Can You Tell
Ra Ra Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long am I supposed to wait
I think about you nightly
Oh can you tell I'm losing sleep
What am I supposed to do
It's hard to stay cool
When you smile at me
And I get nervous every time you speak
My bed's too big for just me
When you turn your eyes
I promise I won't care
Standing by your sister fair
Oh baby baby baby please
My heart sinks to my feet
What am I supposed to do
I think about you nightly
My bed's too big for just me
When you turn your eyes
I promise I won't care
Standing by your sister fair
Standing by your sister fair
Standing by your sister fair
When I look into your eyes
I tend to lose my thoughts
Don't forget your stare
Oh what was that you said
Would you let me know
'Cause I can't read your mind
Oh can you tell
I can't even explain
Oh baby I can't even explain
What am I supposed to do
It's hard to stay cool
When you smile at me
And I get nervous every time you speak
Oh, standing by your sister fair
The lyrics to Ra Ra Riot's song Can You Tell are about an unnamed protagonist who is having trouble expressing their feelings to someone they are clearly interested in. The first line of the song "Have I been too discreet" suggests that the singer is worried that they have been too subtle in expressing their affection. They wonder how long they are supposed to wait before making a move. The singer admits that they think about this person constantly, losing sleep over them.
The second verse is where the singer really starts to struggle. They don't know what to do, as it's hard to stay cool around the person they like. Every time the person smiles or speaks to them, they get nervous. They admit that their bed feels too big without this person in it.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "My bed's too big for just me, when you turn your eyes I promise I won't care, standing by your sister fair" and these lyrics show how much the singer is hoping that the person they like will show some interest in them. They even pledge to not care about anything else if they show reciprocation.
The bridge of the song expresses the anxiety that the singer is feeling. They can't read the person's mind and they wish they could. They desperately want to know if their feelings are being returned. The final chorus repeats the same lyrics, ending the song on a question of whether the singer will ever take the risk and express their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I been too discreet
I wonder if I've been too subtle in showing my feelings towards you
How long am I supposed to wait
I am unsure about when I should confess my feelings to you
I think about you nightly
You're always on my mind, especially when I go to bed at night
Oh can you tell I'm losing sleep
My love for you is keeping me up at night, can you sense it too?
What am I supposed to do
I am lost and don't know how to navigate my feelings for you
It's hard to stay cool
You make me nervous and I struggle to keep my composure
When you smile at me
Your smile has the power to make my heart race
And I get nervous every time you speak
Your words have an impact on me, I become anxious in your presence
My bed's too big for just me
I feel lonely without you by my side
When you turn your eyes
When you look at me, my heart skips a beat
I promise I won't care
Even if you reject me, I will still love you
Standing by your sister fair
I am willing to stand by your sister because I want to be closer to you
Oh baby baby baby please
I am pleading with you to notice my love for you
My heart sinks to my feet
My heart is heavy when I think about the possibility of not being with you
When I look into your eyes
When I gaze into your eyes, I feel lost and entranced
I tend to lose my thoughts
Your beauty makes it difficult for me to think straight
Don't forget your stare
Please don't stop looking at me, I need your attention
Oh what was that you said
I am hanging on every word you say to me
Would you let me know
Please tell me how you feel about me
'Cause I can't read your mind
I don't know what you're thinking, please communicate with me
Oh can you tell
Can you sense my love for you?
I can't even explain
I can't put into words how much I love you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Alexandra Nicole Lawn, John Ryan Pike, Mathieu Jordan Santos, Milo A Bonacci, Rebecca Alexandra Zeller, Wes Miles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BabyTrunks66
Have I been too discreet
How long am I supposed to wait
I think about you nightly
Oh can you tell I'm losing sleep
What am I supposed to do
It's hard to stay cool
When you smile at me
And I get nervous every time you speak
Has it really been seven years? Wow, where did the time go?
@SweetJohnnyCage
I first heard this band on MTV-U in my college's cafeteria. It was the song "Boy" and I was just kinda blown away by the usage of strings in non-folk rock song. Got absolutely hooked on them. Such memories.
@sliverfreak9
I remember first hearing this song in 2008 on MTV2 on Subterranean! I miss that show so much! 😢
@nwttp
First time I heard these guys was around 2008, a friend took me to a show and these guys opened. Instant fan. Bought their cd. Way better than the headliner.
I suggest to you a man by the name of Andrew bird if you like strings used in unique ways. Look up "Andrew Bird - Anonanimal." 😉
@theredjake
Omg it's been 12 years... The journey that unfolded with this band tho 🤍
@nofurtherwest3474
I think this is there best song, what do you think?
@CinnamonTrees
This song is rather dangerous.... Every time I play it, it gets stuck in my head for at least a week. Not that I really mind. :)
@wadebanks3710
This was our house at the time. It took all night, until sunrise to shoot. Great memory.
@TheNYJets15
I’m here in 2024! This album is phenomenal!!! Helped me in a very dark time of my life…
@CosmicAnteater
It's SOOOOO good.
@ashleymel2
Listening to this song at night gives me tranquility and eases my feelings from pain and it all goes away, why feel pain when you could just walk away and say" I' am the 💣, I don't need this 💯💯😭 and move on, for every person it is a different meaning