Can't Let You Go
Adam Lambert Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh yeah

Guess it was not meant to be
But it's not as bad as it seems
It only burns when I breathe, yeah

You saw the way that I fell
But I'm better off by myself
That's the tale I like to tell, yeah

But it's not that easy for me to say goodbye
And everything in me wants you back in my life

Can't let you go
Can't let you go, oh

It feels like the dawn of the dead
Like bombs goin' off in my head
Never a moment of rest, yeah

Nothing kills more than to know
That this is the end of the road
And I know I gotta let go, oh

But it's not that easy for me to say goodbye
And everything in me wants you back in my life

Can't let you go
Can't let you go
Can't let you go
Can't let you go, oh

Wish I could just find a way
To have all your memories erased
'Cause constantly they're haunting me

But it's not that easy for me to say goodbye!
And everything in me wants you back in my life!

Can't let you go
Can't let you go
Can't let you go
Can't let you go, oh





I can't let you go, oh
I can't let you go, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “Can't Let You Go” by Adam Lambert portray a person dealing with the aftermath of a painful breakup. The first verse suggests that the separation wasn’t his choice, but he’s okay with it anyway. However, the second line of the verse reveals that it hurts regardless. The second verse shows the internal battle the singer is facing, admitting that it’s hard to let go and move on. The pre-chorus and chorus make it clear that he’s struggling to forget about his past love and fighting to keep the person in his life. The final section of the song is a plea to erase the memories that are tormenting him but ultimately admits that he can’t let go of the person.


On a deeper level, the song is about the pain and difficulty of letting go of a past relationship. Despite trying to convince himself that being on his own is for the best, he can't help but wish for his ex to come back. He’s constantly thinking of them and can’t let go of the memories, even if it’s what’s necessary to move on.


Overall, Can’t Let You Go is a somber song that explores the complexity of emotions after a breakup, including feelings of desire, pain, and loss.


Line by Line Meaning

Guess it was not meant to be
The relationship between the singer and the subject was doomed from the start.


But it's not as bad as it seems
Despite the end of their relationship, the singer takes comfort in knowing that things could be worse.


It only burns when I breathe, yeah
The emotional pain caused by the end of the relationship feels like a physical sensation.


You saw the way that I fell
The subject of the song witnessed the artist's emotional vulnerability during the relationship.


But I'm better off by myself
Despite feeling emotional pain, the artist believes that they are better off alone than in the relationship.


That's the tale I like to tell, yeah
The singer tells themselves a story that they are happy without the subject, but this is not necessarily the reality.


But it's not that easy for me to say goodbye
The singer struggles with the decision to end the relationship.


And everything in me wants you back in my life
Despite knowing that ending the relationship was the right decision, the artist still has strong feelings for the subject.


Can't let you go
The artist is still holding onto the relationship and the feelings associated with it.


It feels like the dawn of the dead
The pain of the end of the relationship is overwhelming and all-consuming.


Like bombs goin' off in my head
The singer is experiencing intense emotional turmoil caused by the end of the relationship.


Never a moment of rest, yeah
The emotional pain is constant and the artist cannot find any relief.


Nothing kills more than to know
The knowledge that the relationship is truly over is the most painful part of the breakup for the singer.


That this is the end of the road
The singer has come to the realization that the relationship is over and there is no turning back.


And I know I gotta let go, oh
The singer understands that they need to move on from the relationship, but it is difficult to do so.


Wish I could just find a way
The artist wishes they could erase the memories associated with the relationship.


To have all your memories erased
The artist wants to forget about the subject and everything associated with the relationship.


'Cause constantly they're haunting me
The memories associated with the relationship are a constant source of emotional pain for the singer.


I can't let you go
The singer still has strong feelings for the subject and cannot move on from the relationship.




Contributed by Evelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@ananse77

This song should have been a MEGA hit. It's an absolute crime that most people have never heard of it. Who puts emotion into a song like Adam Lambert? Almost no one.

@98nnns47

ananse77 people treat him different because he is gay :( I think, time will help his career.

@julianacarvalho7992

but more he is beautiful anyway

@sylwiamazurek8317

I think it's crime too. I heard it somdey by accident and i fell in love whit thie beautiful piece of music. A masterpiece.

@dogteeth5191

I don't think it is healthy to be listening to so many of Adam Lambert's songs in just one night.... I HEAR HIM WHEN I SLEEP....

@racheltaylorbeauty9016

I dream about Adam to

@racheltaylorbeauty9016

+Fluffy Wuffy YAS

@rosetyler2857

I have a whole play list filled with his songs. I put it on in the morning and listen to it on repeat all day long.

@melissagrimes9546

same!!!! I listen to his songs everyday!!!! I can't get enough of him.

@ericabarter2484

Jeff the Killer I feel you😂 I’ve been listening to Adam since 4pm and it’s 7:15!❤️❤️❤️

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