If I Can
Etta James Lyrics


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I don't want nobody
If I can't have you
Oh, I can't love nobody
Unless I'm loving you

The way you hug me
The way you squeeze me
The way you kiss me

If I can't have you

I can't talk to nobody
Unless I'm talking to you
I don't wanna hold nobody
Unless I'm holding you

I can't be kissing nobody
Unless I'm kissing you
I just don't
I just don't
I just don't want to be bothered with nobody
Unless I'm bothered with you

The way you hug me
The way you squeeze me
The way you kiss me





If I can't have you

Overall Meaning

Etta James's song "If I Can" is a love song that expresses in great detail the singer's strong attachment and devotion to her beloved. The first verse gives a clear indication of the importance of this person in her life. The lyrics state, "I don't want nobody, If I can't have you, Oh, I can't love nobody, Unless I'm loving you." The singer is saying that she does not want anyone else if she cannot have her lover. She has no desire to love anyone but the person she is singing about. The lyrics show that her love is conditional, and it is based entirely on the one she desires.


The song's chorus continues this message by saying that the way her lover hugs, squeezes, and kisses her are all essential things she needs from them. She says that she cannot talk to anybody unless it is her lover. She only wants to hold them and kiss them, and nobody else. This is made clear in the lyrics "I can't talk to nobody, Unless I'm talking to you, I don't wanna hold nobody, Unless I'm holding you, I can't be kissing nobody, Unless I'm kissing you." The woman in the song is so devoted to her lover that she doesn't even want to interact with anyone else.


Lastly, the last verse of the song reveals that she does not wish to be bothered by anyone else if her lover isn't around. She does not want anyone to waste her time if it is not her lover, expressed by the lyrics "I just don't want to be bothered with nobody Unless I'm bothered with you." The song is an expression of the singer's strong dedication and admiration towards her beloved, and she has no interest in anyone else but them.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want nobody
I have no interest in being with anyone else


If I can't have you
The only person I want to be with is you


Oh, I can't love nobody
I am only capable of loving you


Unless I'm loving you
My love is reserved solely for you


The way you hug me
I cherish the way you hold me in your arms


The way you squeeze me
Your touch brings me incredible joy


The way you kiss me
Your kisses are the only ones I desire


I can't talk to nobody
No one else can hold my attention like you can


Unless I'm talking to you
I only want to converse with you


I don't wanna hold nobody
I have no desire to be intimate with anyone else


Unless I'm holding you
I only desire physical intimacy with you


I can't be kissing nobody
I am only interested in kissing you


Unless I'm kissing you
You are the only person I want to kiss


I just don't
There is no one else that can compare to you


I just don't
You are the only one I want


I just don't want to be bothered with nobody
I am not interested in anyone else's advances


Unless I'm bothered with you
I only want attention from you


The way you hug me
I am constantly reminded of how much I adore being held by you


The way you squeeze me
Your touch is something I never want to live without


The way you kiss me
Your kisses are the only ones that have ever made my heart flutter


If I can't have you
You are the only person I want to be with and nothing else will suffice




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: PAUL FREEMAN, RAINE MAIDA, KARA ELIZABETH DIOGUARDI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Erik brodland


on I Just Want to Make Love to You

Love this song so much, it makes me think of my son's Beautiful mommy jasmin and her amazing.voice.

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