No Matter How I Try
Gilbert O’Sullivan Lyrics


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No matter how I try
I just can't say goodbye
No matter whay you say
looks like I'm here to stay

No matter where I go
I don't know if you know
but everywhere we been
I'm kept in quarantine

It's easy to see why
She's over six feet five
I'm only five foot two
Is there a tyre somewhere
That might take me a spare
Is there a bank in town
That might cash me a pound
Is there a place you know
Where I can open the door

It's easy to see why
She's over six feet five
I'm only five foot two
Is there a tyre somewhere
That might take me a spare
Is there a bank in town
That might cash me a pound
Is there a place you know
Where I can open the door

Oh I remember our first anniverary
It was one of those occasions where believe you me
I would rather been held ransom at the point of a gun
Then to suffer indignation for something I hadn't done

No matter how I try
I just can't say goodbye




No matter whay you say
looks like I'm here to stay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gilbert O'Sullivan's "No Matter How I Try" is a song about a man who is trying to cling onto a relationship that is on the rocks. The repetitive phrase "no matter how I try" serves as a lament of the man’s inability to let go of his partner. The opening line, "No matter how I try, I just can’t say goodbye,” suggests the overall theme of desperation and how the man is struggling to move on. Even though he acknowledges his partner's indifference towards him, it does not stop him from wanting to stay in the relationship. According to him, "looks like I'm here to stay," no matter how much she tries to end the relationship.


The subsequent verses describe the man’s perceived powerlessness in the relationship. The phrase "kept in quarantine" suggests the man has been isolated and is unable to move forward, whereas his partner is careless about the situation. The man tries to seek solutions by asking questions that seemingly have no relation to his problem. From the reference to his partner’s height, "She's over six feet five, I'm only five foot two," it suggests that the man feels inferior in the relationship, as if he is constantly trying to catch up to her. The verse "Is there a tire somewhere that might take me as spare" suggests that he is looking for someone who might be more interested in him.


Line by Line Meaning

No matter how I try
Despite my efforts


I just can't say goodbye
I cannot bring myself to end things with you


No matter whay you say
Regardless of what you say


looks like I'm here to stay
It seems that I will remain in this situation


No matter where I go
No matter my location


I don't know if you know
I'm uncertain if you're aware


but everywhere we been
Everywhere we have gone together


I'm kept in quarantine
I feel confined and isolated


It's easy to see why
The reason is obvious


She's over six feet five
The woman in question is very tall


I'm only five foot two
I, on the other hand, am very short


Is there a tyre somewhere
Is there a spare tire available


That might take me a spare
That could replace me if necessary


Is there a bank in town
Is there a financial institution nearby


That might cash me a pound
That could exchange money for me


Is there a place you know
Do you have any knowledge of a location


Where I can open the door
Where I can begin anew


Oh I remember our first anniverary
I recall the day we first celebrated being together


It was one of those occasions where believe you me
It was a situation where you had to trust me


I would rather been held ransom at the point of a gun
I would have preferred being kidnapped at gunpoint


Then to suffer indignation for something I hadn't done
Instead of being unjustly accused of wrongdoing




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND O'SULLIVAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Eric-gc3gh

Lyrics

No matter how I try
I just can't say goodbye
No matter what you say-hey
Looks like I'm here to stay

No matter where I go
I don't know if you know
But everywhere we been
I'm kept in quarantine

It's easy to see why
She's almost six foot five
I'm only five feet two
Is there a tyre somewhere
That may take me as a spare?
Is there a bank in town
That might cash me as a pound?
Is there a place you know
Where I can open the door?
Oh-oh

It's easy to see why
She's almost six foot five
I'm only five feet two
Is there a tyre somwhere
That may take me as a spare?
Is there a bank in town
That might cash me as a pound?
Is there a place you know
Where I can open the door?
Oh-oh
I remember our first anniversary
It was one of those occasions where
Believe you me -
I would rather have been held ransom at the point of a gun
Than to suffer indignation for something I hadn't done

No matter how I try
I just can't say goodbye
No matter what you say-hey
Looks like I'm here to stay-hey
Looks like I'm here to stay

Doo-doo doo-di-doo doo



All comments from YouTube:

@ashleynunes9662

10th March 2024 - I visited here today because I have just heard "Alone Again (Naturally)" after many years, I thought I would go back through Gilbert's 70's repertoire, I was 6 to 10 years old at Gilbert's height of fame and now remember hearing this song over 54 years ago. Thank you Gilbert O'Sullivan your dulcet tones were a joy to hear, even as a child. I will be 60 this year. What a golden age for great music.

@tombrophy586

The guy was born to sing and play the piano. A much MUCH underestimated musical genius.🤔

@NerdGirlUK

Why is this man not a Sir? Fantastic body of work.

@colinmennie6447

One of the first five 45’s I ever bought . This man was genius . His songwriting skill were absolutely brilliant. He wrote about everyday life as it was for the working class and I think that was one reason English and Irish people associated with him . It was simple,melodic, poignant sometimes sad and funny . Just like life . He was so good he even had top 10 hits in America . A very tough task back in the early 70’s . He got me through some very tough times of my own back then . A true artist . Thank you 🙏🏻 ❣️

@ivornestegg1524

It's uncanny - this collection of songs is exactly my taste in music ! Obviously good taste ...

@trevorcorcoran7893

Going to see him in three weeks can’t wait

@edpaul1434

This song is a real delight. I hadn't heard it again till its 50th anniversary period. It sounds just as fresh as in December 1971.

@ldive

I love the way old people phrase their words. Gonna start using "a real delight" from now on.

@edpaul1434

Yes, I'm showing my age but I'd never used "a real delight" before. It was probably old-fashioned even in the '70s. You could search online for "1970s slang" (I didn't use any).

@ldive

@@edpaul1434 Aw, I always imagined that people from the 70s would speak like the people in The Truman Show. Also, I'd be proud to be your age. 70s is a much better time, for most of us Gen-Z things look bleak from here hence why I am listening to Gilbert O'Sullivan. :p

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