I Can't Live Without Your Love
Teddy Pendergrass & Friends Lyrics


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Baby, I, oh, I
I can't live without your love
See, I'm smilin' on the outside, while I'm just cryin' on the inside
Facin' a world without your love

See, the truth has come to light
You're the reason nothings right
Alone again tonight
All just because of some silly fight

I, oh, oh, oh, I
I don't wanna give without your love, foolishly I suffer
I only pretend, oh, just to fool my friend
Don't know what to do with myself without your love

There's a wounded empty space
Nothing can replace that love
That love, that love, that love that I lost
You're my life, you mean so much to me

And I can't go it alone
This winding, this winding road is so long
So pack it up, baby, get it together
Let's start all over again

I, oh, oh, oh, I
I don't wanna live without your love
While I'm smiling on the outside, I'm just cryin' on the inside
Facin' a world without your love

See, I'm fightin' sleepless nights
Tears have washed all hope from sight
Oh, wouldn't it be, wouldn't it be so right
If I had you right here with me tonight




If you only reach out your hand and save a heartbroken man
I can't live

Overall Meaning

without your love


In "I Can't Live Without Your Love," Teddy Pendergrass sings about the pain of losing the love of his life. He reveals that he is putting on a brave face on the outside, but inside he is crying and facing a world without his beloved. The truth has come to light, and he knows that he is suffering without the love he lost. He pretends everything is okay to fool his friends, but deep down, he is lost without his partner. The pain of their separation is so intense that it has left a wounded, empty space that nothing else can fill.


Pendergrass realizes he cannot go on alone or down this never-ending, winding road. He urges his lover to pack it up, get it together and restart their relationship because he cannot live without their love. The song's main theme is the pain of losing someone you cannot live without and the hope of reconciling and rebuilding a shattered relationship. Pendergrass's soulful voice elevates the song's emotional depth and makes it a classic ballad that audiences can relate to.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, I, oh, I
The singer is addressing his lover and expressing his reliance on their love for him to survive, even if it means sacrificing his own pride.


I can't live without your love
The singer is emphasizing the importance of his lover's love in his life and stating that he cannot survive without it.


See, I'm smilin' on the outside, while I'm just cryin' on the inside
The singer is conveying the dichotomy of his feelings, appearing happy to those around him but feeling internal pain and sadness without his lover.


Facin' a world without your love
The singer is acknowledging the difficulty of facing life without the support and love of his partner.


See, the truth has come to light
The singer is revealing that he now understands the importance of his lover and how their presence in his life impacts his happiness.


You're the reason nothings right
The singer is admitting that without his lover, everything in his life feels wrong and out of place.


Alone again tonight
The singer is lamenting his loneliness without his lover by his side.


All just because of some silly fight
The singer is recognizing that the reason for his current situation, feeling alone and without his lover's support, is due to a minor disagreement or argument.


I, oh, oh, oh, I
The singer is once again emphasizing his dependence on his lover and their love for him to survive.


I don't wanna give without your love, foolishly I suffer
The singer is expressing that he is willing to endure suffering as long as he has his lover's love, and that his life is incomplete without it.


I only pretend, oh, just to fool my friend
The singer is admitting that, despite trying to appear happy and fulfilled without his lover, he is simply pretending for the sake of others.


Don't know what to do with myself without your love
The singer is highlighting that he feels lost and uncertain without his lover's love, and doesn't know how to move forward in life.


There's a wounded empty space
The singer is expressing that there is a void in his life without his lover, and that he feels hurt and incomplete.


Nothing can replace that love
The singer is stating that no other love or support can take the place of his lover's, and that he cannot replace what he has lost.


That love, that love, that love that I lost
The singer is emphasizing the significance of the love he had and lost, and how it has impacted his life.


You're my life, you mean so much to me
The singer is highlighting the importance of his lover in his life, and how much they mean to him.


And I can't go it alone
The singer is acknowledging that he cannot face life without his lover's love and support, and needs them by his side.


This winding, this winding road is so long
The singer is expressing that without his lover, life feels difficult and endless, like a winding road with no end in sight.


So pack it up, baby, get it together
The singer is urging his lover to reconcile and work to fix their relationship, so they can be together once again.


Let's start all over again
The singer is expressing a desire to put the past behind them and start fresh with their relationship, repairing any damage that may have been done.


While I'm smiling on the outside, I'm just cryin' on the inside
The singer is repeating the earlier sentiment, expressing that he is hiding his true emotions from those around him and is struggling internally without his lover.


See, I'm fightin' sleepless nights
The singer is emphasizing that his struggle without his lover is constant, even impacting his ability to sleep and rest.


Tears have washed all hope from sight
The singer is expressing that he feels hopeless without his lover, and that crying has washed away any remaining hope he may have had.


Oh, wouldn't it be, wouldn't it be so right
The singer is expressing a desire for things to be as they were before, and for his lover to return to his life and provide him with the love and support he needs.


If I had you right here with me tonight
The singer is stating that if his lover were with him, it would make a significant impact on his life and well-being, and he would feel more complete.


If you only reach out your hand and save a heartbroken man
The singer is expressing hope that his lover will extend a hand to him, and help him to heal and feel happy once again.


I can't live
The singer repeats the sentiment from the beginning of the song, emphasizing that he cannot continue to live without his lover's love and support.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRISLER, BRAD/LEBLANC, JAMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Shekhi

One of my MANY favs by him. This video is AWESOME!!! Thx for sharing!!

Thor Valiant

so beautiful Teddy magnificent !!!

bluesmama

Zandi - Thanks for posting all these classics!!  Most of these I have on vinyl and completely forgot about them - they have now been dusted off and being converted to CD's so I can once again enjoy them as I did 30-40 years ago.  That was such a different era back then - people of all races, religions, etc just seemed more sincere and not so full of hatred as today's generation. Hopefully more young people will listen and realize just how precious life is and that "We are One" as Frankie Beverly used to say.  

Zandi5

YEs those were the good ole days as far as music was concerned.Today's music has taken a tragic turn for the worst

Zandi5

Yes I agree the music had more heart and soul more so than today's music as well. NOw today's music is so bland and every thing sounds the same. Thanks for your comment!!!

Zandi5

Yes Jaheim reminds me of Teddy Pendergrass .He is one of the few of today''s artists that I listen to. Thanks!!!!!

DangerMan the Urban Superhero

Thank you so much for sharing this video with me. Powerful. DangerMan

DangerMan the Urban Superhero

Your very welcome I love the love songs and I love to be in love!! DangerMan

Sheila Palmer

I feel you

Zandi5

Thank you Dangerman!!!!!

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