Don't You
Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel Lyrics

In the poignant lyrics of "Don't You" by Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, the singer openly expresses their deep sense of loss and emptiness following the departure of a significant other. The repetitive refrain of not having plans, hopes, dreams, or anything since not having the person they are addressing highlights the all-consuming impact of their absence on the singer's life. This repeated lack of possessions and emotional fulfillment emphasizes the profound void left behind by the departed individual, with the repetition underscoring the intensity of the singer's feelings of emptiness and desolation.

The stark admission of not having fond desires, happy hours, or even happiness without their loved one further encapsulates the profound sense of loss that the singer is grappling with. The absence of joy and contentment in the singer's life is poignantly juxtaposed with the memory of a time when they did experience these emotions, suggesting that their emotional landscape has been irrevocably altered by the departure of their significant other. The stark contrast between past happiness and present misery serves to heighten the emotional impact of the lyrics and conveys the enduring pain and anguish experienced by the singer in the wake of the breakup.

The singer's admission that they do not have love to share, nor someone who cares, further underscores the isolation and loneliness that have come to define their existence in the absence of their beloved. The absence of reciprocal love and care exacerbates the singer's sense of emotional deprivation and underscores the void created by the absence of their significant other. The repetition of the refrain "Since I don't have you" serves as a poignant reminder of the central source of the singer's anguish and illustrates the inextricable link between their emotional well-being and the presence of the person they have lost.

The repetition of the final lines, culminating in the three-fold repetition of "You," serves as a haunting and poignant coda to the singer's lament, underscoring the singular focus of their longing and sorrow. By emphasizing the absence of the beloved individual and the pervasive impact of their departure on every aspect of the singer's life, the lyrics of "Don't You" convey a profound sense of yearning, emptiness, and grief that resonates with anyone who has experienced the loss of love.