Before I Let You Go
Colbie Caillat Lyrics
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You keep on looking back and watching me
The way you come closer
Closer to the one that's good for you
Because you're still going back to that life
And I refuse to stand on the side
By sparing her from heartache
Don't you know you end up hurting me
I see your head spin right around
She makes you fall and hit the ground
When you ever going to let her go
See the way that she breaks you so
All I'm asking is for you please
To take control and be set free
Make some space so we can grow
Say you left
Before I let you go
Oh whoa oh whoa
So you say this will get better
Better for you, her or me?
Well I don't know what to tell ya
It's not my fault that I don't believe
'Cause you're still so stuck in that life
And I refuse to stay on this ride
'Cause I'm going round in circles
Aren't you tired of never having peace
I see your head spin right around
As she makes you fall and meet the ground
When you ever going to let her go
See the way that she breaks you so
All I'm asking is for you please
Take control and be set free
Make some space so we can grow
Say you left
Before I let you go
I have been waiting
For you to change this
But it has taken too long
So I can't keep waiting
I've got to change this
It's time for me to be so strong
I see your head spin right around
She make you fall and hit the ground
When you ever going to let her go
I see the way that she breaks you so
All I'm asking is for you please
To take controls and be set free
Make some space so we can grow
Say you left
Before I let you go
I see your head spin right around
She make you fall and hit the ground
When you ever going to let her go
I see the way that she breaks you so
All I'm asking is for you please
To take controls and be set free
Make some space so we can grow
Say you left
Before I let you go
(Baby, baby I)
Before I before I
Before I before I
Let you go (No, no)
I don't wanna let you go
The lyrics to Colbie Caillat's "Before I Let You Go" tell a story of a woman who is tired of watching the man she loves continue to be hurt by another woman. The song's narrator sees him looking back at her, but he remains stuck in a toxic relationship that he can't seem to let go of. She refuses to be a bystander and watch him continue to be hurt while also hurting her. The song's title refers to the ultimatum she gives him - "Say you left before I let you go" - indicating that she has the power to let him go but would rather he make the decision to leave on his own.
The lyrics do not shy away from depicting the frustration and pain of being repeatedly hurt by the same person, even if it's unintentional. The phrase "I see your head spin right around, as she makes you fall and meet the ground" is a powerful metaphor for the cyclical nature of the man's relationship. The song's narrator recognizes that he's in a never-ending cycle of hurt and wants him to break free from it, but also understands that it's ultimately his decision to leave. The song's chorus is a plea for the man to end things with the other woman and make room for a healthier relationship to grow.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy, I see you looking over
I notice you staring at me
You keep on looking back and watching me
You can't take your eyes off me
The way you come closer
You move in my direction
Closer to the one that's good for you
You're getting nearer to a better match for you
Because you're still going back to that life
You keep going back to your problematic past
And I refuse to stand on the side
I won't just watch from the sidelines
By sparing her from heartache
I'm trying to prevent her from getting hurt
Don't you know you end up hurting me
You're causing me pain too
So you say this will get better
Do you really think this will improve?
Better for you, her or me?
Who will benefit from this supposed improvement?
Well I don't know what to tell ya
I'm not sure what to say about that
It's not my fault that I don't believe
I can't force myself to believe in something I don't see as true
Cause you're still so stuck in that life
You're still mired in your troublesome past
And I refuse to stay on this ride
I won't continue going through this with you
Cause I'm going round in circles
I feel like we're going nowhere
Aren't you tired of never having peace
Don't you want some stability in your life?
I have been waiting
I've been waiting for a change
For you to change this
For you to make a positive change
But it has taken too long
But it's been too long and nothing has changed
So I can't keep waiting
I can't wait any longer
I've got to change this
I need to take action and change this
It's time for me to be so strong
I need to be strong and make tough decisions
Before I before I
I need to do it before
Let you go (No, no)
I don't want to let you go
I don't wanna let you go
I don't want to lose you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COLBIE CAILLAT, RICK NOWLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind