I Can’t Make You Love Me/Nick of Time
Bon Iver Lyrics
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Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices
Inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close
Don't patronize me
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
You can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
I'll feel the power
But you don't
No, you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
And if you don't
No, you won't
I'll close my eyes
Then I won't see
The love you don't feel
When you're holding me
Morning will come
And I'll do what's right
Just give me till then
To give up this fight
And I will give up this fight
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
I can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
And I'll feel the power
But you don't
No, you don't
I can't make you love me if you don't
And if you don't
No, no, no, you won't
I found love darling
I found love darling
I found love darling, yeah
I found love darling, yeah
I found love darling, darling
Love in the nick of time
I found love darling, yeah
Love in the nick of time
The lyrics of Bon Iver's song "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time" evoke the heartbreak of unrequited love. The opening lines "Turn down the light, Turn down the bed, Turn down these voices Inside my head" create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. It feels as if the singer is seeking comfort from a lover, but the following lines suggest that this is not the case. The plea to "lay down with me, tell me no lies, just hold me close," is followed by the warning "Don't patronize me." These lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that their lover does not reciprocate their feelings, but they cannot help their desperation for affection.
The chorus "Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't. You can't make your heart feel something it won't," is a poignant reminder that love cannot be forced. The line "Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart, and I'll feel the power. But you don't, no, you don't," is heartbreaking. It suggests that the singer knows that they are about to experience emotional pain, yet they cannot help but hope that their lover's feelings will change. The final verse is a declaration of acceptance as the singer sings, "I found love darling, love in the nick of time," suggesting that they have found new love and have moved on.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn down the light
I want to set a less harsh and more romantic mood
Turn down the bed
I want to make it more comfortable for us to lay down together
Turn down these voices inside my head
I want to clear my head of any negative thoughts or doubts
Lay down with me
I want you to join me in bed
Tell me no lies
I want you to be honest with me
Just hold me close
I want to feel your love and affection
Don't patronize me
Don't act like you care if you really don't
'Cause I can't make you love me
I can't force you to love me
If you don't
If you don't have any feelings for me
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
You can't make yourself love me if you don't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
We are together in the darkest of moments
I will lay down my heart, I'll feel the power
I will put everything on the line and take a risk for love
But you don't, no, you don't
But you don't feel the same way
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
Once again, I can't force you to love me
And if you don't, no, you won't
And if you don't love me, you never will
I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
I'll avoid the pain of realizing your lack of love for me
The love you don't feel when you're holding me
You don't love me even when we're together
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
I'll accept the situation and move on with my life
Just give me till then to give up this fight
Allow me some time to come to terms with things
And I will give up this fight
I will let go of my desire for your love
I found love, darling
I have fallen in love
Love in the nick of time
I found love just in time before it was too late
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Unison Rights S.L., AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allen Shamblin, Michael Reid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thisissam5191
We often forget what happens at the end of this song: "I found love in the nick of time"
If you are here because you are sad and alone; If you are here because your heartbreak is fresh or so old but still raw; if you are here because you need a good cry please remember this: while you can't make people love you, you can still find love in the nick of time:)
yes, you feel sad right now but "it might be over soon"
so hold on!
I promise you if you do that, you will find your person or your people.
You have so much awesomeness ahead of you:)
you have no idea of the amazing people that will enter your life and probably take you by surprise
It's ok to feel sad but let the end of this song give you some hope because you WILL find love:)
Actually, you already have:) take a look around in this wonderful comments section! These people took the time to write these messages to inspire hope and vulnerability. Know that you are loved by them and you are loved by me
I love you
so have a wonderful night...or day...or life lol
@rahulpulidindi
Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices
They're inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close
And don't patronize me
Don't patronize me
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
You can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these final hours
I will lay down my heart
If I feel the power, but you don't
No, you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
If you dont
No, you won't
I'll close my eyes,
Then I won't see
The love you don't feel
When you're holding me.
Morning will come,
And I'll do what's right
Just give me till then
To give up this fight.
And I will give up this fight.
'Cause I can't make you love me
If you don't
I can't make your heart feel
Something it won't
Here in the dark
In these…
@butterfly_8241
HMMMMMMMMM
I found love darling
I found love darling
I found love darling
There baby down
I found love darling yeah
Found love darling darling
Love in the nick of time
I found love darling yeah
Love in the nick of time
@AngelsRot
My boy Bon Iver got the comments section lookin like a group therapy session. Got motherfuckers testifying and crying and shit.
@kyliodatter
Amen.
@dayday8194
lmbo
@Artsaveslives
LOL
@joshuasanchez1150
LMAO! Confessions are being made! 😂😂😂
@aspensky5
Omggggggg
@wessonballs
Ten years ago I came to this video absolutely devastated because the girl I was head over heels in love with couldn't decide if she wanted me or not. I went through four years of her wanting me and then changing her mind and I always came back here. Now I am listening to this ten years later (I've definitely listened to this on a monthly basis for the last ten years) and looking back, I wish I could tell that young version of me to let it go, to walk away, to move forward. Now ten years later I am in love with someone that loves me just as I am in the healthiest way that I have ever experienced and the love that I have found is powerful, beautiful, unwavering. This performance of this song, for the rest of my life, will remind me of what I have faced in love and what I truly deserve. Absolutely beautiful.
@elysemorris6559
Thank you for sharing <3
@jt44444
It's ok to love people from afar... as sad it is when all ya' want to do is hug them ever so close. Covid has been especially hard on me as I am sure it's been for most people. Going through it with no family, few friends, the lonesome reality is the hardest burden. But I threw myself into my work and after 30 years of trying finally have a house in escrow... going to see this one through. I might die of a heart attack tomorrow, or the next moment, or the following year... We simply owe it to ourselves to live good. I won't tell you ya' wasted your time... you did what you did for years, because you cared for someone who didn't know herself enough to know what she wanted. More power to you for your struggle, but especially the wisdom gained by it. Much love Alex and have the very best life you can.
@hwhite2996
Thank you, I needed to hear this tonight!! Your perspective is noted. Much love ❤️