Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters was an American band assembled by singer Cly… Read Full Bio ↴Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters was an American band assembled by singer Clyde McPhatter in 1953. In late 1954, McPhatter was inducted into the U.S. Army and, after his tour of duty, left The Drifters to follow a solo career.

Let Me Know
Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I, I know that you're leaving me
And you can't be with me
But you still care for me
Well what do you want from me

I can feel that
I can hear that
Bottomless paper mat

I feel everything

I, I'm still missing you
And everything you do
I love everything you are
But the love is so far

I can feel that
I can hear that
Bottomless paper mat
I feel everything

I wanna get over this
Cause I'm feeling like shit
And I want you back
Even for a bit

I can feel that
I can hear that

Bottomless paper mat
I feel everything

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of "Let Me Know" by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters, the singer expresses a deep sense of longing and sorrow over a breakup and the impending departure of their partner. The opening lines convey the singer's awareness of their partner's decision to leave, despite still caring for them. The sense of uncertainty and confusion is palpable as the singer questions what their partner wants from them in this situation. The emotional turmoil of not being able to be with the one they love is evident in these lines.

The repetition of the lines "I can feel that, I can hear that, Bottomless paper mat, I feel everything" serves to emphasize the depth of the singer's emotions and the overwhelming nature of their feelings. The imagery of a "bottomless paper mat" suggests a sense of fragility and vulnerability, as if their emotions are boundless and uncontrollable. It reflects the complexity of their emotional state and the depth of their pain.

The subsequent verses delve into the singer's continued longing and yearning for their departed partner. Despite missing them and cherishing every aspect of who they are, the physical and emotional distance between them feels insurmountable. The singer is left grappling with the ache of separation and the realization that their love may be out of reach. The repetition of the refrain underscores the intensity of their emotions and the all-encompassing nature of their longing.

In the closing verses, the singer expresses a desperate desire to overcome their heartache and confusion. They admit to feeling miserable and express a deep yearning to have their partner back in their life, even if only temporarily. The raw honesty and vulnerability in these lines capture the essence of heartbreak and the struggle to come to terms with the end of a relationship. The repeated refrain serves as a poignant reminder of the singer's overwhelming emotional state and the profound impact of their loss.

Line by Line Meaning

I, I know that you're leaving me
I realize that you are departing from my life, making a conscious choice to move on.

And you can't be with me
You are unable to remain in a relationship with me, indicating a definitive separation.

But you still care for me
Despite the distance growing between us, I perceive that you still harbor feelings of affection for me.

Well what do you want from me
I am left pondering your intentions; what are you seeking from me in this complicated situation?

I can feel that
I am acutely aware of the emotional currents surrounding us.

I can hear that
I am attuned to the unspoken words and silent sentiments that linger in the air.

Bottomless paper mat
This metaphor suggests a void beneath me, a foundational layer that feels infinite and without stability.

I feel everything
There is an overwhelming intensity to my emotions; I am immersed in the full spectrum of my feelings.

I, I'm still missing you
I continue to experience a deep longing for your presence in my life.

And everything you do
I find myself reflecting on your actions, which resonate with me and add to my feelings of loss.

I love everything you are
I cherish every aspect of your being, from your personality to your choices.

But the love is so far
Unfortunately, the affection I feel now feels distant and unreachable, creating a sense of separation.

I can feel that
Once again, I acknowledge the emotional pull of this situation.

I can hear that
I remain sensitive to the underlying emotions that are spoken through silence.

Bottomless paper mat
The metaphor resurfaces, symbolizing the depth of instability and emptiness I perceive.

I feel everything
The intensity of my emotions is all-encompassing; I cannot escape the weight of my feelings.

I wanna get over this
I desire to move past this pain, seeking closure and relief from my heartache.

Cause I'm feeling like shit
The emotional turmoil I'm experiencing is profound, leading to feelings of distress and unhappiness.

And I want you back
I yearn for reconciliation, longing for your return to my life and to the love we shared.

Even for a bit
I would treasure even a fleeting moment with you, highlighting the depth of my desire and longing.

I can feel that
Once more, I connect with the emotional landscape we share.

I can hear that
I remain attuned to the silent dialogues of our hearts.

Bottomless paper mat
The metaphor of instability resurfaces, marking the continued uncertainty of my emotional ground.

I feel everything
The full weight of my emotions continues to envelop me; I am fully engaged in this emotional struggle.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Christopher Rapp

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@tedwhitus

22w

I remember when this song came out. It actually was the flip side song for the main song "Come what may" on the front side. I liked them both. However, I like "Let me know" the best. When these would come on the radio, I would sing along with them. Wonderful days back then.