Elliott Smith – I Can't Answer You Anymore

Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki.
Send "I Can't Answer You Anymore" Ringtone to Cell

Something came from nothing today
While I was saying no
So don't you knock on my door
Because I can't answer you anymore

Absence makes the heart grow far
Staying away from the people
Was a question before
But I can't answer you anymore

Stepped to the scene where we'd meet
And wrote a song
I did everything right for somebody
That does everything wrong

So I go from coast to coast
Over the Hawthorne Bridge
To the one I adore
You asked me what I'm looking for
But I can't answer you anymore
No, I can't answer you anymore

Send "I Can't Answer You Anymore" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus, edited by ghost06


I Can't Answer You Anymore song meanings
Add your thoughts

11 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment:For me it's about a girl who can't make a choice if she wants to be with the man or not! And while she's deciding this boy come cooler for his feeling for her.

    I like this line:
    "Absence makes the heart grow far" It's just so true!!

    Flag Suntearon December 10, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:A few months back i posted for "Talking to Mary" about how that song makes me think of Mary in the bible and having faith and how this song was sort of like the "other side" of that- like about doubting. I still feel that way when i hear "Talking to Mary" but i don't think of doubting anymore for this song, although i really like it. Maybe it is about doing your own thing and how space in relationships can be for the best sometimes, whether it is a temporary space to sort of clear your mind and get some point of view or a more permanent space in the case of a toxic relationship.
    Flag 6johnnymac21on November 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I see the "one [he] adores" in a different light:

    I seriously think this is song is about suicide from the perspective of the deceased.

    For some reason I never noticed the inherent ambiguity of the line "Over the Hawthorn Bridge" (the "coast to coast" imagery perhaps?). The way "bridge" is dragged out definitely, for me, evokes a sense of falling.

    It would certainly clarify why he "can't answer you anymore."

    I don't mean to suggest that there is no "romantic" element to the situation being described in the lyrics, but that self-murder was at least a hidden subtext.
    Flag wordsdrawnighon September 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:When I hear this I think of a girl repeatedly leaving or breaking up with him when a guy is in love with her and treating her right (I did everything right for somebody that does everything wrong). He keeps taking her back because he's deeply in love with her. And finally, she leaves him, and stays away for a while (Absence makes the heart grow fond, staying away from people). He gets his head together, and she comes back to him again. But this time it's different, and he can't answer her anymore.
    Flag DMV666on December 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:too ambiguous for me to guess. perhaps about his relationship with his mom, a (ex)girlfriend, addiction, or a combination of the three.
    Flag ohyeahohnoon March 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This is about the despair that you feel when people who you thought were friends turn their back on you or act as if they like you....its like there teasing him always asking him questions that they already know the answer to ' I cant answer you anymore ' its like nothing he could say would satisfy them. Its like hes being toyed with.
    Flag HotRats86on February 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this song is about a relationship that fails
    Flag giv_emhellkidon May 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:for the middle part, its:

    stepped to the scene where we'd meet
    and wrote a song
    i did everything right for somebody that
    does everything wrong

    ...beautiful imagery, kind of like everything means nothing to me
    Flag silentmovieson January 26, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:i think this could about when youre in a relationship with someone, and you take a break.. but during that break, you become more and more disconnected with the other person that you have nothing left to say to them.
    Flag hoydenon November 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:portland*
    Flag lisalynnon January 12, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain