I Couldn
Tegan and Sara Lyrics


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Does your heart ache when you get around me?
Does your heart break when you think about me?
Now you wanna say, I was a liar
Led you astray, I won't deny it
I did what they thought would be good for me
Now you wanna cry, call me a cheater
Left you to die, though I did neither
Thought that it would, that it would be best for me

Do you cry? Oh, do your worst
Do you talk? Oh do your worst
I couldn't be your friend even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)
Try to conceal it, I won't believe it
Even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)

Does your body shake when you get around me?
Does your body wake when you think about me?
Now you wanna say, I was a criminal
Stole you away, that sounds so fictional
I did what they thought would be good for me

Do you cry? Oh, do your worst
Do you talk? Oh do your worst
I couldn't be your friend even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)
Try to conceal it, I won't believe it
Even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)

Now you wanna say you had it all wrong
Now you wanna say you had me all wrong
Now you wanna say you had it all wrong
Now you wanna say you had me all wrong

I couldn't be your friend even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)
Try to conceal it, I won't believe it
Even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)
Try to conceal it, I won't believe it
Even if I tried again
I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)





Couldn't be your friend

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tegan and Sara's song "I Couldn't Be Your Friend" explore the aftermath of a failed romance between two people. The theme of regret and introspection is prominent throughout the song, as the singer tries to reconcile the reality of her actions with the feelings of her former partner. The opening lines of the song pose the question of whether the presence of the singer still stirs up emotional pain in her ex-lover, and acknowledges the damage she inflicted on their relationship by leading them astray. The singer is aware that she cannot be trusted to be a friend to her former partner, and is resigned to the idea that they must both move on from the hurt they have caused each other.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I couldn't be your friend even if I tried again" multiple times, emphasizing the finality of the situation and the inability of the singer to make amends. The second verse explores the physical responses that come with the proximity of the singer, and how it evokes emotions in her ex-lover that they can't control. The bridge of the song provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer entertains the possibility of reconciliation when her former partner acknowledges that they misunderstood her intentions.


Overall, the song conveys a sense of regret for past mistakes and the realization that sometimes it's necessary to let go of relationships and move on.


Line by Line Meaning

Does your heart ache when you get around me?
Do you feel emotional pain when you're near me?


Does your heart break when you think about me?
Do you feel heartbroken when you think about me?


Now you wanna say, I was a liar
You now accuse me of being dishonest


Led you astray, I won't deny it
I admit that I caused you to be misled


I did what they thought would be good for me
I acted in a way that others believed was beneficial to me


Now you wanna cry, call me a cheater
You now want to cry and label me as a cheater


Left you to die, though I did neither
I didn't abandon you, although it may seem like I did


Thought that it would, that it would be best for me
I believed that what I did was in my best interest


Do you cry? Oh, do your worst
If you need to cry, go ahead and do it


Do you talk? Oh do your worst
If you need to talk, I can handle it


I couldn't be your friend even if I tried again
Even if I attempted to be your friend again, it wouldn't work


I couldn't be your friend (Wouldn't be your friend)
I'm not willing or able to be your friend


Try to conceal it, I won't believe it
If you try to hide your emotions or thoughts, I won't believe you


Now you wanna say you had it all wrong
You now admit that your previous understanding was incorrect


Now you wanna say you had me all wrong
You now admit that you misunderstood me


Couldn't be your friend
I'm not capable of being your friend




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sara Keirsten Quin, Tegan Rain Quin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Gab Rose

Tegan said recently that she just relearned this for the LY2D tour and I CAN'T WAIT. The emotion in her live rendition is just mindblowing.

Karen G.

i saw them back in november and they played the new version and it didn't even come close to this, but still good!

pussy superstar

I was praying they'd do this and now you commented and I'm crying.

Olivia Grey

They're both so into it. Tegan singing so perfectly and then Sara is just, feeling it, haha

llamaoffspring

Wow. Tegan's always been my favorite, and while I love Sara, too, and though Tegan misses notes a lot... she has such an amazing style and sings with such passion... I just adore watching her sing her songs. And this is one of my favorite T+S songs, even though I'm not that into the new style.

Also, she's super hot and should definitely date me. <3

Howe Blanc

Same! But I also like alligator and Shock to your system, acoustic version:D
You know... I don't want to hurt you but Tegan is mine XD sorry

Magic Dragon

Tegan and Sara are so great both have powerful voices

Beb Horner

This has to be my favourite version of this song, I love Tegan's growl, it's like she's going back to the older albums, it's fantastic

llamaoffspring

Wow. Tegan's always been my favorite, and while I love Sara, too, and though Tegan misses notes a lot... she has such an amazing style and sings with such passion... I just adore watching her sing her songs. And this is one of my favorite T+S songs, even though I'm not that into the new style.

Also, she's super hot and should definitely date me. <3

Amy Thomas

Going through a particularly rough breakup and this song is my anthem. I can’t wait to see y’all love again ♥️♥️

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