Michael Kotch and his twin brother Ben Kotch had been looking to start a band and needed a singer and bassist. After Colleen Fitzpatrick met Michael while both were in school at New York University, she eventually became the group's singer; Fitzpatrick, who had studied dance previously, had recently had some success with a leading role in John Waters' 1988 film, Hairspray, which went on to become a cult classic. The band went through several bass players. The name "Eve's Plum" was derived from Eve Plumb, the actress who most notably portrayed Jan Brady on The Brady Bunch.
The group was signed to Sony Records in 1992, and in 1993, their debut album, "Envy", was released. Its first single (arguably its most popular) was "Blue", which had the good fortune to have its music video appear in an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head. Two additional singles were released from Envy, "Die Like Someone" and "I Want It All". After some difficulty locating the right bass player, Theo Mack joined the group. Another single, "Eye", appeared on the soundtrack to "Higher Learning".
The band's second album, "Cherry Alive", was released in 1995. While developing the album, the band recorded a cover version of "If I Can't Have You" which found its way onto a compilation album, "Spirit Of 73 Rock for Choice". Two singles were promoted from Cherry Alive, though not very well: "Wishing the Day Away" and "Jesus Loves You".
Not successful commercially, the band did not receive further support from their label and were subsequently dropped. They performed for some time thereafter, but this was the beginning of the end. They recorded "Save a Prayer" for a Duran Duran tribute album in 1998, but the band was not really viable. Its members moved on to other projects. Fitzpatrick has had some success with solo albums under the name Vitamin C, as well as acting parts in several films.
If I Can't Have You
Eve's Plum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When there's got to be no chance for me
My life would end
And it doesn't matter how I cry
My fears of love are a waste of time
If I turn away, am I strong enough to see it through?
Go crazy is what I'll do
If I can't have you
I don't want nobody baby
If I can't have you
If I can't have you
I don't want nobody baby
If I can't have you
Can't let go and it doesn't matter how I try
I gave it all so easily to you my love
And dreams that will never come true
Am I strong enough to see it through?
Go crazy is what I'll do
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
If I can't have you
I don't want nobody baby
If I can't have you
The lyrics of Eve's Plum's song "If I Can't Have You" talks about the intense feelings of unrequited love and the desperation that the singer feels. The song reflects the emotions of someone who is extremely attached to their love interest and cannot imagine a life without them. The lines "Don't know why I'm surviving every lonely day, When there's got to be no chance for me, My life would end" reflect how the singer feels a deep sense of despair without the person they love. They feel that their life is meaningless without that special someone.
The singer's fears of love being a waste of time and the question "If I turn away, am I strong enough to see it through? Go crazy is what I'll do" reflect the emotional turmoil that this individual is enduring. They are uncertain about their ability to break away from their love interest, and the idea of being unable to have them almost seems unbearable.
The chorus brings the theme of the song to the forefront: "If I can't have you, I don't want nobody baby." This line is indicative of the mentality of someone who is so invested in their love interest that they cannot imagine being with someone else.
In conclusion, "If I Can't Have You" is a song that represents the intense emotions that come with unrequited love. It reflects the mental state of someone who is completely caught up in their love interest, and the fear and desperation that comes with being unable to have them.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know why I'm surviving every lonely day
I don't understand why I continue to exist without you.
When there's got to be no chance for me
I feel like there is no hope for us to be together.
My life would end
Not being with you makes me want to give up on life.
And it doesn't matter how I cry
No amount of tears can change the fact that I can't be with you.
My fears of love are a waste of time
My worries about loving you were for nothing because I still can't have you.
If I turn away, am I strong enough to see it through?
If I give up on you, will I be able to handle the emotions that come with it?
Go crazy is what I'll do
The idea of not being with you drives me insane.
[Chorus:] If I can't have you, I don't want nobody baby
I would rather be alone than be with anyone other than you.
Can't let go and it doesn't matter how I try
I can't shake my feelings for you no matter how hard I try.
I gave it all so easily to you my love
I freely gave you everything I had, including my heart.
And dreams that will never come true
We had hopes and dreams for a future together that will never be realized.
Am I strong enough to see it through?
I question my own strength to deal with the pain of not being with you.
Go crazy is what I'll do
The thought of not being able to have you makes me feel like I'm losing my mind.
[Chorus: Repeat 2X] If I can't have you, I don't want nobody baby
I would rather be alone forever than be without you.
If I can't have you
The whole song is about not being able to have the person she loves.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Alan Gibb, Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@badluckblueeyes
I listen to this on a loop. One of my favorite covers. Power pop perfection. 🥰🔥
@ogam5
In case anybody's wondering where this came from. it appeared on the 1995 commemorative compilation CD Spirit Of '73 - Rock For Choice, which also included excellent covers of "Dreams" (Fleetwood Mac) by Letters To Cleo, "Feel Like Makin' Love" (Roberta Flack) by Melissa Ferrick, "Midnight At The Oasis" (Maria Muldaur) by that dog and "Have You Never Been Mellow" (Olivia Newton-John) by Pet. Another fantastic 70's-era cover well worth finding is Babes In Toyland's of "We Are Family".....
@Pagali24
Me too! I also like this powerful version of the song. It rocks! Thanks for posting ^_^
@chickrock6681
Very cool cover!! I just heard this on a compilation CD that I just got. Thanks for posting it.
@RobertGary1
These guys are really awesome.
@jon-michael1374
great cover! i love Eve's Plum and i've been looking for this song to download.
@RacerX929
dang I like this version too. Had no idea there were all these different covers of Yvonne Elliman. Thats props to Yvonne.
@ysbkr22
Love it
@currva70
This is a good song and great pics to go along with it 5/5
@jimmccord487
@ 2:30