Based in Seattle, Lerner handled most of the instrumental duties on his band's debut, Telekinesis!, which was produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla and released in spring 2009. Telekinesis then launched a tour in support of the record, with auxiliary members Chris Staples, David Broecker, and Jonie Broecker filling out the lineup. On the 2010 EP Parallel Seismic Conspiracies, Lerner took over production duties, but for his next full LP, 12 Desperate Straight Lines, he was back to working with Walla. For the tour that accompanied the release, Lerner formed a new band with Jason Narducy on bass and Cody Votolato on guitar. Lerner's third outing under the Telekinesis moniker, 2013's Dormarion, found the one-man band enlisting the help of Spoon drummer/producer Jim Eno.
Lerner spent the next two years immersing himself in the world of vintage synths and keyboards in anticipation of the band's retro synth pop-heavy fourth studio album, Ad Infinitum, which dropped in September 2015. Lerner struck a balance between the clean electronic textures of Ad Infinitum and the more organic approach of his earlier work on the album Effluxion, released in February 2019.
Biography by Andrew Leahey
I Cannot Love You
Telekinesis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never get things fine
Yeah, I think you're lazy
I cannot love, I cannot love you
No, I cannot love, I cannot love you
You think you're alright
But I think you're wrong
You got a heavy heart
And I cannot love you, cannot love you
No, I cannot love you, cannot love you
No, I cannot love you, cannot love you
I cannot love you, cannot love you
I cannot love you, cannot love you
No I cannot love you, cannot love you.
No, I cannot love you, cannot love you.
Well, I cannot love you, cannot love you.
The lyrics of Telekinesis's song I Cannot Love You present an individual who is in a relationship that is not working out. The persona expresses their frustration with their partner, who they believe is not putting in the effort to make things work in the relationship. They accuse their partner of laziness and having a sad song which signifies a heavy heart. The persona accepts that they cannot love their partner because they are unable to overlook the issues in the relationship.
The persona seems to be aware of their mental and emotional state, which they attribute to their inability to love their partner. They mention feeling sick and crazy, suggesting that they may have underlying mental health concerns that are clouding their judgment. The repetition of the phrase, "I cannot love you," emphasizes the persona's resolve not to continue with the relationship under the current circumstances.
In conclusion, Telekinesis's song I Cannot Love You depicts a relationship that has hit a rough patch. The persona acknowledges their partner's flaws and decides that it is not possible to continue with the relationship. The song's lyrics reveal the persona's emotional and mental turmoil and their inability to give their partner the love they may deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I'm sick and you know I'm crazy
I acknowledge that I have a mental illness and that you are aware of it.
Never get things fine
I struggle with getting things right and often make mistakes.
Yeah, I think you're lazy
I perceive you as lacking motivation and not putting in effort.
I cannot love, I cannot love you
Due to my mental state and how I view you, I am unable to feel affection for you.
You think you're alright
You believe that you are doing well and have no major issues.
But I think you're wrong
However, I disagree with your self-evaluation and have a different perception of you.
You got a heavy heart
You carry emotional weight and have experienced deep pain.
And a sad sad song
This has resulted in a melancholy demeanor and a negative outlook on life.
And I cannot love you, cannot love you
Again, due to my mental state and perception of you, I am incapable of feeling romantic love for you.
No, I cannot love you, cannot love you
This is a firm statement that my feelings will not change and I cannot force myself to love you.
Well, I cannot love you, cannot love you.
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes my inability to reciprocate your feelings.
Writer(s): Michael Benjamin Lerner
Contributed by Lucy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.