I saw you downtown
Through the glow of my tail lights
You were stopped behind me
And your car caught my eye
I'm glad this light's slow
Gives me a chance to catch my breath
Right before I drive away to forget

Why do I give a damn after everything went south?
Why do I write songs, why can't my heart shut its mouth?

Why can't I move on and give a fair chance to someone new?
Why can't I fall out of love with you?

And I've tried pretty
I tried outgoing and fun
And I've tried intelligent
Trust me I tried dumb
I tried wealthy
I've been looked at as a way out
I've tried everything I know to try out

Why do I give a damn after everything went south?
Why do I write songs, why can't my heart shut its mouth?
Why can't I move on and give a fair chance to someone new?
Why can't I fall out of love with you?

Why do I give a damn after everything went south?
Why do I write songs, why can't my heart shut its damn mouth?
Why can't I move on and give a fair chance to someone new?
Why can't I fall out of love with you?
Why can't I fall out of love?

Overall Meaning

The song "Why" by Read Southall Band is a heartbreaking reflection on the struggle to move on from a past lover. The singer sees their ex-lover stopped behind them at a traffic light and can't help but wonder why they are still hung up on this person. They have tried everything to move on - being pretty, outgoing, intelligent, dumb, wealthy - but nothing seems to work. The singer can't help but ask themselves why they can't fall out of love with this person and move on to someone new.

The lyrics capture the universal feeling of being stuck in love, despite one's best efforts to move on. It's particularly poignant because the singer acknowledges the lengths they've gone to try to move on, but nothing seems to be working. They are frustrated with themselves for not being able to let go and move on.

In terms of delivery, the song has a melancholic feel to it, with Southall's voice conveying both the singer's frustration and their underlying vulnerability. The slow and downbeat melody reinforces the sense of despondency, and the repetition of the chorus ("Why do I give a damn...") adds to the feeling of being trapped.

Overall, "Why" is a relatable song about the struggle to move on from a relationship, a feeling that many people can identify with.

Line by Line Meaning

I saw you downtown
I noticed you in a busy area

Through the glow of my tail lights
I saw you from the back of my car

You were stopped behind me
You were following me when I stopped

And your car caught my eye
Your car stood out to me

I'm glad this light's slow
I'm happy that the traffic light is taking time

Gives me a chance to catch my breath
It's a relief to take my time and relax

Right before I drive away to forget
Before I leave and try to forget it all

Why do I give a damn after everything went south?
Why do I still care even after things ended badly?

Why do I write songs, why can't my heart shut its mouth?
Why do I write songs that express my feelings, even when I wish I could keep them locked up?

Why can't I move on and give a fair chance to someone new?
Why can't I get over you and give someone else a chance?