I Can't Make You Love Me
Calli Malpas 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
Don't patronize
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 and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don'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
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 and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't
The lyrics to Calli Malpas's song "I Can't Make You Love Me" depict a situation where the singer is in love with someone who does not reciprocate those feelings. The first couplet of "Turn down the lights, turn down the bed" sets up a mood of intimacy, but it's quickly followed by "Turn down these voices inside my head," which implies inner turmoil. The singer wants to be held by the person they love, to be comforted in the moment, but they also don't want to be patronized or lied to. The chorus repeats the heartbreaking truth that the singer can't make their love interest love them back, and that there is a power dynamic at play where one person has control over the other's emotions. The second verse continues the theme of wanting to be loved and accepted, but also acknowledging that the relationship is not working out. The singer tries to make peace with the situation, hoping that morning will bring clarity and that they can move forward with their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn down the lights
Dim the room to set a mood for intimacy
Turn down the bed
Prepare the bed for lovemaking
Turn down these voices inside my head
Silence the doubts and fears that are clouding my thoughts
Lay down with me
Lie beside me so we can be close
Tell me no lies
Be honest with me and don't deceive me
Just hold me close, don't patronize
Embrace me genuinely, don't fake affection
Don't patronize
Don't treat me condescendingly or belittle me
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
I cannot force you to have feelings for me
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
You cannot induce emotions that are not there
Here in the dark, in these final hours
In this moment of intimacy, as time is running out
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
I will open up my heart and let my emotions flow freely
But you won't, no you won't
You will not reciprocate my love
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't
My attempts to win your heart will be in vain if you do not feel the same way
I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
I will shut my eyes to avoid seeing the absence of love in your eyes
The love you don't feel when you're holding me
The tenderness and affection that are lacking in your touch
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
I will face reality and accept that your love is not meant for me
Just give me till then to give up this fight
Allow me to hold onto hope a little longer before surrendering
And I will give up this fight
Eventually, I will accept defeat and move on
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.