☝️ Key Points
- The song 'If I Can't Have You' by Shawn Mendes is about deep, unrequited, or complicated feelings towards a special person.
- He admits that he can't stop thinking about this person, no matter what he does, where he is, or what he sees.
- Despite his ability to maintain emotional distance, he acknowledges that this person is the feeling he's missing.
- He wants everything from this person, not just parts or moments.
- The song's lyrics depict his internal struggles and the feeling of desperation when he tries to forget and move on, but he can't.
Interpretation
The song 'If I Can't Have You' by
Shawn Mendes is about deep feelings he has for a special person. He can't stop thinking about her no matter what he does or where he is. 'I'm in Toronto and I got this view, but I might as well be in a hotel room' shows that no spectacular view or place can distract his thoughts from her. He says he's good at keeping his distance ('Oh, I'm good at keeping my distance'), but he knows she's the feeling he's missing ('I know that you're the feeling I'm missing').
This is a song about unrequited love or a complicated romantic situation where he wants her completely ('I want all of you, all the strings attached') and not just a part of her.
He admits it's hard for him to admit that his life doesn't make sense without her ('Everything means nothing if I can't have you'). The song lyrics show his inner struggles and the feeling of desperation when he tries to forget her and move on, but he can't ('I'm trying to move on, forget you, but I hold on'). He's caught in an emotional dilemma and this song is his expression of those deep feelings and emotions.