirth or putting out the fire intentionally. I think the answer is not clear (on purpose) in the video. I've read and heard a few old interviews and comments on Chris to imply that he did have a kind of dbl minded view of God or uncertain...he seemed to be such a good fair deep intelligent kind thoughtful man...a man that was struggling with the truth of his own beliefs adopted from the world he grew up in and the nature he was born with. Just my thoughts...not claiming to know for sure. :)
Interesting perspective.
@lori101547 I like your interpretation, maybe it can change my view on it as for me is more of a pill (Xanax) as I suffer anxiety, it can change the world but no matter what it can't change me, I will always be like this, even controlled as I've learned to do it, but still, I will always have it.
@lori101547 loved your interpretation! I do also think that there could be something related to using drugs and the power of addiction (or trying not to be consumed by the powerfull seduction of a drug, even when you're high and it "tries" to seduce you to go further).