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If I Can't Have You
Shawn Mendes Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?

I'm in Toronto and I got this view
But I might as well be in a hotel room, yeah
It doesn't matter 'cause I'm so consumed
Spending all my nights reading texts from you

Oh, I'm good at keepin' my distance
I know that you're the feelin' I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothin' if I can't have you

I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?

I'm so sorry that my timing's off
But I can't move on if we're still gonna talk
Is it wrong for me to not want half?
I want all of you, all the strings attached

Oh, I'm good at keepin' my distance
I know that you're the feelin' I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothin' if I can't have you

I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?

I'm trying to move on
Forget you, but I hold on
Everything means nothing
Everything means nothing, babe
I'm trying to move on
Forget you, but I hold on
Everything means nothing if I can't have you, no

I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?

Overall Meaning

In his song "If I Can't Have You," Shawn Mendes expresses his desperate longing for a former lover. He sings about how he can't stop thinking about her, how consumed he is by their past relationship, and how everything means nothing if he can't have her back. He describes how he's trying to move on and forget about her, but he's unable to do so because he's holding on to the hope that they can be together again. Ultimately, he realizes that he wants all of her, not just half, and that he can't go on with his life if he can't have her by his side.


One way to interpret these lyrics is that they reflect the complexities of modern relationships in which people often remain tethered to their exes through social media and other forms of communication. Mendes' struggle to move on is emblematic of the challenges faced by many individuals in contemporary society who try to leave their romantic past behind but are held back by the constant reminders of their former love.


This song also highlights the vulnerability of the singer, who reveals his innermost feelings and desires to the world through his music. His honest portrayal of his emotions strikes a chord with listeners who can relate to his yearning for lost love and his inability to let go.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't write one song that's not about you
Every song I write is inspired by you and our relationship.


Can't drink without thinkin' about you
Even when I try to distract myself, thoughts of you come back to me.


Is it too late to tell you that
I regret not expressing my feelings sooner.


Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
My life would feel empty without you.


I'm in Toronto and I got this view
I have a great life in terms of material possessions, but my emotional state depends on you.


But I might as well be in a hotel room, yeah
No matter where I am physically, my mind and emotions are always focused on you.


It doesn't matter 'cause I'm so consumed
My obsession with you takes over every aspect of my life.


Spending all my nights reading texts from you
I replay our conversations over and over, looking for any sign of affection from you.


Oh, I'm good at keepin' my distance
I try to hide my intense feelings from you.


I know that you're the feelin' I'm missing
You are the only missing piece of my happiness.


You know that I hate to admit it
I struggle to be vulnerable and express my true feelings to you.


I'm so sorry that my timing's off
I regret not pursuing you sooner or at a different time.


But I can't move on if we're still gonna talk
Our continued communication makes it difficult for me to let go of my feelings for you.


Is it wrong for me to not want half?
I don't want to settle for a partial relationship.


I want all of you, all the strings attached
I want a full and committed relationship with you.


I'm trying to move on
I'm attempting to find a way forward without you.


Forget you, but I hold on
Despite my efforts, I can't seem to let go of my feelings for you.


Everything means nothing, babe
My life feels incomplete and meaningless without you.


Everything means nothing if I can't have you, no
My happiness and fulfillment are completely dependent on you being a part of my life.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nate Mercereau, Scott Harris Friedman, Shawn Mendes, Teddy Geiger

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

@user-sk6tv9kk6i

Chorus]
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you
[Verse 1]
I'm in Toronto and I got this view
But I might as well be in a hotel room, yeah
It doesn't matter 'cause I'm so consumed
Spending all my nights reading texts from you
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance
I know that you're the feeling I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothing if I can't have you
[Chorus]
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you
[Verse 2]
I'm so sorry that my timing's off
But I can't move on if we're still gonna talk
Is it wrong for me to not want half?
I want all of you, all the strings attached
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance
I know that you're the feeling I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothing if I can't have you
[Chorus]
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you
[Bridge]
I'm trying to move on, forget you, but I hold on
Everything means nothing, everything means nothing, babe
I'm trying to move on, forget you, but I hold on
Everything means nothing if I can't have you, no
[Chorus]
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you (Yeah)
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you



All comments from YouTube:

@Wigconic.

This is how many people that excited for the new album by Shawn
👇

@nabeelputra8383

Is there going to be a neww albumm??

@jasonscribout3093

B

@leuleulemon

U forgotten kisses from Poland...

@americkipsiho

You craving for em' likes

@oonlg6805

@@leuleulemon 😂😂 girl bye

8 More Replies...

@destinymriendelrosario7225

0.01% comments - the song is great

99.9% comments - LOVE FROM POLAND

@iichloxo

TroyHadWalls why is everyone from Poland? I’m from little New Zealand 😂🇳🇿

@draganpajkanovic5547

Im from Serbia so im not from Poland

@ashlee2414

Bahahha ikr

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