I still recall the taste of your tears
Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears
My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore
Scraping through my head 'till I don't want to sleep anymore

You make this all go away
You make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, and I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away
You make this all go away
I just want something
I just want something I can never have

You always were the one to show me how
Back then I couldn't do the things that I can do now
This thing is slowly take me apart
Grey would be the color if I had a heart

Come on and tell me, you make this all go away
You make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, and I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away
You make this all go away
I just want something
I just want something I can never have

In this place it seems like such a shame
Though it all looks different now,
I know it's still the same
Everywhere I look you're all I see
Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be

Come on tell me you make this all go away
You make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, and I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away
You make it all go away
I just want something,
I just want something I can never have
I just want something I can never have


Lyrics submitted by jose

Something I Can Never Have Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Something I Can Never Have song meanings
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145 Comments

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  • +8
    General Comment

    I do believe Trent wrote this song during the recording and writing of Pretty Hate Machine. This wasn't originally meant to be on the album either, but something happened to Trent during the trip to wherever (can't remember where it was) he was while recording the album, which inspired it's creation.

    He'd taken a break from it to go to a club (if I remember right), and met one of his ex-girlfriends by chance, there. They caught up with eachother, talked alot, and Trent found himself feeling things for her all over again. Only to end up being told (by someone else) that she was already with someone. But during their encounter with one another, she'd acted like she was entirely into him. Not saying a word about the "other guy".

    After that, he wrote this song.

    Trent actually talked a bit about it, during an interview a long time ago. He never said exactly that it's exactly the reason this song was made...but he did talk about the above situation, and it really does fit the song, perfectly.

    I do believe that's what it was about.

    halod9on February 27, 2009   Link
  • +8
    General Comment

    unrequited love

    ObamaGoesPostalon March 22, 2012   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    NIN's best song. If you dont agree, go through a break up and listen to this album, this song in particular in a dark rooom and you'll understand EXACTLY what i mean. I think many others will agree with me.

    hamjamon April 19, 2002   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    People may believe this song is a reference to his heroin habbit, but I dont think it is.

    He's not having an internal debate about taking "one last hit" or kicking the habbit.

    He's having an epiphany and he's trying to debate with himselve, whether or not he should kill himself and he recalls to a time in his life that was happy, whilst making a reference to the fact he has little things to go on in the present. When he reflects upon his life, he feels angered that he's not as happy as he used to be and he knows that he has only one real shot at making things work.

    Hezzyon August 11, 2011   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    I love how this song can be brutal yet moving at the same time. Interesting.

    FaaipDeOaidon February 07, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This is one of the most beautiful songs that I've ever heard. I'm completely unfamiliar with Nine Inch Nails, and I decided to introduce myself to them via this website - read the lyrics and choose those that I liked best, then download the song and see if I like the way those lyrics were set to music. I was blown away by this song. God. It's gorgeous.

    myfavoriteunderwearon February 01, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    its probably been mentioned, but I'm pretty sure this song is about Trent in highschool where he really loved a girl for a couple of years, but he never really got to know her and just kind of obsessed over her, as an adult he regrets not doing something about it and it still tears him apart...

    shenmue4lifeon April 18, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    wow, this is a great song. I have just listened to it for the first time cause i\'m a new NIN fan ever since i got [with_teeth] last saturday and man is trent a genius! this song is beautiful, and i completely relate to it, a must to anyone who loves not just rock but music

    Soldier1288on May 08, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    its quite obvious to me that this is about a guy who's obsessed with another girl and cant seem to stop thinking about her. "i'm starting to scare myself" probably means that the guy is alarmed at his behavior. pretty much every line alludes to his obsession in one way or another, but that's just my take on it.

    pepsipwnage1on May 23, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Oh my god, Trent Reznor has a BEAUTIFUL voice! This song is sooo pretty and Trent did a GREAT job on this song.

    ChildOfAcidon May 30, 2002   Link

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