Meaning and Lyrics of If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes
Song Lyrics meaning of If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes
About Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes burst onto the music scene as a fresh-faced Canadian pop prodigy in 2014, armed with an acoustic guitar and a handful of Vine covers. Born in 1998 in Pickering, Ontario, Mendes quickly became the poster boy for millennial heartthrobs, blending soulful vocals with pop sensibilities.
His self-titled third album, released in 2018, marked a shift towards a more mature sound, showcasing his growth as both a songwriter and vocalist. The single “If I Can’t Have You” dropped in 2019, a catchy, upbeat track that perfectly encapsulates Mendes’ brand of earnest pop with a dash of R&B influence.
Mendes has racked up an impressive list of accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations and several Juno Awards. His evolution from teen idol to respected artist has been marked by collaborations with industry heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello, the latter resulting in the smash hit “Señorita”.
Despite his meteoric rise, Mendes has been open about his struggles with anxiety, using his platform to advocate for mental health awareness. This vulnerability, coupled with his undeniable talent, has cemented his place as one of pop’s most relatable and enduring stars.
His self-titled third album, released in 2018, marked a shift towards a more mature sound, showcasing his growth as both a songwriter and vocalist. The single “If I Can’t Have You” dropped in 2019, a catchy, upbeat track that perfectly encapsulates Mendes’ brand of earnest pop with a dash of R&B influence.
Mendes has racked up an impressive list of accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations and several Juno Awards. His evolution from teen idol to respected artist has been marked by collaborations with industry heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello, the latter resulting in the smash hit “Señorita”.
Despite his meteoric rise, Mendes has been open about his struggles with anxiety, using his platform to advocate for mental health awareness. This vulnerability, coupled with his undeniable talent, has cemented his place as one of pop’s most relatable and enduring stars.
Meaning of If I Can't Have You by Shawn Mendes
“If I Can’t Have You” by Shawn Mendes is a poignant song that delves into the theme of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. The lyrics express a deep sense of longing, desire, and a feeling of incompleteness when the narrator is not with the person they love.
The chorus sets the tone for the entire song, highlighting the all-consuming nature of the love the narrator feels. The repetition of the line “Everything means nothing if I can’t have you” emphasizes the idea that nothing else in the world matters if they cannot be with their loved one.
In the first verse, the narrator paints a picture of physical distance from the person they love, despite being in a bustling city like Toronto. The imagery of being in a hotel room and feeling consumed by thoughts of the other person creates a sense of isolation and longing.
The pre-chorus reveals the internal struggle the narrator faces in trying to keep their distance emotionally while yearning for the person they miss. The admission that everything feels insignificant without the loved one reflects the intense emotional attachment and dependency.
The second verse delves deeper into the internal conflict of the narrator, acknowledging the challenges of moving on while still being connected to the person through communication. The desire for a complete and unconditional love, expressed through the line “I want all of you, all the strings attached,” showcases the depth of their emotions.
The bridge conveys a conflicting sentiment of trying to move on from the past but finding it difficult to let go of the memories and emotions attached to the person they love. The repetition of “everything means nothing” emphasizes the emptiness and void that is felt in the absence of the loved one.
Overall, “If I Can’t Have You” is a heart-wrenching exploration of the complexities of love, longing, and the conflicting emotions that arise when two hearts are not in sync. The song captures the universal feelings of yearning and desperation that accompany unfulfilled love, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of not being able to have the person they desire.
The chorus sets the tone for the entire song, highlighting the all-consuming nature of the love the narrator feels. The repetition of the line “Everything means nothing if I can’t have you” emphasizes the idea that nothing else in the world matters if they cannot be with their loved one.
In the first verse, the narrator paints a picture of physical distance from the person they love, despite being in a bustling city like Toronto. The imagery of being in a hotel room and feeling consumed by thoughts of the other person creates a sense of isolation and longing.
The pre-chorus reveals the internal struggle the narrator faces in trying to keep their distance emotionally while yearning for the person they miss. The admission that everything feels insignificant without the loved one reflects the intense emotional attachment and dependency.
The second verse delves deeper into the internal conflict of the narrator, acknowledging the challenges of moving on while still being connected to the person through communication. The desire for a complete and unconditional love, expressed through the line “I want all of you, all the strings attached,” showcases the depth of their emotions.
The bridge conveys a conflicting sentiment of trying to move on from the past but finding it difficult to let go of the memories and emotions attached to the person they love. The repetition of “everything means nothing” emphasizes the emptiness and void that is felt in the absence of the loved one.
Overall, “If I Can’t Have You” is a heart-wrenching exploration of the complexities of love, longing, and the conflicting emotions that arise when two hearts are not in sync. The song captures the universal feelings of yearning and desperation that accompany unfulfilled love, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of not being able to have the person they desire.
Lyrics of If I Can't Have You by Shawn Mendes
Chorus
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?
Verse 1
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
Pre-Chorus
Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance
I know that you're the feeling I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothing if I can't have you
Chorus
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?
Verse 2
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
Pre-Chorus
Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance
I know that you're the feeling I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothing if I can't have you
Chorus
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 thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
Bridge
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
Chorus
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? (Can't have you)
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking 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?
Verse 1
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
Pre-Chorus
Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance
I know that you're the feeling I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothing if I can't have you
Chorus
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?
Verse 2
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
Pre-Chorus
Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance
I know that you're the feeling I'm missing
You know that I hate to admit it
But everything means nothing if I can't have you
Chorus
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 thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
Bridge
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
Chorus
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? (Can't have you)
I can't write one song that's not about you
Can't drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can't have you?
Discography Shawn Mendes
Wonder (Deluxe)
Release: 2020-12-07
Label: Shawn Mendes LP4-5 PS/ Island
Popularity: 👏👏
Wonder (Holiday Deluxe)
Release: 2020-12-05
Label: Shawn Mendes LP4-5 PS/ Island
Popularity: 👏👏
Wonder
Release: 2020-12-04
Label: Shawn Mendes LP4-5 PS/ Island
Popularity: 👏👏
Upcoming Events for Shawn Mendes
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SHAWN MENDES - 2024-07-07
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Wonder (Deluxe)
Release: 2020-12-07
Label: Shawn Mendes LP4-5 PS/ Island
Popularity: 👏👏
Wonder (Holiday Deluxe)
Release: 2020-12-05
Label: Shawn Mendes LP4-5 PS/ Island
Popularity: 👏👏
Wonder
Release: 2020-12-04
Label: Shawn Mendes LP4-5 PS/ Island
Popularity: 👏👏👏
