I Can't
Radiohead Lyrics

The lyrics to Radiohead's song "I Can't" convey a sense of frustration and insecurity as the singer struggles to express themselves and control their doubts. The opening line, "Please forget the words that I just blurted out," suggests that the singer has said something they regret or that doesn't accurately represent how they feel. They attribute this to a "strange and creeping doubt" that keeps "rattling my cage," indicating that they are trapped and unable to escape. Despite their efforts to overcome these feelings, they acknowledge that "there's nothing in this world will keep it down," implying that their doubts are too powerful to be silenced.

The chorus repeats the phrase "even though I might, even though I try, I can't," emphasizing the singer's feelings of helplessness and frustration. They acknowledge that "so many things keep, keep me underground" and that there are "so many words that I, that I can never find," further highlighting their struggles to express themselves and overcome their doubts. The last lines of the song, "If you give up on me now, I'll be gutted like I've never been before," suggest that the singer is relying on someone else for support and encouragement, and that they fear being abandoned or rejected.

Overall, "I Can't" conveys a sense of vulnerability and insecurity, as the singer struggles to express themselves and overcome their doubts. The repetition of the phrase "even though I might, even though I try, I can't" emphasizes their sense of powerlessness, while the reference to being "gutted" if someone gives up on them suggests the high stakes of their emotional struggles.