Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
I Can't Touch the Sun
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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I've never done the things that you need done for you.
I've stretched as high as I can reach. I guess I'm not the one for you.
'Cause I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun for you.
No, I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun.
I can't look inside your mind and see the things you're hopin' for.
I can't help you chase the dream you're gropin' for.
But Lord knows who they're open for.
I can't know your mind or chase your dreams with you.
I can't chase your dreams or know your mind.
I hope you find somebody who can do the things I didn't do.
Find the road I didn't find, and build a better world for you.
I hope you find somebody bold enough to reach and take ahold
And guide your ever-changin' mind and free your ever-risin' soul.
But I can't...I can't .
I can't turn back time for you and make you sweet sixteen again.
I can't turn your barren fields to green again.
And I can't sit around and talk about what might have been again.
I can't turn back time and make you young again.
I can't turn back time and make you young.
So say goodbye and don't look back, I've had some happy days with you.
Sorry I can't be the one who stays with you.
And if they ask about me, you can say I was the one with you.
Who never touched the clouds or reached the sun with you.
I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun.
The song I Can't Touch the Sun by Shel Silverstein is about a man who realizes that he cannot fulfill the expectations of his partner. He acknowledges that there are certain things that he cannot do for her, such as reaching the clouds or the sun, looking inside her mind, or turning back time. This is a metaphor for his inability to meet her emotional and psychological needs. Despite his efforts to stretch as high as he can to reach the clouds, she finds someone else who can provide her with what she needs.
The song speaks to the insignificance of human capacity and limitations. For all the things that he can't do for her, he hopes that someone else will be able to provide her with what he could not. The song shows the importance of self-reflection and acceptance of one's weaknesses. It is about recognizing that sometimes we cannot be everything our partner needs, and that it is okay to let them go and find what they need elsewhere.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't touch the clouds for you, I never reached the sun for you.
I haven't accomplished the things you needed from me.
I've never done the things that you need done for you.
I haven't fulfilled your needs or desires.
I've stretched as high as I can reach. I guess I'm not the one for you.
I've tried my best, but maybe I'm not the person you're looking for.
'Cause I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun for you.
I'm limited in what I can do for you.
No, I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun.
I'm not capable of achieving the impossible.
I can't look inside your mind and see the things you're hopin' for.
I'm unable to understand your hopes and aspirations.
I can't help you chase the dream you're gropin' for.
I can't assist you in pursuing your goals.
You say your arms are open wide, But Lord knows who they're open for.
I don't know who you're waiting for or what you want.
I can't know your mind or chase your dreams with you.
I'm unable to comprehend your thought process or join you in your pursuits.
I can't chase your dreams or know your mind.
I'm incapable of going after what you want or understanding you fully.
I hope you find somebody who can do the things I didn't do.
I wish you could find someone who can fulfill your unmet needs.
Find the road I didn't find, and build a better world for you.
I hope you can find a different path and improve your circumstances.
I hope you find somebody bold enough to reach and take ahold And guide your ever-changin' mind and free your ever-risin' soul.
I wish you could find someone who empowers you to grow and develop.
But I can't...I can't .
Unfortunately, I'm not capable of doing those things.
I can't turn back time for you and make you sweet sixteen again.
I'm not able to reverse time and make you feel young again.
I can't turn your barren fields to green again.
I can't take your hardships and make them go away.
And I can't sit around and talk about what might have been again.
I can't dwell on the past or what could have been different.
I can't turn back time and make you young again.
I'm unable to change the fact that you're aging.
I can't turn back time and make you young.
I'm not capable of reversing the aging process.
So say goodbye and don't look back, I've had some happy days with you.
Let's part ways positively, reminiscing on the good times we've shared.
Sorry I can't be the one who stays with you.
I'm sorry I'm not the person who can remain by your side.
And if they ask about me, you can say I was the one with you.
If anyone inquiries about me, you can tell them we were together for a period of time.
Who never touched the clouds or reached the sun with you.
I never accomplished the extraordinary with you.
I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun.
I'm not capable of achieving the impossible.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind