How Could You?
Lisa Stansfield Lyrics


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I get up and look outside
Not a cloud up in the sky
The flowers are just coming into bloom
All the lovers walk together hand in hand
But paradise is nothing without you

I didn't move your coffee cup
The cigarettes that you gave up
All memories of things we used to do
Now I don't even bother with my make-up
I just want to turn around and wake up with you

To hold on forever
A lifetime you said
So you can see it came as a surprise
After all the promises you made
Just tell me one thing

How could you baby
How could you baby
Tell me right now
Tell me why you changed your mind
How could you baby
How could you baby
Take hold of my world
Turn it upside down then say goodbye

I try to cheer myself a while
But can't remember how to smile
If only I could make some sense of this
What I wouldn't say or do to hold you
I'd give everything I have to give you one more kiss

To hold on forever
A lifetime you said
So you can see it came as a surprise
After all the promises you made
Just tell me one thing

How could you baby
How could you baby
Tell me right now
Tell me why you changed your mind
How could you baby
How could you baby




Take hold of my world
Turn it upside down then say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The song "How Could You?" by Lisa Stansfield is a heartbreak song that tells the story of a woman who is trying to make sense of her lover's sudden departure. The first verse establishes a beautiful day outside, but the absence of the lover takes all the joy out of it. The second verse lists the things that the former couple used to do together, and the singer misses them desperately. The chorus repeats the question "How could you baby?" emphasizing the shock, pain, and confusion that the singer feels. The bridge "To hold on forever, A lifetime you said, So you can see it came as a surprise, After all the promises you made" shows that the singer was committed to the relationship, and the lover made promises, which makes the abandonment hurtful.


The song creates a vivid image of the singer's misery and longing for an explanation. It is a relatable song, and the lyrics echo the feelings of anyone who has been unwillingly abandoned by someone they love. Lisa Stansfield's soulful delivery makes the pain and heartbreak palpable. The song ends posed with the question, "How could you baby?" leaving the listener as unsure and in the dark as the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

I get up and look outside
I wake up and observe the weather


Not a cloud up in the sky
There are no clouds in the sky


The flowers are just coming into bloom
The flowers are beginning to bloom


All the lovers walk together hand in hand
Couples are walking together holding hands


But paradise is nothing without you
Life is not perfect without you


I didn't move your coffee cup
I did not touch your coffee cup


The cigarettes that you gave up
The cigarettes you stopped smoking


All memories of things we used to do
All the things we used to do together are now memories


Now I don't even bother with my make-up
I am not even interested to apply make-up


I just want to turn around and wake up with you
I just want to wake up beside you


To hold on forever
To be together forever


A lifetime you said
You promised a lifetime together


So you can see it came as a surprise
It was unexpected for you to leave


After all the promises you made
You made several promises


Just tell me one thing
Please answer one question


How could you baby
How could you leave me


Tell me right now
Please give me an immediate answer


Tell me why you changed your mind
Why did you suddenly change your decision


Take hold of my world
You were important in my life


Turn it upside down then say goodbye
But you left me and now everything is chaotic


I try to cheer myself a while
I tried to make myself happy


But can't remember how to smile
But I can't find joy in my life anymore


If only I could make some sense of this
If only I could understand why you left


What I wouldn't say or do to hold you
I would do anything to have you back


I'd give everything I have to give you one more kiss
I would give all my possessions to kiss you one more time




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN OWEN DEVANEY, LISA JANE STANSFIELD, RICHARD DARBYSHIRE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

pierre wooe-chung

After 28 years, I still cherish this song from a beautiful and gorgeous lady!!!

yvonne ROBINSON

still love this song😊

Eddie Manicord

Lisa stanfield the Best

Jorge Poblete

Amor

Jorge Poblete

Solo..amor....mi...amor...mi..lisa..👰👀👰👀💎⚡⚡⚡🌨️

Yerson Torres Castillo

It's hurt...!

Jorge Poblete

Tu......................y......................yo💚💙

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