tears
The Neville Brothers Lyrics


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No
Well, well, well, well
Ooh yeah
Oh yeah

Thank you, baby
For the years you've given me
For each beat of my heart
For every breath I breathe

Thank you, sweetie
For the best times of my life
Through the good, through the bad
You were always by my side

I never thought I'd meet someone
Who loves unselfishly
And I appreciate the way you loved
And sacrificed for me

I can't hold back these tears, let me cry
Let me cry, although a man's not suppose to cry
If I hold back my tears, I'll just die
You've given so much to my life

Thank you, lady
For the joy you bring to life
When all was lost and gone
You brought hope back in sight

Thank you, honey
For being my best friend
When I thought no one understood
You would always understand

I used to think that I knew love
And what true love would mean
Now I know that I did not know much
'Cause you taught me everything

I can't hold back these tears, let me cry
Let me cry, although a man's not suppose to cry
If I hold back my tears, I'll just die
You've given so much to my life

Oh, God so loved the world
That He blessed us all with you
Then He gave me a heart
And now I'm giving it to you, baby

And these tears I cry are tears of joy
My happiness, I do rejoice
In the love you give unselfishly
Your constant sacrifice for me

I can't hold back these tears, let me cry
Although a man's not suppose to cry
If I hold back my tears, I'll just die
You, you, you given so much to my life

I can't hold back these tears, let me cry
Although a man's not suppose to cry
If I hold back my tears, I'll just die
You've given so much, so much to my life

I can't hold back these tears, let me cry
If I hold back my tears, I'll just die




I can't hold back these tears
Yeah, I'll just die, ooh

Overall Meaning

The Neville Brothers' "Tears" is a song about gratitude and appreciation for someone who has been a constant source of love and support. The singer expresses his thanks for the years his partner has given him, every "beat of his heart," and every breath he breathes. He's grateful for the best times of his life, and even for the tough times, knowing that she was always by his side. He acknowledges that her love is unselfish and sacrificial and that he didn't really know what true love was until he met her.


The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability that is often hard for men to express. The singer acknowledges that "although a man's not supposed to cry," he can't hold back these tears of gratitude and joy for what she's given him. He realizes that holding back his emotions would be like denying the importance of the love he shares with her, and he can't bear the thought of that.


Overall, "Tears" is a beautiful, heartfelt song about the power of love to transform and enrich our lives. It's a reminder to appreciate those who are important to us and to express our gratitude for their love and support.


Line by Line Meaning

Thank you, baby
Expressing gratitude towards someone dear to them


For the years you've given me
Grateful for the time spent together


For each beat of my heart
Expressing how much their loved one means to them


For every breath I breathe
Feeling thankful for each moment of their life


Thank you, sweetie
Expressing love towards their significant other


For the best times of my life
Feeling grateful for the good moments


Through the good, through the bad
Being able to overcome challenges together


You were always by my side
Appreciating their partner's constant support


I never thought I'd meet someone
Reflecting on their journey to finding love


Who loves unselfishly
Praising their partner's selflessness


And I appreciate the way you loved
Thankful for the way their partner loves them


And sacrificed for me
Acknowledging the sacrifices made for their relationship


I can't hold back these tears, let me cry
Overwhelmed with emotions and allowing themselves to express it


Let me cry, although a man's not suppose to cry
Breaking societal norms and expressing their emotions freely


If I hold back my tears, I'll just die
The need to express their emotions to remain emotionally healthy


You've given so much to my life
Acknowledging the impact their partner has had in their life


Thank you, lady
Expressing gratitude towards their partner again


For the joy you bring to life
Feeling happy and content because of their partner


When all was lost and gone
Highlighting how their partner has been there for them during difficult times


You brought hope back in sight
Being grateful for their partner's efforts in saving their relationship


Thank you, honey
Addressing their partner with another term of endearment


For being my best friend
Appreciating their partner as a companion and confidant


When I thought no one understood
Feeling grateful for their partner's empathy


You would always understand
Appreciating their partner's efforts to understand them


I used to think that I knew love
Reflecting on their past beliefs about love


And what true love would mean
Considering the meaning of true love


Now I know that I did not know much
Realizing their past ignorance about love


'Cause you taught me everything
Crediting their partner for showing them what true love is


Oh, God so loved the world
A theological reference to how they feel blessed for their partner


That He blessed us all with you
Attributing their partner as a special blessing


Then He gave me a heart
Symbolic reference of how their heart belongs to their partner


And now I'm giving it to you, baby
Expressing how they are giving their heart to their partner in return


And these tears I cry are tears of joy
Emotional tears because of how happy they are with their partner


My happiness, I do rejoice
Feeling joy in their heart because of their partner


In the love you give unselfishly
Acknowledging their partner's selfless love


Your constant sacrifice for me
Appreciating their partner's continuous efforts to make their relationship work


You, you, you given so much to my life
Reiterating how much their partner means to them


If I hold back my tears, I'll just die
The need to express their emotions to remain emotionally healthy (repeated)


I can't hold back these tears
Emphasizing their inability to control their emotions


Yeah, I'll just die, ooh
Exaggerating how difficult it is to hold back their tears




Writer(s): Tommy L. Sims Copyright: Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Universal Music Corp.

Contributed by Maya E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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