If I Needed You
Kasey Chambers Lyrics
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I'd tell everyone I know
If I was free
I wouldn't be so keen to go
If I was wrong
I would take it like a man
If I was smart
If I was broken
I would probably let it be
If I was dying
I wouldn't go out quietly
If I was lost
Well my heart would feel the same
If I was honest
I would probably be ashamed
But if I were you
I would notice me
If I were you
I would wait for me
If I were you
I would easily hold me and say
It's all gonna be OK
If I was rich
I would spend it on my own
If I was dignified
I'd only smoke at home
If I was dark
I would only dress in black
If I was chosen
I would gladly give it back
It's not for you to judge
From all this kind of stuff
I'm only half of what you see
Kasey Chambers's song, If I Needed You, is a poignant and introspective piece that looks at the many different facets of a person. The lyrics express both the singer's strengths and weaknesses, their fears and limitations, and their desires and hopes. The lines "If I was good, I'd tell everyone I know" and "If I was wrong, I would take it like a man" speak to the idea of personal excellence and accountability, while "If I was broken, I would probably let it be" and "if I was dying, I wouldn't go out quietly" reveal the raw vulnerability and human fragility that we all possess.
The chorus of the song offers an interesting perspective shift, with the singer imagining what it would be like if they were the object of someone else's attention and affection. "If I were you, I would notice me" and "If I were you, I would easily hold me and say it's all gonna be OK" speak to the longing for connection and validation that we all feel. The song concludes with the poignant line "I'm only half of what you see," suggesting that there is always more to a person than what meets the eye.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was good
If I was a good person
I'd tell everyone I know
I would share my goodness with everyone around me
If I was free
If I was not tied down or restrained
I wouldn't be so keen to go
I would not be in a hurry to leave my current situation
If I was wrong
If I made a mistake or incorrect decision
I would take it like a man
I would accept responsibility for my actions like a mature person
If I was smart
If I had intelligence or common sense
I would get out while I can
I would leave a bad situation before it gets worse
If I was broken
If I was emotionally injured or damaged
I would probably let it be
I would likely not try to fix or heal myself
If I was dying
If I was close to death
I wouldn't go out quietly
I would not leave this world without making some noise or impact
If I was lost
If I was directionless or confused
Well my heart would feel the same
My emotions would remain constant regardless of my state of being lost
If I was honest
If I told the truth
I would probably be ashamed
I might feel embarrassed or guilty for being honest
But if I were you
If I were in your position
I would notice me
I would pay attention to myself
If I were you
If I were in your shoes
I would wait for me
I would be patient and wait for myself to come around
If I were you
If I were in your situation
I would easily hold me and say
I would compassionately embrace myself and say
It's all gonna be OK
Everything will work out fine in the end
If I was rich
If I had a lot of money
I would spend it on my own
I would use the money for myself rather than sharing or donating it
If I was dignified
If I had respect and honor
I'd only smoke at home
I would limit my unsavory or unprofessional habits to my own space
If I was dark
If I had a gloomy or mysterious personality
I would only dress in black
I would choose to wear only black clothing to reflect my personality
If I was chosen
If I was picked or selected for something
I would gladly give it back
I would be willing to relinquish the honor or position
It's not for you to judge
You do not have the right to criticize or assess me
From all this kind of stuff
From all of the things about me listed in this song
I'm only half of what you see
I am not defined solely by these qualities or characteristics - there is more to me than meets the eye
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KASEY CHAMBERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind