I Call Your Name
The Mamas & the Papas Lyrics

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I call your name, but you're not there
Was I to blame, for being unfair
Don't you know I can't sleep at night
Since you've been gone
I never weep at night
I can't go on

Don't you know I can't take it

I don't know who can
I'm not gonna make it
I'm not that kind of man

Don't you know I can't sleep at night
But just the same
I never weep at night
I call your name

Don't you know I can't take it
I don't know who can
I'm not gonna make it
I'm not that kind of man

Don't you know I can't sleep at night
But just the same, yeah
I never weep at night
I call your name

I never weep at night
I call your name, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Mamas & the Papas' "I Call Your Name" express the sadness and loneliness that comes with the end of a relationship. The singer is calling out for their former partner, but they are not there to answer. The lyrics suggest that the singer may have been unfair to the partner in some way, and is now regretting their actions that led to the breakup. The singer admits that they cannot sleep at night since their partner has been gone, yet they never weep at night. The repeated line, "Don't you know I can't take it, I'm not gonna make it, I'm not that kind of man" conveys the singer's desperation for their former partner to know how much they are struggling without them.

The song speaks to a universal human experience of love and loss, where the pain of separation is palpable. The chorus, "I call your name," is a poignant reminder of the power of a name and the ways it can evoke memories and emotions. The lyrics also touch on the idea that both partners may be hurting, as the singer wonders who can "take it" if they cannot. Despite the sadness and desperation in the lyrics, the music is upbeat and hopeful, with a catchy melody and harmonies that are typical of The Mamas & the Papas' sound.

Line by Line Meaning

I call your name, but you're not there
I am reaching out to you, but you are not present with me.

Was I to blame, for being unfair
I am questioning if my actions were the reason for your absence and if I treated you unfairly.

Don't you know I can't sleep at night
I am experiencing sleeplessness due to the fact that you are no longer with me.

Since you've been gone
Since you left, my life has been difficult.

I never weep at night
Even though I am sad, I do not cry at night.

I can't go on
I cannot continue living without you.

Don't you know I can't take it
I cannot handle the pain of our separation alone.

I'm not gonna make it
I cannot survive this emotional turmoil without you.

I'm not that kind of man
I am not someone who can handle the intensity of this pain alone.

But just the same
Despite this pain, I still persist in calling out to you.

I never weep at night
I continue to be sad, but I don't cry at night.