Diana Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Ca… Read Full Bio ↴Diana Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (on November 16, 1964). She began learning the piano at the age of four. In high school, she started playing in a small jazz group. At the age of fifteen, she started playing regularly in several Nanaimo restaurants. She also spent some time in Toronto studying with Canadian Jazz great, Don Thompson (Bass/Piano) and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts she moved to the U.S to continue studies and develop her career.

Her playing attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown, who brought her into touch with influential teachers and producers. At the age of seventeen, she won a scholarship from the Vancouver Jazz Festival to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After three terms she moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, with whom she also began to sing. In 1990, Krall relocated to New York. She is married to British musician Elvis Costello.

I Can't Tell You Why
Diana Krall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Look at us baby, up all night
Tearing our love apart
Aren't we the same two people who live
Through years in the dark?
Ah
Every time I try to walk away
Something makes me turn around and stay
And I can't tell you why

When we get crazy,
It just ain't to right, (try to keep you head, little girl)
Boy, I get lonely, too
You don't have to worry
Just hold on tight (don't get caught in your little world)
'Cause I love you
Nothing's wrong as far as I can see
We make it harder than it has to be
And I can't tell you why
No, baby, I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why

Every time I try to walk away
Something makes me turn around and stay
And I can't tell you why
And I can't tell you why

I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why

I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Diana Krall's song "I Can't Tell You Why" convey a message of confusion about an emotional connection that persists despite the obvious problems in a relationship. The song begins with a reflection on the long night the couple has been staying up, and the fact that their love is tearing them apart. Despite this, they remain the same people who have been through years in the dark together. There is something that keeps them together.

In the chorus, Krall acknowledges that their relationship is not perfect, and that it brings out irrational behavior in both of them. Boy, I get lonely too, she sings, echoing her partner's fears that she will leave him. But she reassures him that he doesn't have to worry, and encourages him to hold on tight. She loves him, and as far as she can see, nothing is wrong with their relationship. Yet, she acknowledges that they make it harder than it has to be, and she can't explain why.

The repeated refrain "I can't tell you why" underscores the confusion that characterizes the relationship. Despite the apparent problems, something draws Krall back to her partner every time she tries to walk away. The song suggests the complicated nature of love, and how it sometimes defies explanation.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at us baby, up all night
Despite our conflicts, we're still committed to staying up all night and trying to resolve our issues

Tearing our love apart
Our actions and emotions are slowly but surely destroying our love and relationship

Aren't we the same two people who live Through years in the dark?
We've been through tough times before and came out strong, so why is it different now?

Every time I try to walk away Something makes me turn around and stay And I can't tell you why
I can't explain why I keep coming back even though it's not healthy or ideal for us

When we get crazy, It just ain't to right, (try to keep you head, little girl) Boy, I get lonely, too You don't have to worry Just hold on tight (don't get caught in your little world) 'Cause I love you Nothing's wrong as far as I can see We make it harder than it has to be
We both have our own issues that contribute to our conflicts, but at the end of the day, love is what keeps us together. We're making it harder for ourselves than it needs to be

And I can't tell you why No, baby, I can't tell you why
Once again, I can't explain why we continue to put ourselves through this cycle of love and pain

I can't tell you why
This is a repeated sentiment that emphasizes the singer's inability to explain why they stay in this unhealthy relationship

Lyrics © EB MUSIC SERVICES, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON HENLEY, TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT, GLENN LEWIS FREY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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