How Am I Supposed to Live
Gary Puckett Lyrics

In the song "How Am I Supposed to Live" by Gary Puckett, the lyrics depict a heartbroken narrator who has just heard the news of their partner's departure from their life. The singer expresses disbelief at the news and feels the need to confirm it directly from their partner. From the look on their partner's face, they realize that the news is indeed true, and their heart is broken.

The singer pleads with their partner to share all the details about the plans they are making and asks for one more piece of information before they leave. This could indicate their desperate attempt to hold on to any glimmer of hope or possibility for reconciliation. They are deeply devastated by the impending loss and are unsure how they will be able to continue living without their partner.

The lyrics emphasize the length of time the singer has been loving their partner. It suggests that their relationship held significant meaning and value to the singer. The question of how they are supposed to live without their partner becomes even more poignant and challenging because of the deep emotional investment they have made.

Despite their pain, the singer tries to maintain a sense of pride and composure. They claim they did not come to confront their partner or break down emotionally. However, they admit that their dream of being more than just friends with their partner, which they had built their world around, is coming to an end. The lyrics suggest that the singer does not want to blame their partner for their own dreams and expectations but acknowledges that their hopes have been shattered.

The singer acknowledges the emotional toll of their situation and questions the "price" they will have to pay for their dreams and desires. They express that even now, the pain they are experiencing is overwhelming. They question how they are expected to live without their partner, whom they have loved for such a long time.

The final lines of the song highlight the devastating loss the singer feels. They emphasize that all they have been living for, presumably their relationship with their partner, is now gone. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and despair as the singer grapples with the reality of their shattered dreams.

Overall, the song captures the raw emotions of heartbreak and the struggle to comprehend a future without the person the singer has loved for so long. It illustrates the pain, confusion, and immense sense of loss that comes with the end of a significant relationship.