If Only You
Little John Lyrics


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If I loved you
Time and again
I would try to say
All I'd want you to know
If I loved you
Words wouldn't come
In an easy way
Round in circles I'd go

Longing to tell you
But afraid and shy
Id let my golden chances
Pass me by

Soon you'd leave me,
Off you would go
In the mist of day,
Never never to know




How I loved you
If I loved you.

Overall Meaning

The song "If I Loved You" by Little John is a poignant ballad about unrequited love. The lyrics speak of the singer's inability to express his love to the object of his affection, despite his intense desire to do so. The first verse sets the tone by establishing that if the singer truly loved the person, he would make every effort to express his feelings. However, the second verse reveals that this is easier said than done, as the singer struggles to find the right words and ends up going around in circles. He is filled with longing and regret as he watches opportunities to declare his love slip away.


The chorus is particularly powerful, as it highlights the tragic consequences of the singer's reticence: "Soon you'd leave me, off you would go, in the mist of day, never never to know how I loved you, if I loved you." The use of repetition and the haunting melody combine to create a sense of melancholy and bittersweet nostalgia. The final line, "if I loved you," implies that the singer may not even be sure of his own feelings, or that his love is doomed to remain unrequited.


Overall, "If I Loved You" is a poignant and timeless exploration of the human heart, its desires, and its limitations.


Line by Line Meaning

If I loved you
If my heart belonged to you


Time and again
Over and over


I would try to say
I would attempt to express


All I'd want you to know
Everything I desire for you to understand


If I loved you
If my love for you was pure


Words wouldn't come
I'd struggle to articulate


In an easy way
It wouldn't flow naturally


Round in circles I'd go
I'd be trapped in a cycle of confusion


Longing to tell you
Aching to reveal my feelings


But afraid and shy
But crippled by fear and timidity


Id let my golden chances
I would allow my opportunities


Pass me by
To slip away


Soon you'd leave me,
You would depart shortly


Off you would go
You would depart


In the mist of day,
During the daylight hours


Never never to know
Without ever comprehending


How I loved you
The depth of my affection for you


If I loved you.
If only I loved you.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar II Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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