Can't Pretend
Tom Odell Lyrics
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Only you can mend
You can mend, oh, oh, oh
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh, oh, oh
Feel, my skin is rough
But it can be cleansed
It can be cleansed, oh, oh, oh
And my arms are tough
But they can be bent
They can be bent
And I wanna fight
But I can't contend
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh, oh, ooh-oh
oh oh oh
Whoa
Yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, feel our bodies grow
And our souls they play, yeah
Yeah love I hope you know
How much my heart depends, yeah
But I guess that's love I can't pretend
I guess that's love I can't pretend, oh, oh
But I guess that's love I can't pretend
I guess that's love I can't pretend, oh, oh
Oh, feel our bodies grow
And our souls they play, yeah
Yeah love I hope you know
How much my heart depends, yeah
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh, oh, oh
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh, oh, oh
In "Can't Pretend," Tom Odell sings about the complexities of love and the struggles that come with it. He starts off by acknowledging that he has wounds and scars that only his love can mend, meaning that he is vulnerable and needs someone to help him heal. However, he also acknowledges that he can't pretend when it comes to love, suggesting that he is being genuine and authentic about his feelings.
He then goes on to describe how his skin is rough and his arms are tough, but they can be cleansed and bent, indicating that he is willing to make changes and work on himself for the sake of love. He then says that he wants to fight, but he can't contend, suggesting that he may be facing challenges in the relationship that he is unable to overcome.
In the chorus, Odell repeats that he can't pretend when it comes to love, and that he has come to accept that this is the reality of his feelings. He finishes by saying that their bodies grow and their souls play, and that he hopes his love knows how much his heart depends on them.
Overall, "Can't Pretend" is a heartfelt and vulnerable reflection on the struggles of love and relationships. The lyrics suggest that Odell is willing to put in the work, but is also aware of his limitations and the challenges that come with loving someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, I have wounds
I have been hurt emotionally in the past
Only you can mend
I need you to help me heal
You can mend, oh, oh, oh
Your love is the only remedy for my pain
I guess that's love
This is what love feels like
I can't pretend
I can't fake my emotions
Feel, my skin is rough
I have scars on my body
But it can be cleansed
I am willing to let go of my past and start anew
And my arms are tough
I have been through a lot
But they can be bent
I can be vulnerable with you
And I wanna fight
I have a lot of emotional baggage
But I can't contend
I can't deal with it alone
Whoa, yeah, oh, oh, oh, oh
Expressing emotional turmoil
Oh, feel our bodies grow
Physical intimacy between lovers
And our souls they play, yeah
Our emotions are intertwined
Yeah, love I hope you know
I want you to understand how much I need you
How much my heart depends, yeah
My emotional well-being is in your hands
I guess that's love I can't pretend
I am acknowledging the strength of my emotions
I guess that's love I can't pretend, oh, oh
Repeating the realization that my feelings are real
I guess that's love I can't pretend
My feelings are genuine
I guess that's love I can't pretend, oh, oh
My emotions are too strong to act
Oh, feel our bodies grow
Physical intimacy between lovers
And our souls they play, yeah
Our emotions are intertwined
Yeah love I hope you know
I want you to understand how much I need you
I guess that's love
This is what love feels like
I can't pretend
I can't fake my emotions
I can't pretend, oh, oh, oh
Repeating the sentiment that acting is not an option
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tom Peter Odell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marina5023
Love, I have wounds
Only you can mend
You can mend oh oh oh
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh oh oh
Feel, my skin is rough
But it can be cleansed
It can be cleansed, oh oh oh
And my arms are tough
But they can be bent
They can be bent
And I wanna fight
But I can't contend
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh oh ooh-oh
oh oh oh
Woah!
Yeah!
Oh oh oh oh
Oh feel our bodies grow
And our souls they play, yeah
Yeah love I hope you know
How much my heart depends, yeah
But I guess that's love I can't pretend
I guess that's love I can't pretend, oh oh
But I guess that's love I can't pretend
I guess that's love I can't pretend, oh oh
Oh feel our bodies grow
And our souls they play, yeah
Yeah love I hope you know
How much my heart depends, yeah
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh oh oh
I guess that's love
I can't pretend
I can't pretend, oh oh oh
@carnagefrenzy5080
I would love to hear him get together with Hozier😃👏🏾👏🏾
@alym8977
YES YES YES
@golekanempolokeng2658
I would love to hear him with Jacob Banks
@anandarahmatullah9794
Absolutely it'll be great🔥
@cielthefangirl2876
Omg yesss please make this true! 😭😂
@XimenaHernandez-ug6xe
YEEEEESSSS
@victorcoyenn
I wonder why it's only uploaded now, I've been listening to this song for more than a year and for me it's among the best Tom's songs.
@404.C.
Victor Coyenn i thought the same.
@mos7622
Me too
@kathleenakin4892
Because it was featured on the new Batwoman series