Thorogood cut his debut album titled Better Than the Rest in 1974, and released it that same year. In the autumn of 1976 he recorded his second album, the eponymous George Thorogood with his band, The Destroyers (sometimes also known as The Delaware Destroyers) and issued the album in 1977. Thorogood released his next album entitled Move It On Over in the autumn of 1978 with The Destroyers, which included the hit "Move It On Over" in 1978. "Please Set A Date" and "Who Do You Love" both followed in 1979.
During the 1980s, and 1990s, Thorogood recorded some of his most well known works, Bad To The Bone (used to great effect during the bar scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day), "I Drink Alone" (from his Maverick album), "You Talk Too Much", and "If You Don't Start Drinking, I'm Gonna Leave".
Thorogood is best known for his animated stage presence and loud, raucous electric guitar playing. He is also known as "Lonesome George".
Just Can't Make It
George Thorogood Lyrics
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Well, I just can't make it
Well, I just can't make it
Well, I just can't make it
Well, I just can't makit it anymore
Well, I come home last night
About the break of day
She said it was something that you don't know
You doin' something last night you didn't do before
Just can't make it
Well, I just can't make it, woman
Well, I just can't make it
I can't make it anymore
Well, my momma she told me
Papa too
Settle down boy there's something wrong with you
A looky here son, said now ain't that a shame
The woman that you're lovin' lovin' another man
Just can't make it
No you just can't make it son
Well, you just can't make it
You can't make it anymore
Well, it's alright now baby
Alright for you
Alright now baby any ole way you do
Tell you now people what I'm gonna do
Find me somebody, then gettin' rid of you
Just can't make it
Well, I just can't make it woman
Well, I just can't make it
I can't make it anymore
The lyrics of George Thorogood & The Destroyers's song “Just Can't Make It” describes a failing relationship. The singer is struggling to keep his connection alive and is letting his partner go despite wanting to salvage the relationship. Although he cannot make it work, he is in denial and tries to ignore the problem, which ends up making it worse. The first and second verses show how the singer is trying to communicate with his partner, who does not want to make an effort to save the relationship. In the second verse, the singer’s parents also show concern for him and call him out for not being able to see that his partner is seeing someone else behind his back.
The chorus, which is repeated after every verse, emphasizes the singer's desperation and exhaustion with the situation. He is not only frustrated but also defeated, admitting that he just can't make it anymore. The final verse shows the singer has given up and is willing to move on. He is accepting that his relationship is over and is going to find somebody else.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we just can't make things work. Sometimes relationships are beyond saving, and despite our resistance to accept it, it is better to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I just can't make it
The singer is expressing his inability to continue with his current situation.
Well, I come home last night
The singer came home last night.
About the break of day
He arrived home at dawn.
She said to her daddy that I'm goin away
The woman told her father that she is leaving the singer.
She said it was something that you don't know
The woman said there was something that the singer did not know.
You doin' something last night you didn't do before
The woman suspects that the singer did something unusual last night.
Just can't make it
The singer is still unable to cope with the situation.
Well, my momma she told me
The singer's mother advises him.
Papa too
The singer's father also gives him advice.
Settle down boy there's something wrong with you
They both advise the singer to calm down because something is wrong with him.
The woman that you're lovin' lovin' another man
Both parents suspect that the woman the singer loves is seeing another man.
No you just can't make it son
The parents agree that the singer cannot handle the situation.
Well, it's alright now baby
The singer is telling the woman that everything is fine now.
Alright for you
He acknowledges that the woman may be fine with the situation.
Tell you now people what I'm gonna do
The singer is letting everyone know what he plans to do next.
Find me somebody, then gettin' rid of you
The singer plans to find someone else and leave the woman.
I can't make it anymore
The singer repeats that he is unable to continue with the current situation.
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.