Can’t Help It by Michael Jackson Lyrics Meaning – The Uncontrollable Nature of Love
Lyrics
Took me by surprise
I can’t help but see you
Running often through my mind
Helpless like a baby
Sensual disguise
I can’t help but love you
It’s getting better all the time
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it, no
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it, no
Love to run my fingers
Softly while you sigh
Love came and possessed you
Bringing sparkles to your eyes
Like a trip to heaven
Heaven is the prize
And I’m so glad I found you, yeah
You’re an angel in disguise
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it, no
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it, no
And I’m so glad I found you, yeah
You’re an angel in disguise
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it, no
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it, no
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
Wouldn’t help it, no, no
I can’t help it if I wanted to
I wouldn’t help it even if I could
I can’t help it if I wanted to
Wouldn’t help it, no, no, no
The richness of Michael Jackson’s ‘Can’t Help It’ lies not only within its smooth, funky rhythm but also in the verbal tapestry he weaves, depicting the untamed and irresistible force of love. Within the sleek production and Jackson’s sublime vocals, there unfolds a story of undeniable passion, an introspective revelation that continues to captivate listeners.
The song, from his critically acclaimed album ‘Off The Wall’, reflects a moment in Jackson’s career where his artistic expression was maturing, and his understanding of love and desire was becoming more profound. When dissecting the lyrics, it’s evident that Jackson encapsulates the entire spectrum of enchantment that one experiences when love is not a choice, but a powerful, overwhelming destiny.
A Reflection in the Mirror: The Moment of Realization
Opening with ‘Looking in my mirror, took me by surprise,’ Michael Jackson introduces a moment of self-discovery, a point where the protagonist encounters a truth that they can no longer avoid. It’s a deep acknowledgment of emotions that have been there, unrecognized or unaccepted, suddenly coming into sharp, unavoidable focus.
The mirror serves as a catalyst for this realization, forcing the protagonist to confront their feelings. It’s a powerful image that suggests that sometimes understanding comes from within, rather than from external influences, and Jackson masterfully uses this metaphor to launch the narrative of his song.
The Inescapable Grip of Love: ‘I can’t help but love you’
The chorus ‘I can’t help it if I wanted to, I wouldn’t help it even if I could,’ serves as the spine of the song, a mantra that speaks to the inability to control one’s feelings. Michael Jackson conveys the helplessness that often accompanies love, the sentiment that no matter what one wants or what one knows might be more cautious, love has its own agenda and will not be ignored or redirected.
Furthermore, the repeated nature of the chorus emphasizes the cyclical, persistent nature of this sentiment, echoing how these thoughts keep coming back, relentlessly and without permission. Jackson’s intimate acknowledgment of surrender to these feelings turns ‘Can’t Help It’ into an anthem for all those who have found themselves at the mercy of love.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Angel Disguised
When Michael Jackson sings of an ‘angel in disguise,’ he’s tapping into the timeless theme of serendipity in love – the idea that something extraordinary can be hidden within the ordinary. It’s the hidden meaning within these lyrics that resonates deeply with listeners: we often find the most profound emotions and connections when we least expect them.
The phrase also speaks to the transformative power of love, how it can take someone ordinary in the eyes of the world and place them on a pedestal of reverence in the heart of the lover. This hidden meaning elevates the song from a simple confession to a deeper, almost spiritual level of insight.
Unforgettable Lines: ‘Love to run my fingers, softly while you sigh’
In these lyrics, Jackson is not just talking about physical affection; he’s sketching out an entire scene that is charged with tenderness and intimacy. The sensory detail elevates the song into a more tactile experience and underlines the deep connection between the two souls entwined in the narrative.
It’s a line that pulls listeners into the moment, inviting them to recall their own experiences of closeness and the sweetness of love’s physical manifestations. The memorable line captures the human craving for contact and the solace that can be found therein.
A Musical Journey Into the Soul
‘Can’t Help It’ is not just a verbose articulation of a feeling; it’s also a sonic landscape that transports the listener. Jackson’s use of his voice as an instrument in itself, weaving through the rhythms and the rest of the orchestration, paints a canvas that is just as rich and evocative as the words themselves.
The melody carries the weight of the emotions expressed in the lyrics, and in Jackson’s capable hands and voice, the tune becomes a vessel for conveying the complexities of a love that is both blissful and overwhelming. The song remains a touching reminder of the power of music to articulate the intricacies of the human experience.
