I Still Can
Chet Atkins Lyrics
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I think that's why this song means so much to me
When I was young
My dad would say
"C'mon son, let's go out and play"
Sometimes it seems like yesterday
When I was all by myself
Grab his hat and fix the brim
Pretending I was him
No matter, how hard I try
No matter, how many tears I cry
No matter, how many years go by
I still can't say goodbye
He always took care
Of Mom and me
We all cut down a Christmas tree
He always had some time for me
Wind blows through the trees
Street lights, they still shine bright
Most things are the same
But I miss my dad tonight
I walked by a Salvation Army store
Saw a hat like my daddy wore
Tried it on when I walked in
Still trying to be like him
No matter, how hard I try
No matter, how many years go by
No matter, how many tears I cry
I still can't say goodbye
Chet Atkins's "I Still Can't Say Goodbye" is a poignant song that talks about the inability of the singer to let go of his father. The lyrics are beautifully written and describe the feelings of the singer in a way that is both relatable and heartfelt. The singer starts by saying that every time he looks in the mirror, he sees his father. This line establishes the connection and the bond that the singer shared with his dad. It also explains why the song means so much to him.
The song then goes on to describe memories from the singer's childhood. His father would take him out to play and make time for him, even if he was busy with work. The singer would try on his dad's hat and pretend to be him, showing admiration and respect for his father. The chorus repeats the line "no matter how hard I try, no matter how many tears I cry, no matter how many years go by, I still can't say goodbye", emphasizing the pain and longing the singer feels for his father.
The second verse starts with the wind blowing through the trees and how most things are the same, but the singer misses his dad tonight. This line shows that time has passed, but the singer's feelings have not changed. The imagery of the streets and the wind blowing creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. The singer then talks about finding a hat like his father's at a Salvation Army store and trying it on, still trying to be like him. This line shows that the singer still wants to emulate his father and keep his memory alive.
Overall, "I Still Can't Say Goodbye" is a touching tribute to a father from a son who still can't let go. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and the melody adds to the emotional intensity of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, every time I look in the mirror I see my Dad
The singer relates to his father so much that he sees his reflection in him every time he looks at himself.
When I was young
The singer is talking about his younger self.
My dad would say
The singer is thinking about his father's words.
"C'mon son, let's go out and play"
The singer remembers his father asking him to spend time together.
Sometimes it seems like yesterday
The singer feels like it was just recently when his father was here with him.
And I'd climb up the closet shelf
The singer remembers playing dress-up with his father's hat.
When I was all by myself
The singer often played alone.
Grab his hat and fix the brim
The singer would adjust the hat to resemble his father's style.
Pretending I was him
The singer would imagine himself to be his father.
No matter, how hard I try
The singer has attempted many times to say goodbye to his father.
No matter, how many tears I cry
The singer has cried many tears at the thought of his father.
No matter, how many years go by
The singer has not been able to forget his father over time.
He always took care
The father was always there to care for his family.
Of Mom and me
The father provided for his wife and child.
We all cut down a Christmas tree
The family would do activities together, like cutting down a tree at Christmas.
He always had some time for me
The singer remembers his father always making time for him.
Wind blows through the trees
The setting of the song is described.
Street lights, they still shine bright
The lights in the streets are still the same, but something has changed for the singer.
Most things are the same
The singer observes how life is largely unchanged for him.
But I miss my dad tonight
The singer is feeling especially sad about the absence of his father right now.
I walked by a Salvation Army store
The singer is recalling a specific moment from his recent past.
Saw a hat like my daddy wore
The singer noticed a hat that reminded him of his father.
Tried it on when I walked in
The singer tried on the hat to see how he looked in it.
Still trying to be like him
The singer still wants to be like his father in some way.
No matter, how hard I try
The singer is acknowledging that he continues to struggle with saying goodbye to his father.
No matter, how many years go by
The singer's emotions have not lessened with the passage of time.
No matter, how many tears I cry
The singer still finds himself crying over his father's absence.
I still can't say goodbye
The singer is unable to let go of his attachment to his father.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOORE, ROBERT BLINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lynn Mitchell
This was my dad's favorite musician. So the fact that he sang this song for his dad and it sooo closely matched my own experience made it all the more special. When I was 7 my dad came home from Vietnam. At 5 pm I would come home from wherever I was in the neighborhood playing. When my dad came home from the navy base in FLA. he would put his kaki hat with the black brim on my head. He wasn't perfect but he was the most just, honest, upright, dependable, responsible person I ever knew. He was my hero , my rock. I will miss him forever. I had this song played at his funeral. It was sooo appropriate. Not a dry eye in the place.
Mel Strait
There are only a few guitar players that project that "I'm a good player" image in just a couple of notes. I was fortunate to have seen Chet in concert several times. There was never any doubt about his ability on the guitar. The man raised the bar and left his unique mark on the the world of music.
Regina Reams-Giuffreda
my dad played with him....and he helped my dad design his Gibson, which I still have......My dad passed 2 years ago today, and this song was played at his funeral....As he wanted..
KatNighthallow1203
When my dad gets sad, he'll have a drink, listen to this, and wonder out loud to me if he made his parents proud. By the time he was in his early thirties, he lost both parents; my grandfather being the last one to go.
I was kinda young when they both went, and I still mourn not being able to remember them more. And sometimes I'll find something of my grandma's and try to be like her.
StacyAnneH
I understand. I was 2 when my grandpa died so I remember nothing about him. I wish I had known him, he was so good working with wood and could have taught me so much.
StacyAnneH
I .love this song. Watch Chet's eyes. This isn't just a song to him, it's personal.
Eric Bleasel
Not only do i miss my Dad every minute of the day,i miss you too Chet Atkins.
Kabihug Medic
I love this song so much everytime i listen to this i cried so much😢😢
Rob Arnold
Gets me every time😢
Neil Woods
MISS YOU DAD