If I Wanted To
Melissa Etheridge : Unplugged and More Lyrics


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Just tell me, tell me how to keep this
And I’ll be alright
Just tell me, tell me what’s the secret
And I’ll hold it tight
Because I don’t want to spend another moment
Without you again
Just tell me, tell me how to keep this
So it never ends

If I were God, just for a day
I would be guilty
Of letting the whole world slip away
I wouldn’t change,
No, I wouldn’t change a thing
I'd leave the mistakes
I'll take the blame
And I'll use the chance
To keep you just the same
If I were, if I were God just for a day

Don't tell me, tell me how it changes
It's you I can't replace
Don't tell me, tell me that we're hopeless
I can learn from my mistakes




Because I don't want to spend
Another moment without you again

Overall Meaning

The song "If I Wanted To" by Melissa Etheridge is a ballad about the desire to keep a relationship intact forever. The lyrics express the fear of losing someone and not being able to replace them. The singer acknowledges that keeping a relationship going takes effort and asks for advice on how to make it work.


The first verse of the song shows the singer's desperation to keep the relationship alive. They are willing to do anything to keep their partner close and are asking for help to ensure that it never ends. The second verse takes a more philosophical approach, with the singer saying that if they were God, they would make the world perfect for their partner. They would take responsibility for their mistakes and try to keep their partner happy forever.


Overall, the song is a tribute to the power of love and the importance of working to make a relationship last. The lyrics are heartfelt and sincere, and they speak to anyone who has ever felt the fear of losing someone they love.


Line by Line Meaning

Just tell me, tell me how to keep this
Asking for guidance on how to maintain their relationship.


And I’ll be alright
Implying that having the solution to their relationship issues will make everything better.


Just tell me, tell me what’s the secret
Requesting information on the key to sustaining their relationship.


And I’ll hold it tight
Promising to hold onto the advice given to them.


Because I don’t want to spend another moment
Expressing a strong desire to not lose their partner again.


Without you again
Referring to a past experience of separation from their partner.


Just tell me, tell me how to keep this
Reiterating the importance of receiving guidance to maintain their relationship.


So it never ends
Desiring a long-lasting and unbreakable bond with their partner.


If I were God, just for a day
Imagining a scenario where they possess ultimate power and control.


I would be guilty
Admitting to making mistakes despite their hypothetical god-like abilities.


Of letting the whole world slip away
Acknowledging that they may have failed to prevent the deterioration of the world.


I wouldn’t change, no, I wouldn’t change a thing
Refusing to alter any past events even if given the chance.


I'll leave the mistakes
Choosing not to erase or ignore their past blunders.


I'll take the blame
Accepting responsibility for their actions.


And I'll use the chance
Utilizing the opportunity granted to them in the best way possible.


To keep you just the same
Expressing a desire to preserve their partner and their relationship.


If I were, if I were God just for a day
Repeating the initial hypothetical scenario.


Don't tell me, tell me how it changes
Preferring to focus on their relationship instead of speculating on its future.


It's you I can't replace
Stating that their partner is irreplaceable.


Don't tell me, tell me that we're hopeless
Rejecting the notion that their relationship is doomed.


I can learn from my mistakes
Believing that they can improve themselves through self-reflection.


Because I don't want to spend
Reiterating their strong desire to not lose their partner again.


Another moment without you again
Continuing to emphasize the importance of their relationship and not losing their partner again.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DANIEL OLIVER, JONATHAN TAYLOR HAWKINS, MARK ANTHONY VOLLELUNGA, SCOTT C. STEVENS, WILL HOFFMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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