If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes Lyrics Meaning – Untangling the Threads of Unrequited Love

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Shawn Mendes's if I can't have you at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?

I’m in Toronto and I got this view
But I might as well be in a hotel room, yeah
It doesn’t matter ’cause I’m so consumed
Spending all my nights reading texts from you

Oh, I’m good at keepin’ my distance
I know that you’re the feelin’ I’m missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothin’ if I can’t have you

I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?
I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?

I’m so sorry that my timing’s off
But I can’t move on if we’re still gonna talk
Is it wrong for me to not want half?
I want all of you, all the strings attached

Oh, I’m good at keepin’ my distance
I know that you’re the feelin’ I’m missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothin’ if I can’t have you

I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?
I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?

I’m trying to move on
Forget you, but I hold on
Everything means nothing
Everything means nothing, babe
I’m trying to move on
Forget you, but I hold on
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you, no

I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?
I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?

Shawn Mendes’s hit ‘If I Can’t Have You’ is more than just a catchy ballad; it’s a lyrical labyrinth that reflects the complexity of modern love and longing. Through its upbeat tempo and passionate delivery, Mendes conveys a universal experience of desire that’s as intoxicating as it is heartrending.

Upon a closer listen, one can untangle the threads that weave together to form the tapestry of this pop anthem’s meaning. The song is a profound look into the struggles of a heart that can’t seem to break free from the hold of unrequited love. Here, we delve into the depths of Mendes’s confessional to discover the hidden layers beneath the pop sheen.

An Ode to the One that Got Away: Absence Fueling Desire

At its core, ‘If I Can’t Have You’ echoes the sentiment of unfulfilled desire. Mendes captures a sense of longing made more potent by the absence of the object of his affections. With the imagery of a solitary experience in ‘Toronto’, he paints the relatable picture of physical spaces made empty by emotional voids.

The bittersweet realization that the world feels vacant without that special someone emphasizes the song’s central theme—love’s irrefutable power to eclipse all other aspects of life. It magnifies the emptiness that looms large when one is grappling with the frustrating reality of one-sided love.

The Unspoken Weight of Lyrics: When Words Fail to Heal

Each lyric stands as a testament to the struggle of expressing feelings when timing conspires against you. ‘I’m so sorry that my timing’s off,’ Mendes sings, acknowledging how love is not only about feeling but also about the timing of those emotions.

The raw vulnerability of admitting to being consumed by thoughts of another to the point of being creatively stifled shows just how deeply love can affect one’s entire being. It’s a confession of love’s disruptive power over every facet of life—even Mendes’s artistry as a musician.

The Underbelly of Pop Perfection: Exploring the Song’s Hidden Meaning

‘I want all of you, all the strings attached,’ Mendes professes, contradicting the common fear of commitment that threads through the fabric of contemporary dating culture. His transparency here reveals the depth of his yearning for an all-encompassing, unconditional love.

There’s an underlying counter-narrative to the popular concept of ‘no-strings-attached,’ as Mendes unabashedly admits that superficial connections are no substitute for the depth of true emotional attachment. This honesty serves as a refreshing take on contemporary relationships, highlighting Mendes’s desire for something more meaningful.

A Symphony of Heartstrings: Memorable Lines that Resonate

The chorus, a powerful repetition that drives the song’s message home, leaves listeners with no doubt about the weight of the lyrics. ‘Everything means nothing if I can’t have you’ becomes a resonant cry for anyone who’s ever found everything else meaningless in the absence of the person they love.

The simplicity of the statement, paired with its melodious delivery, ensures its place among those lyrics that echo in the chambers of listeners’ hearts long after the song ends. It encapsulates the emotionally charged essence of the song and solidifies the expression of genuine devotion.

Eternal Echoes of Unrequited Love: The Timelessness of Mendes’s Message

While the musical landscape continually evolves, the theme of love—especially the one that remains just beyond grasp—remains a timeless subject. Mendes has managed to immortalize a very specific emotional snapshot through ‘If I Can’t Have You,’ ensuring that it resonates with the lovesick souls of both present and future listeners.

His ability to capture the highs of love’s promise and the lows of its elusiveness with such candor is what elevates this track beyond the ephemeral pop hit to a piece that holds a mirror up to the complexities of the human heart. In the end, Mendes doesn’t just sing a song; he sings the human condition.