Desiree
Nail David Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's killin' me to write the word "goodbye"
I've wadded it up and tossed it a thousand times
We both know the reason
There ain't nothin' to explain
But I know that my leavin'
Will spare us both the pain

(Desiree), I can't hold you any longer
(Desiree), You love his money more than me
Now the taxi's at the gate
I guess all that's left to say
Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page
"I love you Desiree"

It'd be easier to leave if I were mad
But it's hard to lose the best you'll ever have
And to write this note to you
Was the hardest thing to do
But not as hard as bein' a poor boy
Who can't afford a girl like you

(Desiree), I can't hold you any longer
(Desiree), You love his money more than me
Now the taxi's at the gate
I guess all that's left to say
Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page
"I love you Desiree"

(Desiree), I can't hold you any longer
(Desiree), You love his money more than me
Now the taxi's at the gate
I guess all that's left to say
Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page
"I love you Desiree"

God, I love you, Desiree
I just can't take it anymore
(I won't be around for your goodbye)
(I won't be around for your goodbye)
Love his money more than me
(I won't be around for your goodbye)
Love his money more than me
(I won't be around for your goodbye)
Oh, you love his money and you love it more than me
(I won't be around for your goodbye)

Yeah, I was just a fool who couldn't see




(I won't be around for your goodbye)
Yeah, you love his money and you love it more than me

Overall Meaning

The song "Desiree" by Neil Diamond is a heartbreaking ballad about a man who is leaving his love, Desiree, because she loves money more than she loves him. The lyrics depict the struggle of a man who is deeply in love and is torn between his feelings and the reality of his situation. The singer knows that his leaving will spare them both from any further pain, but it is killing him to write the word "goodbye". The song tells a story of a relationship that has come to an end due to the woman's materialism, which is something that the man cannot provide for her.


The chorus of the song ("Desiree, I can't hold you any longer. Desiree, you love his money more than me") is a repetition of the central theme of the song. The man acknowledges that he cannot hold on to her any longer and she loves material possessions more than him. He is saying goodbye to the woman he loves and acknowledges that it is easier for him to leave if he were angry. However, he is not, as he knows that Desiree was the best he will ever have. The song is infused with melancholy, as the songwriter conveys his sadness through emotive lyrics, haunting melody, and slow tempo.


Line by Line Meaning

It's killin' me to write the word "goodbye"
Expressing the difficulty and pain of having to write the word "goodbye".


I've wadded it up and tossed it a thousand times
Indicating the struggle of letting go, as well as the attempt to hide from the truth.


We both know the reason
Recognizing that both parties are aware of the cause of their separation.


There ain't nothin' to explain
Acknowledging that words won't change anything in their situation.


But I know that my leavin', Will spare us both the pain
Acknowledging the positive outcome of leaving, even though it's difficult.


(Desiree), I can't hold you any longer
Directly addressing Desiree and expressing the difficulty of holding on to her.


(Desiree), You love his money more than me
Blaming Desiree's love of money for their separation.


Now the taxi's at the gate, I guess all that's left to say, Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page, "I love you Desiree"
Describing the finality of the departure and expressing the remaining feelings of love in writing.


It'd be easier to leave if I were mad
Recognizing that anger would make it easier to leave.


But it's hard to lose the best you'll ever have
Expressing the pain of losing someone special and unique.


And to write this note to you, Was the hardest thing to do, But not as hard as bein' a poor boy, Who can't afford a girl like you
Acknowledging the difficulty of writing the note, but explaining that it's better than being a poor boy who can't afford to be with Desiree.


God, I love you, Desiree, I just can't take it anymore
Expressing the depth of love for Desiree while recognizing that it's not enough to continue the relationship.


(I won't be around for your goodbye), Love his money more than me
Repeating the sentiment that Desiree's love of money is the cause of their separation.


(I won't be around for your goodbye), Oh, you love his money and you love it more than me
Further emphasizing the idea that Desiree loves her partner's money more than the singer.


Yeah, I was just a fool who couldn't see
Admitting that the singer was naive and unaware of Desiree's true intentions.


(I won't be around for your goodbye), Yeah, you love his money and you love it more than me
Repeating again the fact that Desiree's love for money is the reason the love affair has come to an end.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: VERNON WAYNE RUST, KEITH URBAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions