Can't Help Myself
Johnny Rivers Lyrics


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Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you
I can't help myself I love you and nobody else

Wanna tell in and out my life you come and go
Leaving just your picture behind
and I kissed it a thousand times
When you snap your finger or wink your eye I come a running to you
I'm tied to your apron strings and there's nothing I can do

Sugar pie honey bunch I'm weaker than a man should be
I can't help myself I'm a fool in love you see
Wanna tell you I don't love you tell you that we're through and I've tried
But every time I see your face I get all choked up inside

When I call your name girl it starts the flame burning in my heart
tearin it all apart no matter how I try my love
I cannot hide 'cause

Sugar Pie Honey Bunch you know that I'm weak for you
Can't help myself I love you and nobody else
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch do anything you ask me to
Can't help myself I want you and nobody else
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch you know that I love you




You know that I love you
Can't help myself, no I can't help myself

Overall Meaning

Johnny Rivers's song "Can’t Help Myself" is an ode to the irresistible power of love. It's a love song that relays a man's devotion and vulnerability to his lover. The song's title, "Can't Help Myself," is a direct reference to the singer's inability to control his infatuation with his beloved. He calls her "sugar pie honey bunch" and confesses his love, despite recognizing the foolishness of it all. The lyrics are forthright and candid, with no effort to mask the singer's adoration for his sweetheart.


The song's lyrics touch on the power dynamic between the two lovers. The singer declares, "I'm tied to your apron strings, and there's nothing I can do." He's acknowledging his subservience to his lover, indicating that he's unable to resist her charms. He further emphasizes his capitulation, "When you snap your finger or wink your eye, I come running to you." The song conveys the idea that his love for her is an all-consuming force that overtakes him, and he's unable to resist its pull.


The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "sugar pie honey bunch," which is a term of endearment. The lyrics suggest that the singer is devoted to his beloved, and he wants to do whatever she asks of him. Despite the hardships he endures, such as losing his lover or trying to move on from her, he always finds himself returning to her. He knows that he's "weaker than a man should be," but he cannot help himself.


Line by Line Meaning

Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you
My dearest, you are aware of my adoration for you


I can't help myself I love you and nobody else
It's beyond my control; I am in love with you and no one else


Wanna tell in and out my life you come and go
I want to express that you appear and disappear in my life frequently


Leaving just your picture behind
All you leave behind is an image of yourself


and I kissed it a thousand times
I have kissed that picture countless times


When you snap your finger or wink your eye I come a running to you
At the slightest hint from you, I come running to your side


I'm tied to your apron strings and there's nothing I can do
I am completely devoted and cannot help but obey your every command


Sugar pie honey bunch I'm weaker than a man should be
My love for you has left me vulnerable and weaker than I should be


I can't help myself I'm a fool in love you see
My love for you has made me foolish, as I cannot resist your charms


Wanna tell you I don't love you tell you that we're through and I've tried
I want to confess that I no longer love you and express that our relationship is over, I've made attempts


But every time I see your face I get all choked up inside
However, whenever I catch a glimpse of you, my emotions get the best of me


When I call your name girl it starts the flame burning in my heart
Whenever I say your name, a fiery passion is ignited in my heart


tearin it all apart no matter how I try my love
It tears me apart, even though I try to control it with all my might, my love still expands


I cannot hide 'cause
I cannot suppress it any longer since


Sugar Pie Honey Bunch you know that I'm weak for you
You are well aware that I am powerless before you


Can't help myself I love you and nobody else
I cannot contain my love for you, and you alone hold my heart


Sugar Pie Honey Bunch do anything you ask me to
My love for you is so strong that I am willing to do anything you request


Can't help myself I want you and nobody else
My heart's longing is solely for you and no one else


Sugar Pie Honey Bunch you know that I love you
I am deeply in love with you, my dearest


You know that I love you
It is not a secret that I am in love with you


Can't help myself, no I can't help myself
I am unable to resist my feelings for you, no matter how hard I try




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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