You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
Dusty Springfield Lyrics


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When I said I needed you
You said you would always stay
It wasn't me who changed but you and now you've gone away
Don't you see that now you've gone
And I'm left here on my own
That I have to follow you and beg you to come home

You don't have to say you love me, just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever, I will understand
Believe me, believe me, I can't help but love you
But believe me, I'll never tie you down
Left alone with just a memory
Life seems dead and so unreal
All that's left is loneliness, there's nothing left to feel

You don't have to say you love me, just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever, I will understand
Believe me, believe me
You don't have to say you love me just be close at hand





You don't have to stay forever, I will understand
Believe me, believe me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" describe the feeling of heartbreak and loneliness that comes with the end of a relationship. The singer is left alone after their partner leaves them, and they realize that they are now the one who is left to chase after their former lover. The singer still loves the person who left them, but they understand that they can't make them stay if they don't want to.


The first verse reveals the singer's frustration with their former partner. They had expressed their need for the person, but the partner did not reciprocate and instead left without any explanation. The second verse explores the consequences of this partner leaving; the singer is left with memories and feelings of emptiness, unable to move on from the loss. The chorus "You don't have to say you love me, just be close at hand / You don't have to stay forever, I will understand" expresses the singer's desire for the partner's companionship without the need for declarations of love or a commitment to forever.


The song's repeated phrase "Believe me" reinforces the singer's sincerity and shows that they are willing to accept the situation and move on if needed. Overall, the song captures the emotions of someone who is struggling to come to terms with a breakup and is holding on to the hope of reconciliation.


Line by Line Meaning

When I said I needed you
When I expressed that I required you


You said you would always stay
You assured me that you would always be there


It wasn't me who changed but you and now you've gone away
I didn't undergo a transformation, but you did and now you have separated from me


Don't you see that now you've gone
Do you not understand that since you left


And I'm left here on my own
I am left here by myself


That I have to follow you and beg you to come home
I have to pursue you and plead with you to return home


You don't have to say you love me, just be close at hand
You don't have to verbally affirm your love for me, just be near me


You don't have to stay forever, I will understand
You don't have to stay permanently, I will comprehend


Believe me, believe me, I can't help but love you
Trust me, trust me, I am unable to refrain from loving you


But believe me, I'll never tie you down
However, believe me, I won't restrict you


Left alone with just a memory
Left by myself with only a recollection


Life seems dead and so unreal
Life appears lifeless and inauthentic


All that's left is loneliness, there's nothing left to feel
The only remaining emotion is sorrow, there is nothing else to sense


You don't have to say you love me just be close at hand
You don't have to confess your love for me, just be by my side


You don't have to stay forever, I will understand
You don't have to remain permanently, I will accept it


Believe me, believe me
Trust me, trust me




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Giuseppe Donaggio, Simon Napier-Bell, Vito Pallavicini, Vicki Heather Wickham

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Lisa Dillan - Lyrics

When I said, I needed you
You said you would always stay
It wasn't me who changed, but you
And now you've gone away

Don't you see that now you're gone
And I'm left here on my own
Then I have to follow you
And beg you to come home

You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me,
I can't help but love you
But believe me, I'll never tie you down

Left alone with just a memory
Life seems dead and so unreal
All that's left is loneliness
There's nothing left to feel

You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me
You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me. Believe me…

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