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 first verse of Bon Iver's song "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time" sets the tone for the heartbreaking story being told. The singer is desperately trying to quiet the voices in their head - likely doubts and fears that their partner does not love them back. They plead with their partner to be honest with them and to simply hold them close without any false assurances. The chorus lays out the painful truth: it is impossible to make someone love you if they do not feel the same way. The singer acknowledges that they will lay down their heart and feel the power of their love, but that it will ultimately be in vain.
The second verse continues to describe the singer's inner turmoil. They close their eyes and try to ignore the lack of love that they feel from their partner, knowing that morning will come and they will have to face reality. Despite this, they are still willing to fight for their love - at least until they know it really is hopeless. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer finding love but acknowledging that it came too late. It is as if the two halves of the song are telling a full story of heartbreak and eventual acceptance.
Overall, "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time" is a powerful exploration of the feelings of rejection and despair that often accompany unrequited love. Through its impactful lyrics and haunting melody, it draws listeners into a deeply emotional space.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn down the light
Dim the brightness of the lights
Turn down the bed
Set the bed for sleep mode
Turn down these voices
Inside my head
Mute the voices in my mind
Lay down with me
Join me on the bed
Tell me no lies
Speak the truth
Just hold me close
Hug me tightly
Don't patronize me
Don't patronize me
Don't treat me like a child
'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 cannot force you to love me, if you don't feel it, nothing can create the feeling for you; Even though we're all alone now and I am feeling powerful emotions in my heart, I know that you don't feel the same; And even if I keep trying, you still won't love me if you don't want to
I'll close my eyes
Then I won't see
The love you don't feel
When you're holding me
If I close my eyes, I cannot witness the absence of love you feel while embracing 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
Soon morning will arrive and I will do what's appropriate; But until then, let me surrender to the situation; And then I accept the reality and abandon the struggle
'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 cannot force you to love me, if you don't feel it, nothing can create the feeling for you; Even though we're all alone now and I am feeling powerful emotions in my heart, I know that you don't feel the same; And even if I keep trying, you still won't love me if you don't want to
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
I eventually discovered love and just at the proper moment I finally found it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION
Written by: James Allen Shamblin, Michael Barry 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 ❤️