Speechless
Rupert Holmes Lyrics


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I can make a speech
When the mood comes to me, yes it's true
But oh pretty darlin'
I am speechless when it comes to you

Speechless when you reach for my hand
I am so speechless and I can't understand how you love me
But as long as you keep sayin' that you love me
There is nothin' I can say

Except I am speechless at the sound of your voice
I am so speechless and since I have no choice
I keep smilin' like a cat whose caught a bird
And just keep smilin'

If I dare to say a word, you'd find me mindless
And I don't really mind, love is blindness
And my mind is resigned to the kindness you keep pourin' on me
Can it be? Can it be? Can it be all for me?

I don't have a hope
If you don't dream of me, this is true
Cause oh pretty darlin'
I am hopeless when I dream of you

Speechless and the heart never lies
I am so speechless so I speak with my eyes
I am just smilin' 'cause I've seen [?]
Oh, are you smilin' at my face within the darkness

When I am breathless and I come up for air
It's so endless that it gives me a scare
It's so timeless that I never touch ground
Why should I? Why should I? Why should I make a sound

I can sing your song
I can sigh in the night, this is true




But oh pretty darlin'
I am speechless at the sight of you

Overall Meaning

In “Speechless,” Rupert Holmes speaks about being unable to articulate his feelings for the person he loves. The song begins by stating that while he is normally able to make speeches, he becomes tongue-tied and inarticulate when he tries to express his feelings to his lover. He is unable to understand why this person loves him, and is therefore left speechless when she reaches out for his hand. Despite this, he continues to smile and remain silent because of his fear of being misunderstood. He refers to his love for her as “blindness,” but he is content to continue loving her without explanation because of the kindness she continually shows him. He then goes on to say that he is completely hopeless without her and that he is unable to dream about a future without her. In the end, he is left speechless at the mere sight of her and can only express himself through song.


The lyrics of “Speechless” convey a sense of being overwhelmed by love and admiration for someone, to the point of being unable to express oneself, which is a universal experience for many people. Rupert Holmes conveys this emotion by using simple, yet evocative lyrics. He perfectly captures the feeling of being struck dumb by love by incorporating imagery such as “smiling like a cat whose caught a bird,” which is a clever metaphor for being unable to articulate one’s feelings. In addition, the song's melody and rhythm match Rupert's sentimental mood and the song's meaning.


Line by Line Meaning

I can make a speech
I am capable of giving speeches.


When the mood comes to me, yes it's true
I only give speeches when I feel like it.


But oh pretty darlin'
Addressing a loved one.


I am speechless when it comes to you
You render me speechless with your presence.


Speechless when you reach for my hand
Your touch leaves me speechless.


I am so speechless and I can't understand how you love me
I am amazed by your love and can't comprehend why you love me.


But as long as you keep sayin' that you love me
Your declaration of love gives me satisfaction.


There is nothin' I can say
My feelings surpass my ability to express them in words.


Except I am speechless at the sound of your voice
Your voice leaves me speechless.


I am so speechless and since I have no choice
I have no choice but to stay speechless.


I keep smilin' like a cat whose caught a bird
I cannot hide my delight in your presence.


And just keep smilin'
I will continue to smile without saying a word.


If I dare to say a word, you'd find me mindless
My love for you is so strong that if I spoke it would seem meaningless.


And I don't really mind, love is blindness
I am not concerned with the perception of others when it comes to my love for you.


And my mind is resigned to the kindness you keep pourin' on me
Your love is so kind that it has captured my heart.


Can it be? Can it be? Can it be all for me?
I cannot believe that you love me this way.


I don't have a hope
I am hopeless without your love.


If you don't dream of me, this is true
My hope is tied to your dreams of me.


Cause oh pretty darlin'
Addressing a loved one.


I am hopeless when I dream of you
My dreams of you leave me hopeless without your love.


Speechless and the heart never lies
My heart speaks louder than my words.


I am so speechless so I speak with my eyes
My eyes express the speechlessness I feel in your presence.


I am just smilin' 'cause I've seen [?]
I am smiling because of what I have seen in you.


Oh, are you smilin' at my face within the darkness
Are you smiling back at me?


When I am breathless and I come up for air
Your love takes my breath away.


It's so endless that it gives me a scare
The depth of your love is almost frightening.


It's so timeless that I never touch ground
Our love is beyond the constraints of time and space.


Why should I? Why should I? Why should I make a sound
Words cannot express the depth of our love.


I can sing your song
I can express my love for you in music.


I can sigh in the night, this is true
I can express my love in more subtle ways.


But oh pretty darlin'
Addressing a loved one.


I am speechless at the sight of you
Your presence leaves me speechless.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUPERT HOLMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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