Brian Kennedy (born Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy on 12 October 1966) is an … Read Full Bio ↴Brian Kennedy (born Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy on 12 October 1966) is an Irish singer-songwriter and author from Belfast. A protege of Van Morrison, Kennedy has a gentle voice that he puts it to good use in his many ballads. He represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. As a singer with perfect pitch, he has been described as having ‘the voice which charms angels’.

His first album was 'The Great War of Words' followed by 'A Better Man' in 1996 which gained quadruple platinum sales in Ireland. This led to awards for 'Best Irish Male Album' and 'Best Irish Male Artist’. With the release of the album, 'Now That I Know What I Want' he found himself with 3 albums simultaneously in the top 30 of the Irish album charts.

In his varied career he has toured frequently, recorded with Ronan Keating, has acted and has performed in Riverdance and on Broadway. Brian has recently made a number of popular BBC TV programmes in which he sings traditional Irish songs. He has released albums based on the series and also a single ‘You Raise Me Up’. This famous song he originally recorded for Secret Garden and indeed he is also the vocalist on their CD ‘Earth Songs’ where he sings Always There. Secret Garden are Norwegian Rolf Lovland writer of two Eurovision winners (La Det Swinge for Bobbysocks in 1985 and Nocturne for Secret Garden in 1995) and also his Irish partner in the group is Fionnuala Sweeney.

If You Love Me
Brian Kennedy Lyrics

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There's a place in my mind where
I know, where I go
When it all becomes too much
The words keep returning and
Burning me down

If you love me…(say so)
If you trust me (let go)

Is the answer safe in my heart?
Were you thinking (of me)?
When I was feeling (lonely)
Is the answer still safe in my heart?

Where's the time to be brave
When the world's come apart
While the road ahead's still clear
I can't seem to find what I'm
Wanting to hear

If you love me…(say so)
If you trust me (let go)
Is the answer safe in my heart?
Were you thinking (of me)?
When I was feeling (lonely)
Is the answer still safe in my heart?

I need a million questions answered
While everybody else is dancing
How many times
Have I wasted chances…

If you love me…(say so)
If you trust me (let go)
Is the answer safe in my heart?
Were you thinking (of me)?

When I was feeling (lonely)
Is the answer still safe in my heart?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brian Kennedy's song "If You Love Me" convey themes of vulnerability, doubt, and the need for assurance in a relationship. The first stanza sets the tone, as the singer describes a mental space where he retreats when overwhelmed by his emotions. He alludes to the pain caused by the words that keep coming back to him, suggesting that he may bear some trauma or unresolved issues. He then poses a series of questions to his partner, asking for confirmation of their love and trust. He wonders if his partner was thinking of him in his moments of loneliness and if the answer is still safe in their heart. This implies that there may have been some doubt or mistrust in the past, and the singer seeks reassurance that the relationship is secure.

The second stanza continues the theme of uncertainty, as the singer laments the challenges of staying brave when the world around him is falling apart. He feels lost, unable to find the answers he is searching for. He contrasts his own predicament with the carefree attitude of others who are dancing without apparent worries. He then repeats the chorus, emphasizing the urgency of his need for answers, and the importance of the reassurance he seeks from his partner.

Overall, the lyrics of "If You Love Me" reveal the emotional depth of the singer, who struggles with unresolved issues from his past and seeks validation and security in his relationship. The song captures the universal experience of doubt and the need for reassurance in love.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a place in my mind where
I have a mental space where I retreat whenever life becomes overwhelming

I know, where I go
I am aware of this mental space and I seek it out when I need to

When it all becomes too much
When life becomes too stressful to handle

The words keep returning and
I keep mulling over certain words and phrases in my head

Burning me down
These words are causing me great emotional distress

If you love me…(say so)
I need you to tell me if you love me

If you trust me (let go)
If you have faith in me, you need to let go of your doubts

Is the answer safe in my heart?
I need to know if my feelings for you are reciprocated

Were you thinking (of me)?
I want to know if you were thinking about me

When I was feeling (lonely)
During the times when I was lonely

Is the answer still safe in my heart?
I need to know if my love for you is still protected and valued