I Can't Reach You
The Who Lyrics


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I'm a million ages past you
A million years behind you, too
A thousand miles up in the air
A trillion times I've seen you there

Your hair is golden, mine is grey
You walk on grass, it turns to hay
Your blood is blue and your eyes are red
My body strains, but the nerves are dead

I can't reach you
I've strained my eyes
I can't reach you
I've split my sides
I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you

The distances grow greater now
You drink champagne and past me plow
You fly your plane right over my head
You're so alive and I'm nearly dead

I can't reach you
With arms outstretched
I can't reach you
I crane my neck
I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you

Once I caught a glimpse
Of your unguarded, untouched heart
Our fingertips touched and then
My mind tore us apart

I can't reach you
With arms outstretched
I can't reach you
I crane my neck
I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you

I can't reach you
With arms outstretched
I can't reach you




I crane my neck
I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Who's song "I Can't Reach You" speak to the distance that can exist between two people, despite their close proximity. The singer describes themselves as being a million ages past and a million years behind the person they are addressing. They long to connect with them, to see, feel, or hear from them, but they feel as though they are out of reach. The imagery in the song is striking, with lines like "Your hair is golden, mine is grey" and "You drink champagne and past me plow," illustrating the stark contrast between the two individuals.


The frustration of the singer is palpable, as they strain their eyes, split their sides, and crane their neck in an attempt to reach the other person. However, despite their efforts, they remain unable to connect with them. The song suggests that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we may be unable to understand or reach another person, even if we long to do so.


The final verse of the song offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer reminisces about a moment of connection they shared with the other person. They caught a glimpse of their unguarded, untouched heart and touched fingertips, but ultimately their minds tore them apart. This verse suggests that there may be moments of connection even between people who feel out of reach, but that these moments may be fleeting.


Overall, "I Can't Reach You" speaks to the universal longing for connection and the frustration that can arise when we feel unable to connect with others, even if we are physically close to them.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a million ages past you
I am far beyond you in time and experience


A million years behind you, too
I am also far behind you in time and experience


A thousand miles up in the air
I am so far removed from you in distance


A trillion times I've seen you there
I have seen you countless times from afar


Your hair is golden, mine is grey
You are youthful and vibrant, while I am old and worn


You walk on grass, it turns to hay
Your very presence transforms things into something mundane and everyday


Your blood is blue and your eyes are red
You are otherworldly and not of this world


My body strains, but the nerves are dead
I am physically incapable of expressing myself to you


I can't reach you I've strained my eyes I can't reach you I've split my sides I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you
I am desperate to connect with you, but I am unable to in any way


The distances grow greater now
The divide between us continues to increase over time


You drink champagne and past me plow
You live a life of luxury that is far beyond my reach


You fly your plane right over my head
You are soaring higher and higher while I am still rooted in place


You're so alive and I'm nearly dead
You have vitality and energy, while I am tired and worn out


Once I caught a glimpse Of your unguarded, untouched heart Our fingertips touched and then My mind tore us apart
I briefly saw a glimpse of the real you, and that made me realize how unattainable you truly are


I can't reach you With arms outstretched I can't reach you I crane my neck I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you
Despite my efforts, I am unable to get through to you, and it is frustrating and painful


I can't reach you With arms outstretched I can't reach you I crane my neck I can't reach, tryin' to get on you, see, feel or hear from you
I am still unable to get through to you, and the pain and frustration continue




Lyrics © ABCKO MUSIC, INC.
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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