Richie quit the band in 1981 for a solo career. He released his self-titled debut in 1982. The album hit No. 3 on the charts and sold over 4 million copies. His follow up album, Can't Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies and won the Grammy for Album of the Year in '84. His third album, '86's Dancing on the Ceiling spawned such hits as Say You, Say Me, Dancing on the Ceiling, and Se La, but would be the end of his commercial success.
His 90's albums such as Back to Front, Louder Than Words, and Time all failed to achieve the previous decade's commercial success. Some of his recent work, such as the album Renaissance, has returned to his older style, hoping to achieve more success.
Can't Get Over You
Lionel Richie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't mean to make a fool of myself over you
I only wanted just to love you
But now that were through I can't get over you.
I didn't mean to write a love song
I didn't mean to share these feeling I have in my heart
I told myself I could forget you
And as I walk down through the halls
I see your pictures hanging on the walls, those memories
For all the thing that we've been through
My heart can still feel me and you
Sweet memories.
After the pain of losing you
After the heartache, I know it's true
Cause when I saw you, I still can say,
I'm never gonna love anybody else the way I love you today.
I guess I need to say I'm sorry
I didn't mean to make a fool of myself over you
I only want just to love you
But now that were through I can't get over you.
I can't get over you
I can't get.... over you
Noooo,
No, nooo
Know my heart is breaking baby
Can't get you out of my mind
Tried so hard to love you
Ooooh baby
Now you gone, now you gone, you gone away
Got my heart in my hand
You and me baby
We got a thing going on
Ooooh baby
The lyrics of Lionel Richie's song "Can't Get Over You" depict a person who is struggling to move on from a past relationship that did not work out. The song is an apology to the person the singer was in a relationship with, admitting that he did not mean to make a fool of himself and that he only wanted to love that person. However, now that the relationship is over, he cannot get over the person and the memories that they shared together. The singer acknowledges that he wrote a love song even though he did not intend to share his feelings publicly. The song portrays how the memories of that past love linger, and it is difficult for the singer to forget and move past those feelings.
Despite the heartache and pain of losing the person he loved, the singer still longs for that person and admits that he will never love anyone else in the way that he loved them. The chorus of the song repeats the sentiment of not being able to move on and get over the person. The lyrics also suggest that the person is always on the singer's mind, and their memories are still fresh in his heart, causing him to feel a pain that he cannot escape.
Overall, "Can't Get Over You" is a moving song that speaks to anyone who has struggled to move on from a past love. The lyrics depict the emotions that come with a failed relationship and the desire to hold on to the memories and feelings that were shared in that relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I need to say I'm sorry
I regret my actions and want to apologize
I didn't mean to make a fool of myself over you
I didn't intend to act foolishly when it came to you
I only wanted just to love you
All I ever desired was to love you
But now that were through I can't get over you.
Although our relationship has ended, I'm still emotionally attached to you and can't move on
I didn't mean to write a love song
I never planned on expressing my love through a song
I didn't mean to share these feeling I have in my heart
I didn't intend to reveal my true emotions or thoughts about you
I told myself I could forget you
I convinced myself that I had the ability to erase you from my heart and mind
Now I know that's not true, I can't get over you.
I've come to realize that forgetting you is impossible; I'm still deeply in love with you
And as I walk down through the halls
As I stroll through the corridors
I see your pictures hanging on the walls, those memories
I catch sight of the photos of you that serve as a reminder of our past
For all the thing that we've been through
For everything we experienced together
My heart can still feel me and you
My heart continues to ache for what we had
Sweet memories.
Recollections of happier times with you
After the pain of losing you
Following the agony of your departure
After the heartache, I know it's true
Despite the heartbreak, I recognize the accuracy of my feelings
Cause when I saw you, I still can say,
Because when I caught sight of you, I could still confidently declare
I'm never gonna love anybody else the way I love you today.
I won't ever feel the same level of deep love for anyone else as I do for you at this moment
I can't get over you
I'm emotionally stuck on you
I can't get.... over you
I'm unable to let go and move forward
Noooo,
Expressing sadness and longing
No, nooo
Expressing denial and disbelief
Know my heart is breaking baby
My heart is shattered because of our separation
Can't get you out of my mind
I'm constantly thinking about you
Tried so hard to love you
I made a concentrated effort to love and cherish you
Ooooh baby
Addressing their former lover with affection
Now you gone, now you gone, you gone away
You are no longer here with me, you have left completely and permanently
Got my heart in my hand
My heart is heavy with sadness and grief
You and me baby
Affirmation of their past relationship in a loving manner
We got a thing going on
Our relationship was special and significant
Ooooh baby
Addressing their former lover with affection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fikile Hlophe
Love this song. You never go wrong with Lionel Ritchie 😍
James Collins
Easily my favourite Lionel Richie song. Just beautiful! This whole CD is amazing!
Nela Fabiano
Linda demais!!meu gnde amor que esta com Deus agora,me ofereceu essa linda canção como prova de seu amor por mim!!qntas saudades 😢❤ 4:29
eskimo air
This song just tugs at my heartstrings. His music talks to the heart. Such a great song writer as well. my favourite singer of all time.
Beverly Rousseau
I can't get Over you. 💔
Delroy Brown
One of the world's best song writer and performer. His songs as meanings...we love you Lionel Ritchie!!!
Patrick Boyela
It gives me chills
TwinCities16
Not only can Lionel Richie sing, but he is a great songwriter!! This is a very sentimental song! We can all relate to this.
Sam VB
This track has awaken my love for radio back then...(summer of '96) feel-good sound down the memory lane. Take me back!
Josie Adhis
Incredible love song! Lionel richie never disappoints!