The All-American Rejects are an Americ… Read Full Bio ↴Stillwater OK, United States
The All-American Rejects are an American pop rock band that formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in the late 1990s by high school friends Tyson Ritter (on vocals, bass, piano) and Nick Wheeler (lead guitar, vocals and keys). Other current members are Chris Gaylor (on drums and percussion) and Mike Kennerty (rhythm guitar and vocals). They released their first independent album in the spring of 2000, and eventually built up a large local fanbase.
In the summer of 2001, the Rejects released the EP Same Girl, New Songs and began to tour the American Midwest. By the tour’s end, the band had signed a contract with Doghouse Records, the label of such bands as River City High and The Get Up Kids.
In 2002 the Rejects recorded their international debut album. From this album came the single Swing, Swing for which the Rejects were first known.
In 2005, The All-American Rejects released their new album, Move Along. This album features the song Dirty Little Secret, which was the first single. Their music video for the song features postcards from the book “Post Secret” by Frank Warren. The second release from the album was Move Along, recognised by its far from ordinary video, followed by It Ends Tonight which got some publicity from being featured on the third season of the MTV show, Laguna Beach. They also appeared in the TV series ‘Smallville’ where they played It Ends Tonight on the party of Lex Luthor. Before that, you also heard their songs Swing, Swing and Dirty Little Secret on the same show.
Can't Take It
The All American Rejects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know this will be temporary
You ask to leave,
But I can tell you that I've had enough
I can't take it
This welcome is gone and
I've waited long enough to make it
You might as well just do it alone
And I'll watch you go
Step up to me
I know that you've got something buried
I'll set you free
You set conditions, but I've had enough
I can't take it
This welcome is gone and
I've waited long enough to make it
And if you're so strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I'll watch you go
Won't you come back home, won't you come home?
You step in line, you got a lot to prove
It comes and goes
Yeah, it comes and goes
A step in time, yeah it's a lot to move
I know this will be temporary
I know this will be temporary
I know this will be, but I've had enough
I can't take it
This welcome is gone and
I've waited long enough to make it
And if you're so strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I'll watch you go
I can't take it
This welcome is gone and
I've waited long enough to make it
And if you're so strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I'll watch you go
In "Can't Take It", The All American Rejects explore the idea of failed relationships and ultimately coming to the realization that it’s better to let go and move on. The song has a sense of finality to it, with the band members knowing that the other person is going to leave, and they can’t do anything to change it. The lyrics are just a formality, as it’s clear that the relationship is already over. The vocalist is telling the other person that they know their departure is temporary, and the plea for them to come back home is made with the understanding that it is not going to happen. The chorus of the song is straightforward, with the lyrics “I can’t take it” repeated several times, driving home the point that the situation has become unbearable for him.
In the second verse, the vocalist takes on a more confident tone, challenging the other person to “step up” and face their buried issues. He lets the other person know that they set conditions, but he’s had enough of the situation, indicating that he’s not willing to tolerate the relationship any longer. He ends the verse by stating that he knows the relationship will be temporary, but he’s had enough.
Overall, "Can't Take It" by The All American Rejects serves as a musically upbeat and catchy breakup anthem, with the lyrics exploring how sometimes it's better to move on from failed relationships and let go.
Line by Line Meaning
You speak to me and
You're talking to me, but I know that this connection isn't going to last long.
I know this will be temporary
I'm aware that this is a brief encounter.
You ask to leave,
You want to exit.
But I can tell you that I've had enough
But I don't want you to stay any longer.
I can't take it
I can't handle it anymore.
This welcome is gone and
I'm no longer welcoming you.
I've waited long enough to make it
I've been patient, but now I'm ready to move on.
And if you're so strong
If you think you're capable,
You might as well just do it alone
You should just do it without me.
And I'll watch you go
I'll observe your departure.
Step up to me
Approach me.
I know that you've got something buried
I'm aware that you're hiding something.
I'll set you free
I'll help you reveal this hidden aspect.
You set conditions, but I've had enough
You're making demands, but I'm no longer willing to comply.
Won't you come back home, won't you come home?
Can't you just return?
You step in line, you got a lot to prove
You have to conform and show your worth.
It comes and goes
Sometimes it's present, sometimes it's not.
Yeah, it comes and goes
Yes, this situation is fleeting.
A step in time, yeah it's a lot to move
It's difficult to keep up and adapt.
I know this will be temporary
Again, I understand that this won't last forever.
But I've had enough
But nevertheless, I'm done with this.
I can't take it
Once again, I'm unable to handle it.
This welcome is gone and
I'm reiterating that I don't want this person around anymore.
I've waited long enough to make it
I've been holding out and remaining patient,
And if you're so strong
If you think you're capable,
You might as well just do it alone
You should just handle this situation by yourself.
And I'll watch you go
Again, I'll observe your departure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NICK WHEELER, TYSON RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind