I'm Not What You Need
Joe Purdy Lyrics


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Just want something beautiful, I want to look in your eyes
I want to listen to you sing my favorite song and cry
Want to reach into your oceans, want to calm your sea when it storms
I want to let you take hold of this sinking ship and lead me home

[Chorus]
But I'm not what you need
I've known you so much stronger
But you are such a pleasant fiction to me
So I guess that I'll dream of you a little longer

I want to pack up and move with you, oh and never look behind
I want to take your hand as we chase down the skyline
I want to tell you my stories, wake you up in the middle of the night
I want you to tell me when I'm wrong, and I just want you to smile at me when I'm right

[Chorus]

Don't want to take the light from your eyes
It would be nice if I could hold you tight
While I lay in the sand
You could love what's left of this lonely excuse of a man






[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Not What You Need" by Joe Purdy is a melancholic reflection on a relationship where one partner feels inadequate and undeserving of the other's love. The singer expresses his desire for something beautiful and deep, such as looking into his partner's eyes, listening to her sing, and reaching into her emotions to calm her storms. He longs for a connection that makes him feel alive and whole, but he also knows that he cannot provide the same level of strength and stability that his partner needs. He describes himself as a sinking ship, wishing for his partner to hold him and lead him home, while acknowledging that he is not what she needs.


The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm not what you need," emphasizing the singer's sense of inferiority and powerlessness in the relationship. He has always known his partner to be a much stronger person than he is, and he sees himself as a pleasant fiction or a dream that will eventually fade away. Despite this, he still wants to hold on to his feelings for her and dream of her a little longer.


Towards the end of the song, the singer tells his partner that he doesn't want to take the light from her eyes and wishes to hold her tight. He also recognizes that he is a lonely excuse of a man, but hopes that his partner will still find something to love in him.


Overall, the lyrics of "I'm Not What You Need" are poignant and heartfelt, embodying the vulnerability and insecurity that often accompany love and relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Just want something beautiful, I want to look in your eyes
I desire to have something aesthetically pleasing, and to make eye contact with you.


I want to listen to you sing my favorite song and cry
I yearn to hear you sing a song that holds sentimental value to me, and for it to evoke an emotional reaction.


Want to reach into your oceans, want to calm your sea when it storms
I aspire to delve into your deep emotions, and be there to soothe and comfort you when you feel overwhelmed.


I want to let you take hold of this sinking ship and lead me home
I am willing to let you take control and guide me towards a safe and secure destination.


But I'm not what you need I've known you so much stronger But you are such a pleasant fiction to me So I guess that I'll dream of you a little longer
I acknowledge that I am not the ideal partner for you, as I know you deserve someone better. However, I still hold onto the fantasy of being with you.


I want to pack up and move with you, oh and never look behind
I desire to leave my past behind and embark on a new journey with you.


I want to take your hand as we chase down the skyline
I crave to hold your hand and pursue our dreams together, against the backdrop of the beautiful horizon.


I want to tell you my stories, wake you up in the middle of the night
I want to share my personal experiences with you, and be the person you turn to even in the late hours of the night.


I want you to tell me when I'm wrong, and I just want you to smile at me when I'm right
I wish for you to correct me when I am mistaken, and to appreciate me when I am correct.


Don't want to take the light from your eyes
I do not want to dull or diminish the brightness in your eyes.


It would be nice if I could hold you tight
I would like the opportunity to embrace you tightly.


While I lay in the sand You could love what's left of this lonely excuse of a man
As I lay here in the sand, I hope that you can accept the remaining broken pieces of my flawed and lonely self.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOE PURDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Kelly Rae Smith

I love how music has that ability to connect you to feelings you couldn't really describe by yourself.

Reese McIntosh

Love this song!!! Joe has a very unique as well as soothing voice. I could listen for hours!

Justin Wheeler

He's such an inspiration to me and should be to anyone who loves good music and meaningful lyrics

Zoe Toliopoulos

i love joe purdy! such beautiful music!

Carrie Lynn Grayson

JP is simply the best! Truly an inspiration to me as a person and as a musician! A rare and beautiful soul floats these instantly visceral admissions on stunningly simple yet complex guitar melodies....truly a gift! Thanks JP, for the inspiration and Sergio for posting ...

St. Shamus McPureBlood

its too bad that not many people know of this guy... he is honestly really good

victoria thomas

I hope he knows how much he gives people in both feeling and defining those feelings - he is a sensational musician, I don't know what I'd do without him!!!

John Comeau

How can such a beautiful song have so few views?

Bridgette Burnett

His music is my new favorite thing to sleep to. So calming and peaceful.

VenzBenz

I really like that song!

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