Read Between the Lines
Carole King Lyrics


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I wrote you a letter the other day
And I told you I was happy for you
And your new love
Now there was much more
I wanted to say
But it's hard for me to get over
My last bit of pride
But if you read between the lines
You will know that I still love you
Oh, and I'll love you forever
And always

When we were together
I never thought
You would ever be anything else
But a friend and a true love
But time has thrown its net
And now I'm caught
And I'm helpless to tell you
How much I miss you by my side

But if you read between the lines
You will know that I still love you
Oh, and I'll love you forever
And always

Do you remember smiling at me
When I looked at you
And I first saw you
And I wanted you
And you wanted me
But it's over now and I just can't see
How I'm gonna live without you

But if you read between the lines
You will know that I still love you




Oh, and I'll love you forever
And always

Overall Meaning

The song "Read Between the Lines" by Carole King is a ballad that expresses the innermost feelings of someone who has lost a lover but still harbors feelings of love for them. The lyrics describe how the singer has written a letter to their former lover telling them that they are happy for them and their new love, but they still have more to say. Their pride stops them from openly admitting to still being in love and missing their significant other. However, if their former lover reads between the lines, they will know that the singer still loves them and will always love them.


Throughout the song, the singer reminisces about their past together, how they once never thought their lover would be anything more than a friend and true love, and how time has changed everything. They can’t help but express how much they miss their lover’s company and how helpless they feel without them. The song is a classic example of honest and vulnerable songwriting that reverberates with anyone who has ever lost love.


In conclusion, "Read Between the Lines" by Carole King is a powerful, vulnerable expression of love and heartbreak. The song captures how difficult it can be to express our deepest emotions, especially when we fear being rejected or hurt. It is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the fragile nature of love.


Line by Line Meaning

I wrote you a letter the other day
I expressed my feelings in a letter recently


And I told you I was happy for you
I said that I was glad for your happiness


And your new love
I acknowledged your new relationship


Now there was much more I wanted to say
I had more to express to you


But it's hard for me to get over my last bit of pride
My pride is getting in the way of expressing my true feelings


But if you read between the lines
If you analyze carefully what I wrote


You will know that I still love you
You'll realize that I still care for you


Oh, and I'll love you forever And always
My love for you will never fade


When we were together
During our past relationship


I never thought You would ever be anything else But a friend and a true love
I never saw you as anything other than a close friend and a genuine love interest


But time has thrown its net And now I'm caught
We've drifted apart due to time passing


And I'm helpless to tell you How much I miss you by my side
I have trouble expressing how much I long for your companionship


Do you remember smiling at me When I looked at you And I first saw you And I wanted you And you wanted me
I reflect on our initial attraction to each other


But it's over now and I just can't see How I'm gonna live without you
Our time together has ended and I struggle to imagine life without you




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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