I Can't Do That Anymore
Breaking Free: Rediscovering Independence in Love
Lyrics
Cut my hair the way you wanted
Cutting her hair as per someone else's wishes
Watched you become important
Witnessing the partner's rise in importance
Quit my job to make our new home far away
Quitting her job to move for their relationship
Now you're Mr. Successful and I'm queen of the treadmill
Partner's success contrasted with her treadmill routine, feeling unnoticed
Trying to stay the size you think that I should stay
Struggling to maintain a specific physical appearance for the partner
I used to dream about what I would be
Previously dreaming about her aspirations
Last night I dreamed about a washing machine
Now dreaming about mundane household chores, indicative of lost dreams
I keep on giving
Continuing to give in the relationship
But I can't stop living
Unable to cease her own life for the sake of the relationship
A woman needs a little something of her own
Expressing the need for personal identity within the relationship
I like happy endings
Desiring positive, fulfilling conclusions
I don't like depending
Disliking dependence on the partner
I keep right on pretending
Continuing to pretend but feeling unable to do so
But I can't do that anymore
Reaching a breaking point, unable to continue the pretense
Now you say I'm being silly
Partner dismissing her concerns as silly
But you don't know me really
Feeling misunderstood and unheard by the partner
You never take the time to ask me how I feel
Partner's lack of inquiry into her emotions
I keep the checkbook balanced
Managing household finances for the partner
I decorate your palace
Decorating and maintaining the partner's home
You know I used to think that you were king
Her previous perception of the partner as a figure of authority
Somewhere down deep I know you really love me
Believing in the partner's love but feeling unfulfilled
But you can't see that what we have's not all I needed
Realizing their relationship lacks essential aspects she needs
I keep on giving
Continuing to offer herself in the relationship
But I can't stop living
Unable to sacrifice her own life entirely
A woman needs a little something of her own
Asserting the necessity for personal fulfillment within the relationship
I like happy endings
Desiring positive, fulfilling conclusions
I don't like depending
Disliking dependency on the partner
I keep right on pretending
Continuing to pretend despite inner conflict
But I can't do that anymore
Reaching a breaking point, unable to continue pretending
You try to tell me I'm not being fair to you
Partner accusing her of being unfair while she values her own happiness
But life's too short for a selfish attitude
Emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment in life
I keep on giving
Continuing to give in the relationship
But I can't stop living
Unable to sacrifice her own life entirely
A woman needs a little something of her own
Asserting the necessity for personal fulfillment within the relationship
I like happy endings
Desiring positive, fulfilling conclusions
I don't like depending
Disliking dependency on the partner
I keep right on pretending
Continuing to pretend despite inner conflict
But I can't do that anymore
Reaching a breaking point, unable to continue pretending
I can't do that anymore
Concluding inability to continue the previous behaviors
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