Pete Yorn (b. July 27, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist… Read Full Bio ↴Pete Yorn (b. July 27, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Montville, New Jersey, United States.

Yorn started as a drummer who also played guitar. In 1990, he was drumming for his band in a high school talent contest when someone suggested he sing the Replacements song "Talent Show." That went over so well, a competing band asked him to sing Neil Young’s "Rockin' In the Free World" with them.

He was first recognized when the Farrelly brothers picked "Strange Condition" for their film Me, Myself & Irene.

He has gained increasing popularity following the use of his song "Just Another" on popular WB television show Dawson's Creek.

Another of his songs, Murray was used in the credits of the film Igby Goes Down

The song "Undercover" was used in the first Spiderman movie and appears on the soundtrack.

The song "Lose You" was used in the closing of an episode of House on Fox.

Can't Stop You
Pete Yorn Lyrics

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Will you ever
Imagine it
Could you let us in
Imagine it

Imagine it
Can't stop you
From hurting yourself

It's not you who's driving us all away
Can't stop you from losing it all
Can't stop you
(Try again)
Can't stop you

Will you ever grow out of it
Will you ever lose control
(Imagine it)

Can't stop you
From hurting yourself
It's not you who's driving us all away
Can't stop you from losing it all
Can't stop you
(Try again)
Can't stop you

Oh I was wrong (Always something off)
Knowing things won't change (Always something off)
Imagine it
Can't stop you
From hurting yourself
It's not you who's driving us all away
Can't stop you from losing it all
Can't stop you

(Try again)
Can't stop you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pete Yorn's "Can't Stop You" convey a sense of frustration and concern for someone who appears to be self-destructive. The opening lines, "Will you ever imagine it / Could you let us in / Imagine it," suggest a plea for this person to try to understand the impact of their actions and allow others to help them.

The repetition of the phrase "Imagine it" highlights the singer's desire for the individual to empathize with the consequences of their self-destructive behavior. The lines "Can't stop you / From hurting yourself / It's not you who's driving us all away" imply that the person's actions are not only hurting themselves but also pushing others away.

The repetition of "Can't stop you" emphasizes the singer's powerlessness to prevent this person from continuing down a destructive path. Despite their efforts to intervene or offer support, they are unable to halt the individual's self-destruction. The phrase "Try again" suggests that the singer has attempted to help before but has not been successful in stopping the person's harmful actions.

The lines "Oh I was wrong / Knowing things won't change" reveal the singer's own disappointment and resignation. They admit that they were mistaken in their belief that things would improve or that the person would change their behavior. It conveys a sense of frustration and helplessness.

Overall, the lyrics of "Can't Stop You" express a mix of concern, frustration, and a sense of defeat in trying to help someone who seems determined to self-destruct. The repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the singer's feelings of powerlessness and the futile nature of their attempts to intervene. It is a poignant reflection on the complexities of relationships and the limitations of one's influence on another person's actions and choices.

Line by Line Meaning

Will you ever
Is there a possibility that you will eventually

Imagine it
Visualize or envision the situation

Could you let us in
Would you allow us to understand or be a part of it

Imagine it
Visualize or envision the situation