The band formed in 1986 as an underground punk rock act. Their popularity grew during the following decade with the 1992 album It's A Shame About Ray, which was produced, engineered, and mixed by The Robb Brothers (Bruce Robb, Dee, and Joe), followed by a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson", which eventually became one of the band's most successful singles.
Throughout its various incarnations, recording and touring lineups of the band have included co-founders Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz, John Strohm (Blake Babies), Doug Trachten, Corey Loog Brennan, Byron Hoag, Ben Daughtry, Juliana Hatfield (Blake Babies), Nic Dalton (Godstar, Sneeze, The Plunderers), Dave Ryan, Patrick "Murph" Murphy (Dinosaur Jr), Bill Gibson (Eastern Dark), Mark 'Budola' Newman, Kenny Lyon, Vess Ruhtenberg, Devon Ashley, Karl Alvarez and Bill Stevenson (Descendents), P. David Hazel and various others.
Cited as one of the most important alternative rock groups, The Lemonheads were active until 1997 and went on hiatus, but reformed with a new lineup in 2005 and released The Lemonheads in the following year. The band released its latest album, Varshons, in June 2009.
I Just Can't Take It Anymore
The Lemonheads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess it's been useless after all
I'm tired of seein' all the days goin' by
Tearin' the numbers off my wall
You've been taking up my time and steppin' out-a line
And breakin' up the dreams I had before
And I just can't make it anymore
No, I just won't take it anymore
You said once before you were lookin' for a friend
Who'd take the time to really get to know you
But you wanted me to kneel and forgot that I was real
And I guess I'm not per chance that far below you
You've been shakin' up my bed and breaking up my head
So I'm wakin' up an turning in my score
And I just can't make it anymore
No, I just won't take it anymore
And I just can't make it anymore
No, I just won't take it anymore
The Lemonheads' song "I Just Can't Take It Anymore" is a poignant reflection on a relationship that has gone sour. Evan Dando, the band's lead singer and songwriter, sings about the frustration and pain he feels as he realizes that his love for his partner is no longer enough to sustain the relationship. He looks back on the time they spent together and realizes that it was all for naught, as he is constantly tearing the numbers off his wall and trying to move on from the relationship.
Dando highlights the betrayal he feels as his partner steps out of line and interferes with his dreams. He is tired of putting up with her behavior and recognizes that he can no longer take it anymore. He refuses to be treated badly and refuses to be walked all over, so he decides to leave the relationship. The line "You wanted me to kneel and forgot that I was real" is particularly powerful, as it speaks to the sense of loss of identity that comes with being in a relationship where you are not valued as an equal.
Ultimately, the song is a reminder that sometimes, no matter how much we may love someone, we have to put ourselves first and end a relationship that is abusive or no longer serving us. It is a sad but empowering message that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinkin' back on it, babe
I've been reflecting on our times together, dear
I guess it's been useless after all
I suppose our relationship has been pointless from the beginning
I'm tired of seein' all the days goin' by
I'm exhausted from watching the days pass us by
Tearin' the numbers off my wall
Removing calendar pages from my wall as they serve no purpose
You've been taking up my time and steppin' out-a line
You've been occupying my time and acting inappropriately
And breakin' up the dreams I had before
And destroying the aspirations I once held
And I just can't make it anymore
And I simply cannot continue in this relationship
No, I just won't take it anymore
No, I refuse to tolerate it any longer
You said once before you were lookin' for a friend
You once stated that you desired a companion
Who'd take the time to really get to know you
Who would invest effort in learning about you
But you wanted me to kneel and forgot that I was real
However, you expected me to concede and disregarded my existence
And I guess I'm not per chance that far below you
And apparently, I'm not just slightly inferior to you
You've been shakin' up my bed and breaking up my head
You've been disrupting my sleep and causing me mental distress
So I'm wakin' up an turning in my score
Thus, I'm ending the relationship and moving on
And I just can't make it anymore
And I simply cannot continue in this relationship
No, I just won't take it anymore
No, I refuse to tolerate it any longer
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRAM PARSONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind