How Can I
Charli XCX Lyrics


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Oh-oh

I tell good lies when they ask me
But I cried all night in the backseat
No one knows what I feel inside (I used to know what I wanted)
Tears fell down at the party
Like water all on my body
No one knows when I'm really alright

Pulled apart, my feelings so raw (yeah)
Voices shout so loud, can't ignore (every night, every night, yeah)
I used to think I knew what I wanted
I'm high enough from all the high pressure
I just wanna make myself better

On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, oh

I broke down in Paris (yeah)
Tried to hide my emotions (come home)
All flew out my body (yeah)
But then I cried hard in the hotel
Did that show in London
And I passed out at the party
This doesn't make me happy
How can I not know what I need right now?

Pulled apart my feelings so raw (yeah, yeah)
Voices shout so loud, can't ignore (every night, every night, yeah)
I used to think I knew what I wanted (I used to know what I wanted)
But I don't wanna feel the high pressure
I just wanna make myself better

On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, oh

Feel so high on the trampoline
Feel so high on the trampoline
Feel so high on the trampoline
Feel so high on the trampoline

Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh, Saturday, yeah, yeah
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh, Saturday, yeah, yeah





Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, oh

Overall Meaning

In this song, Charli XCX sings about being trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior, unable to escape or fix the mistakes she's made. She metaphorically describes her hands as "frozen into chains behind [her] back," an image of being imprisoned and unable to free herself. She pleads with whoever is holding the key to her shackles not to "swallow down the key" and to release her.


Charli is aware that her troubles are not simply a result of bad luck, as she sings, "Can't blame this one on bad luck." She seems to be talking about a relationship, perhaps a toxic one, that she can't seem to leave behind. She wants to fix what she's messed up but doesn't know how to go about it.


The middle verse shifts to a scene of chaos, with "shady eyes with the violent noise" and "meltdown underground." Charli references substances, like Southern Comfort, and a feeling of emptiness, describing the love as "void." Despite all of this, she still desires the person who caused her pain, saying "I miss your touch and my skin on yours."


Overall, the song is a raw and personal account of being stuck in a cycle of destructive behavior, wanting to escape it, yet still clinging onto the familiarity of the past.


Line by Line Meaning

My hands are frozen into chains behind my back
I feel trapped and unable to escape the consequences of my actions.


So please don't swallow down the key, let me out now
I am asking for forgiveness and the opportunity to make things right.


Yeah, I'm in trouble, can't stop what's coming
I know that I am going to face consequences for my mistakes.


Can't blame this one on bad luck
I know that I am responsible for what happened and I cannot make excuses.


It was boys and girls and girls and boys
I am reflecting on the past and the complex relationships involved.


The Southern Comfort from your comforter got destroyed
I associate this Southern Comfort with the destruction of my relationship.


It was shady eyes with the violent noise
I am describing a chaotic and negative environment.


We on the graveyard digging where the love is void
I feel like the love in the relationship has died and we are left with nothing but emptiness.


We had a meltdown underground
I am describing a situation where things got out of control and we hit rock bottom.


Just a cemetery chick, I'm sober now
I am in a better place now and I am no longer making the same mistakes.


But I still taste your bones when I'm all alone
I am haunted by the memories of the person I used to be with.


You're the best I ever had, but you've got to go
Even though I loved them, I know that it is for the best that we are no longer together.


And now I'm on my own
I am learning to rely on myself rather than being dependent on someone else.


I said, "Please don't go"
Even though I knew it was over, I still wanted them to stay.


I miss your touch and my skin on yours
I am still struggling to let go of the past and the physical aspect of the relationship.


I want a taste of what I adore
I am struggling to move on and am tempted to revisit the past.


How can I fix what I fucked up?
I am reflecting on my actions and taking responsibility for them.


How can I, how can I
I am struggling to find a solution to my problems.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charlotte Emma Aitchison, George Daniel, James III Harris, Terry Steven Lewis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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