☝️ Key Points
- The song 'Like I Can' is about unrequited love and the desire to love someone better than their current partner.
- Sam Smith presents different scenarios in which the current partner appears in different roles, but emphasizes that this partner can never love the person as much as they do.
- The singer offers their heart and soul as an alternative and questions why the loved person only sees one way.
- Smith recognizes the flaws and demons they both have, and emphasizes their love and acceptance for the loved person's demons.
- The song is an emotional message that no one can love the loved person as they do.
Interpretation
The song 'Like I Can' by
Sam Smith is about the deep feelings of the singer towards a person who is in a relationship with someone else. The message of the song is that no one can love this person like he can.
The singer presents different scenarios in which the current partner of the loved person appears in different roles: 'He could be a sinner, or a gentleman... He could be your preacher, when your soul is down... He could be your lawyer on a witness stand...' („He could be a sinner, or a gentleman... He could be your preacher, when your soul is down... He could be your lawyer on a witness stand...“). But no scenario changes the fact that this man will never be able to love her like he can.
Furthermore, the singer questions why the loved person only sees one road („Why are you looking down only one road“) and offers his heart and soul as an alternative („Mine is the heart, the soul for your soul“). He acknowledges that there may be other lovers reaching out their hands, but he emphasizes time and time again that no one can love her like he can („He'll never love you like I can, can, can“).
The song lyrics also address the difficulties and challenges in relationships. Both have demons they can't handle („We both have demons, that we can't stand“), but the singer loves her demons, like devils can („I love your demons, like devils can“). This suggests that he is willing to love her with all her flaws and weaknesses.
Overall, 'Like I Can' is an emotional song about unrequited love and the longing to give the loved person what the current partner cannot - a love that is deeper and more sincere.