Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors is an American band led by singer and songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors is an American band led by singer and songwriter Drew Holcomb. Formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2007 following the success of Holcomb's solo album "Washed in Blue" in 2005.

In 2006, Holcomb married his longtime friend and singing partner, Ellie Holcomb (nee Bannister), and relocated to her hometown of Nashville. The rest of the band, guitarist Nathan Dugger, bassist Rich Brinsfield, and drummer Jon Radford also lived in the same East Nashville area, hence the group name.

Their albums include "A Neighborly Christmas" (2007), "Passenger Seat" (2008), "A Million Miles Away" (2009), "Chasing Someday" (2011), "Through the Night: Live in the Studio" (2012), and "Good Light" (2013).

You Want What You Can't Have
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some people want a house on the top of the hill.
Some people want people to pay all their bills.
Some people want to move on, some people want to go back in time.
Some people buy everything they want, other people don't have a dime.
You want what you can't have,
Since the Garden of Eden it's been like that.
You can't tear down the tree, or pull all the weeds,
You want what you can't have.

Some people wear their heart on their sleeve,
Some people have a heart of stone.
Some people are the life of the party.
Others want to be left alone.
Some people want a drink.
Some people want a smoke.
Some people stay up all night,
Praying for a child of their own.

You want what you can't have,
Since the Garden of Eden it's been like that.
You can't tear down the tree, or pull all the weeds,
Spend your life looking for the greener grass.
You want what you can't have.
Even fortune tellers can't go back.
Can't wake the dead, or change what you said.
You want what you can't have.

We want the spark but we don't want the burn.
We want the love but we don't want the hurt.

You want what you can't have,
Since the Garden of Eden it's been like that.
You can't tear down the tree, or pull all the weeds,
Spend your life looking for the greener grass.
You want what you can't have.
Even fortune tellers can't go back.

Can't wake the dead, or change what you said.
You want what you can't have.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "You Want What You Can't Have" by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors reflect on the universally relatable experience of desire and longing for things that are out of reach. The song begins by highlighting various examples of common desires people have, such as wanting a luxurious house or someone else to take care of their financial responsibilities. It also touches on the conflicting desires to both move forward in life or return to the past and the contrasting experiences of abundance and scarcity.

The repetition of the line "You want what you can't have, since the Garden of Eden it's been like that" connects the theme of desire to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. The reference to the Garden of Eden suggests that the human tendency to desire what cannot be obtained is deeply rooted in our nature and has been present since the beginning of time. The mention of tearing down the tree and pulling weeds alludes to the futile attempts to eliminate these inherent desires.

The second paragraph delves further into the different desires people have, emphasizing the contrasting aspects of human nature. Some wear their emotions openly, while others have a hardened heart. Some enjoy socializing and being the center of attention, while others prefer solitude. The lyrics also touch on the longing for escape through substances like alcohol and tobacco, as well as the deep yearning for a child.

The chorus is repeated twice, reinforcing the central theme. It suggests that the desire for what is unattainable is an enduring aspect of the human condition. The mention of looking for the greener grass symbolizes the often futile search for something better than what we currently possess. The reference to fortune tellers and the inability to change the past or wake the dead further reinforces the idea that there are certain desires and circumstances that simply cannot be altered.

The final lines of the song encapsulate the contradictory nature of desire. While we desire love and connection, we often fear the pain and vulnerability that comes with it. We want the spark of love but not the potential for heartbreak. The repeated chorus serves as a reminder that, despite our desires, there are some things that we are destined to never attain.

Line by Line Meaning

Some people want a house on the top of the hill.
Some individuals desire to attain a luxurious and elevated lifestyle.

Some people want people to pay all their bills.
Certain individuals wish for others to take on their financial responsibilities.

Some people want to move on, some people want to go back in time.
There are those who strive for progress, while others yearn for past experiences.

Some people buy everything they want, other people don't have a dime.
While some individuals can afford to purchase their desires, others are financially lacking.

You want what you can't have,
You possess a strong desire for things that are unattainable to you.

Since the Garden of Eden it's been like that.
This longing for the unattainable has been a part of human nature since the beginning of time.

You can't tear down the tree, or pull all the weeds,
You are unable to remove obstacles or difficulties completely.

You want what you can't have.
You desire things that are beyond your reach.

Some people wear their heart on their sleeve,
Certain individuals openly express their emotions to others.

Some people have a heart of stone.
Other individuals exhibit a lack of sensitivity or compassion towards others.

Some people are the life of the party.
Certain individuals thrive in social gatherings and enjoy being the center of attention.

Others want to be left alone.
Other people prefer solitude and solitude over social interactions.

Some people want a drink.
There are those who desire alcoholic beverages.

Some people want a smoke.
Certain individuals crave the habit of smoking.

Some people stay up all night,
Certain individuals find themselves awake throughout the night.

Praying for a child of their own.
These individuals fervently hope for the blessing of having their own child.

You want what you can't have,
You possess a strong desire for things that are unattainable to you.

Since the Garden of Eden it's been like that.
This longing for the unattainable has been a part of human nature since the beginning of time.

You can't tear down the tree, or pull all the weeds,
You are unable to remove obstacles or difficulties completely.

Spend your life looking for the greener grass.
You continuously search for something better and more fulfilling.

You want what you can't have.
You desire things that are beyond your reach.

Even fortune tellers can't go back.
Even individuals with extraordinary insight into the future cannot alter the past.

Can't wake the dead, or change what you said.
You are powerless to revive the deceased or alter the words you have previously spoken.

You want what you can't have.
You desire things that are beyond your reach.

We want the spark but we don't want the burn.
We desire the excitement and passion in life, but we are unwilling to endure the pain that accompanies it.

We want the love but we don't want the hurt.
We seek love and affection, yet we avoid the emotional pain and suffering that may come with it.