In the 1990s Barrowman appeared on the BBC children's Saturday morning variety show 'Live & Kicking', as host of the 'Electric Circus' segment, reporting on technology news. He then moved on to 'The Movie Game', a children's television game show. In the late 1990s he was one of the regular presenters on Five's afternoon show 'Five's Company'. (Wikipedia)
He is probably most famous for playing the role of Captain Jack Harkness on the hit BBC series 'Doctor Who,' as well as in its spin-off 'Torchwood.'
John has an extensive musical theatre resume, having appeared in 'Anything Goes', 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Phantom of the Opera', 'Sunset Boulevard', and 'Miss Saigon', among many other West End Shows. He has also appeared on Broadway in 'Sunset Boulevard' (his broadway debut) and the Stephen Sondheim revue 'Putting It Together.'
He's also known for being a judge on shows like 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria' (both the UK and Canadian versions), 'I'd Do Anything' and 'Any Dream Will Do.' he will also be hosting a new BBC talent show in 2009 called, 'Tonight's the Night.'
He has recorded three pop albums for Sony: 'Another Side' (2007), 'Music Music Music' (2008) and 'John Barrowman' (2010).
If I Can't Love Her
John Barrowman Lyrics
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Of anything that even hints at kindness.
And from my tortured shape, no comfort, no escape.
I see, but deep within is utter blindness.
Hopeless as my dream dies, as the time flies, love a lost illusion.
Helpless, unforgiven, cold and driven to this sad conclusion.
No beauty could move me, no goodness improve me.
No passion could reach me, no lesson could teach me
How I could have loved her and make her love me, too.
If I can't love her, then who?
Long ago I should have seen all the things I could have been.
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward!
No pain could be deeper, no life could be cheaper.
No point anymore, if I can't love her!
No spirit could win me, no hope left within me,
Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free!
But it's not to be.
If I can't love her, let the world be done with me.
The lyrics of John Barrowman's song "If I Can't Love Her" convey a sense of hopelessness and despair in its protagonist. The opening lines of the song portray the character as twisted, devoid of kindness or any redeeming qualities. The lyrics suggest that the character is trapped in his tortured shape, with no escape or comfort. While he may see, he is blinded by his own inward despair.
The song's chorus suggests that the character's inability to love this particular woman has rendered his existence purposeless. His life is devoid of beauty, passion, and hope. He feels deeply inadequate and unworthy, unable to comprehend why he has failed to love this woman who could have otherwise made him complete. The lyrics are incredibly poignant and convey a deep sense of sadness and loneliness.
The final lines of the song are particularly heart-wrenching. The character is so distraught that he is willing to let go of his life if he can't love this woman. He has reached the ultimate conclusion that life without love is not worth living. The song is a beautiful portrayal of the power of love and how it can drive us to desperation and despair when we are unable to attain it.
Line by Line Meaning
And in my twisted face, there's not the slightest trace
There's no hint of kindness in my face that's twisted in misery.
Of anything that even hints at kindness.
My face is devoid of any expressions that could suggest any kindness.
And from my tortured shape, no comfort, no escape.
I'm in a state of tremendous pain and there's no solace or escape.
I see, but deep within is utter blindness.
I'm blinded by my own pain and hence cannot see beyond it.
Hopeless as my dream dies, as the time flies, love a lost illusion.
My dreams are shattered, time flies and love seems like an illusion, with no hope for it.
Helpless, unforgiven, cold and driven to this sad conclusion.
I'm helpless, unforgiven, cold and hence driven to this sad conclusion.
No beauty could move me, no goodness improve me.
I'm beyond the point where any beauty or goodness could make any difference to me.
No power on earth, if I can't love her.
Nothing on this earth has any effect on me if I can't love her.
No passion could reach me, no lesson could teach me
No amount of passion or any lessons could teach me how to love her and make her fall in love with me.
How I could have loved her and make her love me, too.
I wish I knew how I could've made her love me after I fell in love with her.
If I can't love her, then who?
If I can't love her, then I'll never be able to love anyone else.
Long ago I should have seen all the things I could have been.
I should've realized long ago that I could've been a better version of myself.
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward!
I moved on carelessly and without any forethought for my actions.
No pain could be deeper, no life could be cheaper.
The depths of my pain go beyond any physical pain and my life has lost all meaning.
No point anymore, if I can't love her!
There's no point in living anymore if I can't love her.
No spirit could win me, no hope left within me,
I'm beyond the point where any spirit or hope could motivate me.
Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free!
I had hoped that loving her would set me free from my misery.
But it's not to be.
But that's not going to happen.
If I can't love her, let the world be done with me.
If I can't love her, then I don't see any reason to continue living in this world.
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.