On 24 October 2014, Smith announced via Twitter that they would be releasing "Like I Can" as the fifth single from their debut album In the Lonely Hour. They posted, "Incredibly happy to announce that my next single will be LIKE I CAN!!".
The song was used to describe painful, loneliness that love back to a man's unavoidable desire for love and minimise the painful emotion was throughout this song.
"Like I Can" peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, giving Smith their fifth UK top 10 single. It was the 100th biggest-selling song of 2014 in the United Kingdom, as well as the 58th biggest in 2015. It has also charted at number 19 in New Zealand, number 20 in Australia, and number 99 in the United States.
The music video is in black and white and features Smith and several men on what appears to be a stag party.
Smith performed the song on 9 November 2014, on the fifth live results show of series 11 of The X Factor.
On October 12, 2015, Jordan Smith and Regina Love covered as a duet battle through song choice selection in The Voice. On February 25, 2016, Trent Harmon covered the song during the Top 10 round on the fifteenth season of American Idol. On October 24, 2016, Dave Moisan sang this song during the knockout rounds in The Voice.
In mid-August 2021, the song went viral on TikTok, appearing in more than 2.4M videos as of September 25, 2021 at 6:59 PM EDT. This song also previously went viral over there back in May 2020.
Like I Can
Sam Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He could be a preacher, when your soul is damned
He could be a lawyer on a witness stand
But he'll never love you like I can, can
He could be a stranger, he gave a second glance
He could be a trophy of a one night stand
He could have your humor, but I don't understand
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can
A chance encounter of circumstance
Baby, he's a mantra, keeps your mind entranced
He could be the silence in this mayhem, but then again
He'll never love you like I can, can, can
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
We both have demons that we can't stand
I love your demons, like devils can
If you're self-seeking, an honest man
Then stop deceiving, Lord, please
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
He'll never love you like I can, can, can
In Sam Smith's song "Like I Can," the singer is pleading with their ex-lover to give them another chance because no one will ever love them as much as they can. The song's lyrics explore the idea that, even though the ex-lover has moved on and is seeking love elsewhere, the singer believes that they are the only one who truly understands and cares for the ex-lover. The first two verses describe potential suitors who may have some attractive qualities, but the singer asserts that they will never love the ex-lover in the same way. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "They'll never love you like I can," underscores the singer's certainty in their beliefs.
The bridge introduces a new element to the song by acknowledging that both the singer and the ex-lover have their own flaws and demons. However, the singer argues that their love for the ex-lover is strong enough to withstand these challenges. The final chorus maintains the same conviction and plea as the previous ones, with the singer begging the ex-lover to see that they are the one for them.
Overall, "Like I Can" is a heartfelt song that explores the intensity of love and the desire to be chosen by another person. The repetition of "They'll never love you like I can" can be seen as both a declaration of love and a warning to the ex-lover that they may regret not choosing the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
He could be a sinner, or a gentleman
He has the potential to be both good or bad, a troubled person or a kind one.
He could be a preacher, when your soul is damned
He may be good at giving advice, but only when things are going wrong.
He could be a lawyer on a witness stand
He can be convincing and argumentative, but only in a legal setting.
But he'll never love you like I can, can
Regardless of his qualities or abilities, he won't be able to love you the way I do.
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
Why are you searching for love in all the wrong places?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
My love is all you need, it's the center of your life and everything important that you do.
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
There may be other people who want to love you, but they can't compare to my love.
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They're not capable of loving you the way I do, with such depth and intensity.
A chance encounter of circumstance
Our meeting and relationship may have been the result of fate or coincidence.
Baby, he's a mantra, keeps your mind entranced
The other person is just a repeating thought or pattern in your mind, they have a hold over you.
He could be the silence in this mayhem, but then again
He might seem to bring peace and calm to your life, but that's not true love.
He'll never love you like I can, can, can
No matter what, I'll always have a deeper, truer love for you.
We both have demons that we can't stand
We both have personal issues that we struggle with and can't change.
I love your demons, like devils can
I love you, including your faults which may be seen as bad or evil by others.
If you're self-seeking, an honest man
If you want someone who is truthful and real with you in return.
Then stop deceiving, Lord, please
Stop lying and pretending to yourself and others, because it's not worth it.
He'll never love you like I can, can, can
He will never be able to fully, completely love you like I do.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Samuel Frederick Smith, Matthew Alan Prime
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@boiepht4769
He could be a sinner, or a gentleman
He could be a preacher when your soul is damned
He could be a lawyer on a witness stand
But he'll never love you like I can, can
He could be a stranger you gave a second glance
He could be a trophy of a one night stand
He could have your humour, but I don't understand
'Cause he'll never love you like I can, can, can
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can
A chance encounter of circumstance
Maybe he's a mantra, keeps your mind entranced
He could be the silence in this mayhem, but then again
He'll never love you like I can, can, can
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
We both have demons, that we can't stand
I love your demons, like devils can
If you're self-seeking, an honest man
Then stop deceiving
Lord, please
Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?
When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul
There may be lovers who hold out their hands
But they'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
They'll never love you like I can, can, can
@Andy-we5og
The songwriting the voice, the talent of this man is incredible
@castledead45
*person. a few months back sam smith came out as non-binary.
@Missjxss
@maxtunamorgue they probably didn't know
@Jcon4002
@maxtunamorgue sam is still a biolgical Man so how is it offensive to call him that
@spacechicken4551
@JX02 because thats not what they identify as . or are . theyre non binary . stop sorting them into a binary
@Jcon4002
@Elliesaysstuff everyone is part of the binary biologically based on genitals and chromosomes, i don't see how non binary is a biolgical thing I see it as more of an identity.
@user-yb5jn9md9z
A message to the future generations. Don't let this song die.
@saralucegni9259
i swear i love this song ✨✨🤗
@user-zp5lt3kj7o
@Sara Lucegni same Jesus loves us the most don’t deny it for things on this temporary earth have a blessed great day
@GlitchedWalker1
agreed, been listening to sam for years :D