Can't Help Myself
Icehouse (The Flowers) Lyrics


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She comes walking down the street
That's the kind, hey,
That's the kind I want to meet
I think I'm making it up
I should be putting it down
And it's beginning to show
I get it fixed in my head
And it won't let go

Oh, I can't help myself
When I feel this way
I want to be someone else
When I get this feeling
It gets in my system
I can't put the brakes on

Now she's walking next to me
That's the place, yeah,
That's the place I want to be
I think I'm making it up
I should be putting it down
And it's beginning to show




I get it fixed in my head
And it won't let go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Icehouse (The Flowers)'s song Can't Help Myself seems to express the feeling of infatuation and being unable to control oneself when in the presence of a desired person. The first verse portrays the excitement that comes with seeing that person walking down the street, and the desire to meet them. However, the next lines suggest that the singer is unsure about whether they are making up these feelings or whether they are genuine.


As the song progresses, the singer describes how this feeling is becoming stronger and more persistent, as they try to suppress or reject it. The chorus emphasizes the fact that they cannot resist this feeling when it comes, and how it compels them to become someone else. The last verse implies that the person they desire has started walking next to them, and it is at this point that they feel the strongest urge to pursue their desires.


Overall, the song seems to explore the idea of losing control of one's emotions and desires when they encounter someone they find attractive. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the strength of their feelings and the lack of control they have over them.


Line by Line Meaning

She comes walking down the street
A woman is walking towards the singer's direction.


That's the kind, hey,
She's the type of woman that the singer is interested in.


That's the kind I want to meet
The singer desires to meet women of that type.


I think I'm making it up
The artist is unsure if his feelings are genuine or not.


I should be putting it down
The artist thinks he should be more logical about his emotions.


And it's beginning to show
The singer's lack of control over his emotions is starting to become apparent.


I get it fixed in my head
The singer is obsessing over his desires.


And it won't let go
The artist is having a hard time letting go of his desires.


Oh, I can't help myself
The artist has no control over his desires.


When I feel this way
The artist's lack of control happens when he feels a certain way.


I want to be someone else
The singer wishes to be someone who has control over his emotions.


When I get this feeling
The artist's lack of control happens when he gets a certain feeling.


It gets in my system
The feeling consumes the singer's thoughts and actions.


I can't put the brakes on
The singer can't control his actions once he starts feeling a certain way.


Now she's walking next to me
The woman the singer is interested in is now walking beside him.


That's the place, yeah,
Being beside her is the ideal situation for the artist.


That's the place I want to be
The artist wants to be beside the woman he desires.




Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies

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

@justinmorgan2126

"Can't Help Myself"

She comes walking down the street
That's the kind, hey,
That's the kind I want to meet
I think I'm making it up
I should be putting it down
and it's beginning to show
I get it fixed in my head
and it won't let go

Oh, I can't help myself
when I feel this way
I want to be someone else
When I get this feeling
it gets in my system
I can't put the brakes on

Now she's walking next to me
that's the place, yeah,
that's the place I want to be
I think I'm making it up
I should be putting it down
and it's beginning to show
I get it fixed in my head
and it won't let go



All comments from YouTube:

@johnkauppi7078

Totally 80's cool. What a great decade we Gen X's lived in ! I've never really left it.

@Him_He_Me

Man so many great songs on this album!!!!!

@Armourlego

The older I get the more I relate to this awesome song.... Icehouse are a quintessentially perfect Australian band. The echo effect of their tracks is so reminiscent of the sound of Australia. Vast & deep. Just so f@&king good.

@peterthomas6486

Mate, when I was 15-16 when this came out, it was like I discovered a new religion, it completely blew me away, bought both their first 2 singles and the album, I feel, Aussie music sort of turned a new leaf with this band.

@Scotty-P

Last night on a bus home, three different Indians yammering away on their phones. I whistle to try and drown out the one closest to me. Up at the back of the bus a fellow begins; in an even better move, playing this on his phone to do the same. It's bittersweet; to say the very least, what the sound of 'Australia' is like now.

@MegaDRjohn

its... flowers... icehouse was later

@rickydumas9994

Same band, they had to change the name during their first UK tour due to a legal challenge from Scottish band The Flowers.

@rachelled6763

I think I was 13 and the first Flowers song I heard and was instantly in love with Iva Davies. He really is a stunning frontman. Now I'm older, I am awed by the talent of the band, the musicianship, songwriting. Icehouse were one of the very best of the new wave/punk era in Oz. So glad to have grown with them. ๐Ÿฉท๐Ÿฉท

@Theire1

I grew up in Buttcrack Ohio and when i wanted this album I went to the local record store . They did not have it but ordered it for me . I could pick it up in a month.... kids have it too easy now lol

@RekimNZ

Watched this awesome rock band play at Mornington Racecourse (Feb, 2024, Red Hot Summer Tour) sounded just perfect ! - So glad I have heard this live now !

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