According to Merge, at their initial studio session the two “were immediately struck by one another’s talents and found an instant rapport". During a conversation about their shared love of old records, Zooey let slip that she wrote her own songs, which she recorded alone at home on her computer. Somewhat shy about sharing these musical morsels, she was eventually persuaded to send them to M. Ward. He was instantly impressed, and they soon reconvened at his studio in Portland to begin work. Recorded over a period of several months, between acting work (She) and touring commitments (Him), the pair found time to bring Zooey’s fledgling songs to gorgeous fruition
I Could’ve Been Your Girl
She & Him Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It doesn’t matter that the lights are tender, love.
Oh, oh, I know you have to go.
It doesn’t matter, I fought my heart,
It’s broken, shattered to a million and one.
I’m done, I guess I haven’t won.
'Cause I could’ve been your girl
If I could do it over I’d send you the pillow that I cry on.
It doesn’t matter, I just begun,
And if you see me, just move on,
'Cause we are free and never meant to be.
'Cause I could’ve been your girl
And you could’ve been my four leaf clover.
If I could do it over I’d send you the pillow that I cry on.
'Cause I could’ve been your girl
And you could’ve been my four leaf clover.
If I could do it over I’d send you the pillow that I cry on.
'Cause I could’ve been your girl
And you could’ve been my four leaf clover.
If I could do it over I’d send you the pillow that I cry on.
In the song "I Could've Been Your Girl" by She & Him, the singer is reflecting on a relationship that never came to fruition. She is acknowledging that regardless of her willingness or the tenderness of their connection, the timing and circumstances just weren't right. While the singer is heartbroken and still crying on a pillow, she comes to the realization that she needs to move on and let go. She acknowledges that her former love interest may see her, but that they should both accept that they were never meant to be together.
The chorus of the song is a lament for what could have been. The singer imagines a scenario where she and her love interest could have been happy together, like a four leaf clover, a symbol of good luck and fortune. She then states that if she could do things over, she would send the man the pillow she cries on, perhaps as a way of reconciling or making amends for their missed opportunity.
Overall, "I Could've Been Your Girl" is a melancholic tune that meditates on regret and missed chances for love. Despite the singer's longing, she eventually accepts the reality of the situation and chooses to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
It doesn’t matter, if I were willing
It doesn't matter if I were willing to be with you because it won't happen.
It doesn’t matter that the lights are tender, love.
The romantic ambiance of the lights doesn't matter because our relationship won't blossom.
Oh, oh, I know you have to go.
I understand that you have to leave and our romantic relationship is impossible.
It doesn’t matter, I fought my heart,
Even though I tried to make it work, my heart is still broken.
It’s broken, shattered to a million and one.
My heart is completely destroyed and I feel like there is no hope for love anymore.
I’m done, I guess I haven’t won.
I have given up on love and feel like I haven't succeeded in finding it.
'Cause I could’ve been your girl
I could have been your romantic partner if things were different.
And you could’ve been my four leaf clover.
You could have been my lucky charm and brought me happiness.
If I could do it over I’d send you the pillow that I cry on.
If I could go back in time, I would still love you and cherish our relationship, but since that is impossible, I will just cry myself to sleep on a pillow.
It doesn’t matter, I just begun,
Even though I am just beginning to move on, the fact is that we can never be together.
And if you see me, just move on,
If you see me, don't dwell on the past, just move on because we cannot change it.
'Cause we are free and never meant to be.
We are both free to pursue our individual lives because we were never meant to be together in the long run.
'Cause I could’ve been your girl
Once again, the singer emphasizes that she could have been the romantic partner of the person but destiny didn't allow it.
And you could’ve been my four leaf clover.
The singer reiterates that the person could have brought happiness and luck into her life but they never had a chance to get together.
If I could do it over I’d send you the pillow that I cry on.
The singer repeats that she would want to renew their relationship if given the chance, but for now, she will just cry herself to sleep alone.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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