Can't explain
Nothin' seems to be goin' right
Can't explain
Nothin' seems to be goin' right

Well now you wake up in the mornin'
Find your poor self dead
Well now you wake up in the mornin'
Find your poor self dead

What a shame
You always wanna start a fight
Can't explain
You always wanna start a fight

Well now you wake up in the mornin'
Find your poor self dead
Well now you wake up in the mornin'
Find your poor self dead

Let it go, what I say, yeah

Can't explain
You always wanna start a fight
Can't explain
You always wanna start a fight

Well now you wake up in the mornin'
Find your poor self dead
Well now you wake up in the mornin'
Find your poor self dead

Let it go, one more time, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song “Can’t Explain” by Black Tambourine is a simple yet powerful expression of frustration and despair. The lyrics suggest a feeling of being trapped in a situation where nothing seems to be going right, and the inability to understand how it got that way. The repetition of “Can’t explain” reinforces the frustration and confusion that the singer is experiencing, unable to find the words to express their emotions.

The second half of the song takes on a darker tone with the lines “Well now you wake up in the mornin' / Find your poor self dead”. These lines can be interpreted in a few different ways, but they seem to suggest a feeling of hopelessness and despair, perhaps even referencing suicidal thoughts. The final lines “Let it go, what I say, yeah / Let it go, one more time, yeah” seem to be a plea for release from the overwhelming emotions and a reminder to let go of whatever is causing the pain.

Overall, the song is a raw expression of the struggles of the human condition, particularly when it comes to mental health and emotional wellness.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't explain
Expressing the inability to provide reason or justification

Nothin' seems to be goin' right
Feeling that nothing is going well or according to plan

Well now you wake up in the mornin'
A moment of realization or self-awareness

Find your poor self dead
Feeling emotionally or mentally defeated

What a shame
Expressing disappointment or disapproval

You always wanna start a fight
Feeling that someone is constantly looking for a confrontation

Let it go, what I say, yeah
Suggesting the need to release negative feelings or thoughts

Let it go, one more time, yeah
Encouraging the idea of letting go and moving forward

Writer(s): JOHN ECHOLS, FLECKENSTEIN, JOHN, ARTHUR TAYLOR LEE

Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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