After signing a contract with the Atlantic Records label Lava Records in 1994, his first major-label album, Honor Among Thieves, was issued in 1995. His second album, Misguided Roses, spawned I'll Be, a major single in 1998. Two more albums (Messenger and Far from Over) followed, but at the end of 2001, he split from Lava. In 2003 he released a collection of acoustic versions of songs both old and new called The Austin Sessions via ATC Records, a Nashville-based independent record label (at which McCain was the first artist signed following its creation in 2001). Mid-2004 saw the arrival of his first studio album in three years, entitled Scream & Whisper, which was released on another indie label, DRT Entertainment.
He has released two DVDs to date. The first was through ATC records in late 2002, called Mile Marker: Songs and Stories from the Acoustic Highway, and it consisted of interviews, live performances, and other material. The other was in late 2004, Tinsel & Tap Shoes. It was his first live concert DVD, recorded at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
A new CD was released in April, 2006 titled, Lost in America. Edwin recently signed a contract with Vanguard Records. This album (#8) is said to be a true "rock 'n roll" collection.
Profile photo by ASHLittle.
Can I Get A Witness
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it right to be left alone
While the one you love is never home?
Well, I love too hard
All my friends sometimes say
I believe, I believe
That a woman should be loved that way
But it hurts me so inside
To see her treat me so unkind
Somebody, somewhere tell her it's unfair
Let me hear you, baby
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Is it right to be treated so bad
When you've given everything you had?
Even tossing in my sleep
'Cause I haven't seen my baby all week
Now, you chicks, you do agree
That this ain't the way love's supposed to be
Let me hear you say
Say, yeah, yeah
Up early in the morning
With her on my mind
Just to find out
All night, baby, I've been crying
But I believe, I believe
That a woman is a man's best friend
I'm gonna stick by her until the very end
But she causes so much misery
I forgot how it's supposed to be
Somebody, somewhere, tell her it's unfair
You know what I'm talking about
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Witness, witness
Everybody knows, especially you girls
Love can be so sad
But I have a love that's twice as bad
Now, you chicks, you do agree
That this ain't the way love's supposed to be
Let me hear you say
Say, yeah, yeah
Now, you chicks, you do agree
That this ain't the way love's supposed to be
Let me hear you say
Say, yeah, yeah, listen
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Witness, witness
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Witness, witness
The lyrics of Edwin McCain's "Can I Get a Witness" are pleading to both men and women to empathize with the pain of a lover who is constantly ignored and neglected. The song is focused on the singer's pain of loving too hard and not receiving the same amount of love in return. The opening line is addressed specifically to women, asking if it's right to be left alone while the man they love is never home. The song then transitions to the singer expressing his own agony in loving too hard and believing that a woman should be loved that way. He then goes on to lament about the hurt he feels when he's treated unkindly, and begs for someone to tell his lover that it's not fair. The chorus then repeats the refrain of the singer asking for a witness to his pain.
The song then moves to the second verse where the lyrics are focused on the singer's inability to forget about his lover. He constantly thinks of her and is unable to sleep, resulting in him crying himself to sleep. He then declares his loyalty to his lover and vows to stick by her until the very end. However, he also acknowledges that his lover causes him so much misery that he's forgotten what true love is supposed to be. Yet, he still pleads for a witness to his pain as he seeks to validate his suffering.
Overall, the song is a plea for empathy towards anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited love. It's a relatable message for anyone who has ever given it their all in a relationship and not received the same amount of love in return. The song speaks to the raw emotion and heartache that can be caused by unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen everybody, especially you girls
The singer is addressing everyone, but also specifically directing his message towards women.
Is it right to be left alone
While the one you love is never home?
The singer questions whether it is acceptable to have a partner who is never around and leaves him feeling neglected.
Well, I love too hard
All my friends sometimes say
I believe, I believe
That a woman should be loved that way
The singer admits to loving deeply and passionately, and shares his belief that a woman should be loved in this manner.
But it hurts me so inside
To see her treat me so unkind
Somebody, somewhere tell her it's unfair
Let me hear you, baby
The artist is hurt by the way his partner treats him and pleads for someone to tell her that it is unfair.
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
The artist calls for someone to bear witness to the way he is being treated.
Is it right to be treated so bad
When you've given everything you had?
Even tossing in my sleep
'Cause I haven't seen my baby all week
The singer wonders if it is justified to be treated poorly by his partner despite giving his all and even losing sleep over her absence.
Now, you chicks, you do agree
That this ain't the way love's supposed to be
Let me hear you say
Say, yeah, yeah
The singer asks women to acknowledge that this is not how love should feel and to express their agreement.
Up early in the morning
With her on my mind
Just to find out
All night, baby, I've been crying
The artist wakes up thinking of his partner, only to discover that he had spent the night crying.
But she causes so much misery
I forgot how it's supposed to be
Somebody, somewhere, tell her it's unfair
You know what I'm talking about
The artist realizes that his partner brings him more pain than happiness and begs for someone to tell her that it is not fair to him.
Everybody knows, especially you girls
Love can be so sad
But I have a love that's twice as bad
The artist acknowledges that love can be difficult and painful, but mentions that his situation is even worse than what is commonly experienced.
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
Witness, witness
The singer continues to call for someone to bear witness to his struggles in love.
Contributed by Brayden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.