Radiohead – I Can't

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Send "I Can't" Ringtone to Cell

Please forget the words that I just blurted out
It wasn't me, it was my strange and creeping doubt

It keeps rattling my cage
And there's nothing in this world will keep it down

Even though I might, even thought I try, I can't
Even though I might, even thought I try, I can't

So many things that keep, that keep me underground
So many words that I, that I can never find

If you give up on me now I'll be gutted like I've never been before

And even though I might, even thought I try, I can't
Even though I might, even thought I try, I can't

If you give up on me now I'll be gutted like I've never been before

And even though I might, even thought I try, I can't
Even though I might, even thought I try, I can't
Even though I might, even thought I try, I can't
Even though I might, even thought I try, I can't

Send "I Can't" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by piesupreme

Track duration: 04:13


I Can't song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Seems that the song is about a compulsively jealous boyfriend's realization he's a jerk for being such and shamelessly is asking his ticked off girl to give him a break anyway even though he knows he'll never change, because, "hey, even wankers like me need to be loved."
    Flag mydreamqueston February 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Self doubt..... all men have a little George Costanza in them. And that's what makes us human.
    Flag radiohead99on July 23, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I absolutely love the way this song almost dies out about two-thirds through. Every time I listen to it I have the bass and feedback combination, as it builds back up, stuck in my head for days. Radiohead really put their triple-guitar attack to good work on these earlier songs.
    Flag BuzzingFridgeon June 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I randomly just put this song on a playlist one day and realized just how talented Yorke really is. The beauty in this song is its simplicity. By that I don't mean that it is unoriginal, but just that it isn't over the top, especially since a lot of artists tend to turn to when they are singing about lack of confidence, doubt, etc. But this song sounds like something that somebody would actually feel in this situation.
    I think this song kind of got overshadowed by Creep. It could've become very popular among casual Radiohead fans (like me). Who knows, maybe it will become big.
    Flag antimony220on December 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:One of Radiohead's best songs; I can relate to it being about a lack of self-confidence. An emotional song and very under rated.
    Flag shakermaker123on May 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:wow this (in my opinion) is one of the best radiohead songs its the most played in my iTunes and i think that people should listen to this song and give it a chance.
    Flag On A Fridayon April 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:wow this (in my opinion) is one of the best radiohead songs its the most played in my iTunes and i think that people should listen to this song and give it a chance.
    Flag On A Fridayon April 29, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:it sounds like it's an answer to prove yourself - the title at least - like, it goes 'prove yourself', and then there's an answer with 'i can't'
    that's how i see it anyway, it seems to fit, especially when thom sings 'Please forget the words that I just blurted out
    It wasn't me, it was a strange and creepy doubt - he could be referring to the previous song here.
    Flag N/U/T/T/Y/?on January 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:kind of like a few other songs on Pablo Honey.. this song seems to be saying " i want it but i don't know how... i've tried but i feel hopeless" (i can't). Lack of self-confidence, is the message to me. (he also seems like he does not want to lose someone).
    Flag staceyk8on July 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I Can't ... change what I've said.
    Flag corduroy_boyon July 09, 2006   Link

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