The song achieved minor chat success in most of the European countries where it was released, peaking at #21 in Ireland, its highest position in the various charts. This single was less successful than the previous Cranberries' singles.
I Can't Be With You
The Cranberries Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I cry 'cause you're not here
Crying in my head again
And I know that it's not clear
Put your hands, put your hands
Inside my face and see that it's just you
But it's bad and it's mad
Because I can't be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Baby, I can't be with you
Thinking back on how things were
And on how we loved so well
I wanted to be the mother of your child
And now it's just farewell
Put your hands in my hands
And come with me
We'll find another end
And my head, and my head
On anyone's shoulder
'Cause I can't be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Baby, I can't be with you
'Cause you're not here, you're not here
Baby, I can't be with you
'Cause you're not here, you're not here
Baby, still in love with you
Still in love with you
Uh-uh-uh-uh
When I'm still in love with you
Na, na, na, na
Still in love with you
Uh-uh-uh-uh
When I'm still in love with you
Na na na na
Still in love with you
Uh-uh-uh-uh
When I'm still in love with you
The lyrics to The Cranberries' "I Can't Be With You" express the deep longing and heartache of someone who is missing their lover. The singer is in bed, crying and thinking about how much they miss the person they cannot be with. The feeling is overwhelming and they express their sadness, saying that it's bad and mad, and that it's making them sad. They desperately want to be with their lover, but they cannot.
The second verse offers a glimpse into what the singer is missing. They remember how things used to be when they were in love and had a future together. The singer reveals a desire to have had a child with their lover, but that dream is now lost. The singer wants someone to be with them as they process their grief, but they know that they cannot be with the person they love.
The repetition of the phrase "Be with you" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's longing and desperation. The chorus serves as a reminder that the singer cannot be with the person they want to be with, and this reality is incredibly painful.
Overall, "I Can't Be With You" is a poignant expression of love and loss, and is likely to resonate with anyone who has experienced a similar sense of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying in my bed again
Feeling alone and vulnerable in my bed
And I cry 'cause you're not here
Crying because I miss you
Crying in my head again
Feeling emotional and overwhelmed with thoughts of you
And I know that it's not clear
I don't understand why you and I can't be together
Put your hands, put your hands
Emphasizing the need for physical contact
Inside my face and see that it's just you
I want you to see that I am still the same person you love
But it's bad and it's mad
The situation is unpleasant and frustrating
And it's making me sad
Feeling unhappy and upset because of the separation
Because I can't be with you
The reason for the unhappiness is that we can't be together
Thinking back on how things were
Reflecting on happier times with you
And on how we loved so well
Remembering how strong and loving our relationship was
I wanted to be the mother of your child
I wanted to start a family with you
And now it's just farewell
Saying goodbye to those hopes and dreams
Put your hands in my hands
Asking for physical reassurance and support
And come with me
Wanting to escape the current situation and be together
We'll find another end
Believing that there is another way for us to be together
And my head, and my head
My thoughts, my thoughts
On anyone's shoulder
Seeking comfort and compassion from anyone
'Cause I can't be with you
Continuing to feel unhappy because we can't be together
Still in love with you
Although we are apart, my feelings for you have not changed
When I'm still in love with you
Repeating the previous statement for emphasis
Na na na na
Vocalizing the strong emotions that cannot be put into words
Still in love with you
Affirming that even though we can't be together, my love for you remains
When I'm still in love with you
Repeating the previous statement for emphasis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Noel Anthony Hogan, Dolores Mary O'riordan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_delirium_of_my_soul
Lying in my bed again And I cry 'cause you're not here
Crying in my head again
And I know that it's not clear
Put your hands, put your hands
Inside my face and see that it's just you
But it's bad and it's mad
And it's making me sad
Because I can't be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Baby, I can't be with you
Thinking back on how things were
And on how we loved so well
I wanted to be the mother of your child
And now it's just farewell
Put your hands in my hands
And come with me
We'll find another end
And my head, and my head
On anyone's shoulder
'Cause I can't be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Be with you, be with you
Baby, I can't be with you
'Cause you're not here, you're not here
Baby, I can't be with you
'Cause you're not here, you're not here
Baby, still in love with you
Still in love with you
When I'm still in love with you
Na na na na
Still in love with you
When I'm still in love with you
Na na na na
Still in love with you
When I'm still in love with you
@herlambangpranandaru3368
Lying in my bed again,
And I cry 'cause you're not here.
Crying in my head again,
And I know that it's not clear.
Put your hands, put your hands,
Inside my face and see that it's just you.
But it's bad and it's mad and it's making me sad,
Because I can't be with you.
Be with you. [X 4]
Be with you, be with you, baby, I can't be with you.
Thinking back on how things were,
And on how we loved so well.
I wanted to be the mother of your child,
And now it's just farewell.
Put your hands in my hands,
And come with me, we'll find another end.
And my head, and my head on anyone's shoulder,
'Cause I can't be with you.
Be with you. [X 4]
Be with you, be with you, baby, I can't be with you.
'Cause you're not here, you're not here,
Baby, I can't be with you.
'Cause you're not here, you're not here,
Baby, still in love with you.
Still in love with you. [X 6]
@FramboiseLFC
Dolores was my husband's favourite singer. Her songs were part of our life. Dreams was even played at our wedding in 2005. My husband committed suicide in 2012 and anytime I've heard a Cranberries song since, my heart was torn apart. Especially this one. "Lying in my bed again and I cry 'cause you're not here..." He would have been so devastated by the news... With her gone, that's another small part of him which dies again... They were two tormented souls. I hope they've both found peace now... RIP.
@b_a_k_i_s
I am so sorry. I hope they are both watching over you now
@tourc4
Sry for you very very sry and sad
@vinny-3-
FramboiseLFC sorry for your husbands lost
@metal_slug7729
I’m so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy and condolences.
@marcomiranda6574
So sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you had to live.
@BlakeSymanns-ub7km
I'm 29 and a man...I cry everytime I hear this song. It's just so powerful how this song makes me realize how important loved ones are and how blessed I am to have them. ❤
@celebratecrypto3693
Same I’m in love with her just like I am in love with Elvis they are my top 5 favorites for sure.
@dariobutkovic645
Croatia, the nineties, after the war, empty parking near the sea, girl, the old Yugo 55 and this on cassette deck... Best days of my life. Thank you Dolores
@dabeatseeker8372
this comment deserves all the likes of the world and respect, its so pure and real..