I Can't do That Anymore
Faith Hill Lyrics


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Cut my hair the way you wanted
Watched you become important
Quit my job to make our new home far away
Now you're Mr. Successful and I'm queen of the treadmill
Trying to stay the size you think that I should stay
I used to dream about what I would be
Last night I dreamed about a washing machine
I keep on giving
But I can't stop living
A woman needs a little something of her own
I like happy endings
I don't like depending
I keep right on pretending
But I can't do that anymore

Now you say I'm being silly
But you don't know me really
You never take the time to ask me how I feel
I keep the checkbook balanced
I decorate your palace
You know I used to think that you were king
Somewhere down deep I know you really love me
But you can't see that what we have's not all I needed

I keep on giving
But I can't stop living
A woman needs a little something of her own
I like happy endings
I don't like depending
I keep right on pretending
But I can't do that anymore

You try to tell me I'm not being fair to you
But life's too short for a selfish attitude

I keep on giving
But I can't stop living
A woman needs a little something of her own
I like happy endings
I don't like depending
I keep right on pretending
But I can't do that anymore





I can't do that anymore

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Faith Hill's "I Can't Do That Anymore" speak of a woman's realization that she can no longer sacrifice her own happiness and independence for the sake of her partner. The song recounts the singer's past compromises of cutting her hair to her partner's preference, quitting her job to move away, and striving to maintain the size her partner desired. She explains how she used to dream of her ambitions and desires, but now, she dreams about something as mundane as a washing machine. The chorus repeats the line, "I keep on giving, but I can't stop living. A woman needs a little something of her own," reinforcing the idea that the singer needs to focus on her own wants and needs.


The second verse highlights how the partner fails to understand her, despite the singer's efforts to maintain their home and financial stability. The line "Somewhere down deep I know you really love me, but you can't see that what we have's not all I needed" shows that while love exists between the two, the needs and desires of the singer must also be met. The song crescendos as the singer insists that "life's too short for a selfish attitude" and she can no longer pretend to be content with sacrificing her happiness for the sake of her partner's career.


Overall, "I Can't Do That Anymore" addresses the importance of prioritizing one's own happiness and not sacrificing it for the sake of a partner. It sheds light on the struggles of women who may feel unfulfilled in their relationships due to societal pressures or traditional gender roles.


Line by Line Meaning

Cut my hair the way you wanted
I changed my physical appearance to please you


Watched you become important
I supported your career aspirations


Quit my job to make our new home far away
I gave up my professional life for us


Now you're Mr. Successful and I'm queen of the treadmill
You're successful and I'm stuck in a routine


Trying to stay the size you think that I should stay
I'm conforming to your expectations of my body


I used to dream about what I would be
I had aspirations for myself


Last night I dreamed about a washing machine
My dreams are now mundane and domestic


I keep on giving
I continue to make sacrifices for you


But I can't stop living
But I also need to live my own life


A woman needs a little something of her own
Women need personal fulfillment


I like happy endings
I want a positive outcome


I don't like depending
I don't want to rely solely on someone else


I keep right on pretending
I keep pretending to be satisfied with this dynamic


But I can't do that anymore
But I can't continue to pretend and sacrifice my own happiness


Now you say I'm being silly
You dismiss my feelings


But you don't know me really
You don't understand my perspective


You never take the time to ask me how I feel
You don't engage in meaningful communication with me


I keep the checkbook balanced
I handle the finances in our household


I decorate your palace
I take care of the household maintenance and aesthetics


You know I used to think that you were king
I used to idealize you as my partner


Somewhere down deep I know you really love me
I believe you have genuine feelings for me


But you can't see that what we have's not all I needed
But you don't understand that I need more than what we currently have




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Eugene Jackson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

GrievousAngel 73

I use to dream about what I would be , last night I dreamed about the washing machine. That hits home y’all 🥺

James Sells

Yes, and I'm the male here. LoL!

Ashley N

100% my situation

S S

I proof read his grad thesis, when I was 9 months with our third baby in 3 years, in his country, now he makes fun of me for not having a degree. WTF
Edit grammar, also he's soon gonna have to learn to live without me, my heart is breaking, he's already moved on to the bed of another.

Robin Gillian-Riggs

*washing my sheets

Mauro Pacitto

Every time I hear this song,that part always hits my soul 🥹🥹🥹🥹

Sparkles17 Johnson

Yep i just got out of a relationship like that, I CANT DO THAT ANYMORE….!!! I have to have peace in my life

Keith kenobi

Man I tell ya,the 80's and the 90's was a damn good time for country music. Faith,Reba, Martina,Trisha,Paulette Carslon of Highway 101,Linda Davis,Oh God there were so many.

Nicho'Les Jaxon

OZZZ LUVZZZZ U!!!!! WE SUMM RARE&DIEHARD "19SUMP"💯💪

Michelle Diaco

@countrygirl country musiclover lead singer of highway 101 Paulette Carlson

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