I Can
Ray Charles Lyrics


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(I can't stop loving you)
I've made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday
(Dreams of yesterday)
Those happy hours that we once knew
Tho' long ago, they still make me blue
They say that time heals a broken heart
But time has stood still since we've been apart

(I can't stop loving you)
I've made up my mind
To live in memories of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday

(Those happy hours)
Those happy hours
(That we once knew)
That we once knew
(Tho' long ago)
Tho' long ago
(Still make me blue)
Still make me blue
(They say that time)
They say that time
(Heals a broken heart)
Heals a broken heart
(But time has stood still)
Time has stood still
(Since we've been apart)
Since we've been apart

(I can't stop loving you)
I said I made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times

(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say




So I'll just live my life of dreams of yesterday
(Of yesterday)

Overall Meaning

In Ray Charles's song "I Can't Stop Loving You Baby," the singer is grappling with the fact that they cannot stop loving a person who is no longer with them. The first two lines of the lyrics "I've made up my mind to live in memory of the lonesome times, It's useless to say so I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday" demonstrate the singer's acceptance of their fate in still loving someone despite their absence. The next lines "Those happy hours that we once knew, Tho' long ago, they still make me blue," depict memories of past happiness with their significant other, which only exacerbate the singer's pain in their current state of loneliness.


The subsequent lines challenge the idea that time heals all wounds as the singer admits that time has not moved on since their significant other left. The repetition of "I can't stop loving you" helps reinforce the singer's struggle of coming to terms with their unending love for someone no longer present in their life. The lyrics "It's useless to say, So I'll just live my life of dreams of yesterday" reiterate that the singer has come to terms with their situation and has chosen to live their life within their memories of the past.


Line by Line Meaning

(I can't stop loving you)
Despite my best efforts, I cannot help but continue to love you.


I've made up my mind
I have made a clear decision.


To live in memory of the lonesome times
I have chosen to continue living in the sadness and loneliness that comes with the memories of our past experiences together.


(I can't stop wanting you)
I cannot control my desire for you.


It's useless to say
There is no point in trying to deny or fight my feelings for you.


So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday
I will spend my life lost in memories of the past, unable to move on from my love for you.


(Those happy hours)
I am referring to a specific time in our relationship.


(That we once knew)
A time in our past when we were happy and in love.


(Tho' long ago)
Though it has been a long time since we were together.


(Still make me blue)
I am still filled with sadness when I think of those happy times we once had.


(They say that time)
There is a common belief that with time, emotional pain will heal.


(Heals a broken heart)
This means that emotional pain associated with lost love will lessen over time.


(But time has stood still)
For me, time has not eased the pain of losing you.


(Since we've been apart)
From the moment you left, nothing has changed for me emotionally.


(Of yesterday)
Again, I am speaking of a past time when we were together in love.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Don Gibson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@thiagochawps

LYRICS

(I can't stop loving you)
I've made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)

It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday
(Dreams of yesterday)
Those happy hours that we once knew

Tho' long ago, they still make me blue
They say that time heals a broken heart
But time has stood still since we've been apart

(I can't stop loving you)
I've made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)

It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday
(Those happy hours)
Those happy hours
(That we once knew)
That we once knew

(Tho' long ago)
Tho' long ago
(Still make me blue)
Still ma-a-a-ake me blue

(They say that time)
They say that time
(Heals a broken heart)
Heals a broken heart
(But time has stood still)
Time has stood still
(Since we've been apart)
Since we've been apart

(I can't stop loving you)
I said I made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life of dreams of yesterday
(Of yesterday)



All comments from YouTube:

@maryhall9509

Before my husband died I asked him to send me signs that he was in heaven. I was driving to work one day and my truck smelled like I had brewed coffee in it. I don't drink coffee, but he did. And then this song came on the radio. He loved Ray Charles. I bawled my eye's out all the way to work.

@philipnorris6542

Nice one, Mary.

@brianrowe236

God, that hit me.

@maryking5747

Oh darling, life is hard . This is my song for my mum, I was her fourth baby , times where rough with dad but she always sang this with a smile. Aren’t mums amazing.

@dahotduud

Tears...

@shutup3204

Aww that's so sweet

155 More Replies...

@stanleybryan982

When you appreciate the finer things in life, YOU APPRECIATE RAY CHARLES!!!

@MaddHatter077

Big Facts 👌

@queenlady1180

Yep

@heythere6107

well said stanley

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