Reachin' for Something I Can't Have
Unrequited Longing: Love's Painful Pursuit in 'Reachin' for Something I Can't Have'
Lyrics
(Got me reachin', reachin', you got me reachin', reachin')
Expressing the act of reaching out, possibly emotionally or physically.
Reachin' for somethin' I can't have, though it may cause me pain
Yearning for something that is unattainable, despite the potential for pain.
Needing his love so much till only hurt remains
Desiring love intensely, even when it leads to lingering emotional pain.
Standing high on society hill, a voice calls out to me
Being in an elevated social position when a voice from a loved one reaches out.
From a boy I love & need so much, he says he's not for me
Receiving a message from a beloved person stating they are not suitable for a relationship.
'Cause I live up & he lives down, on the poor side of town
Highlighting the social and economic gap between the speaker and the loved one.
But still I'm reachin', reachin'; I can't help reachin', reachin'
Continuing to reach out despite challenges or obstacles.
'Cause he tells me he has nothin' & his place is not with me
The loved one claims to have nothing and believes they don't belong with the speaker.
His pride keeps him away, but still I love him more each day
The loved one's pride keeps them apart, but the speaker's love persists.
So I'll keep...
Indicating an intention to persist despite difficulties.
Reachin' for somethin' I can't have, though it may cause me pain
Reiteration of the theme of reaching for the unattainable despite potential pain.
Needing his love so much till only hurt remains
Reiterating the intense need for love despite the resulting hurt.
He says he cannot give me all the things a rich man can
The loved one acknowledges their inability to provide material wealth.
"Stay on your hill & don't look down; forget our love began"
Advising the speaker to stay in their social position and forget the love they shared.
& even though he loves me so, he must let me go
The loved one, though loving the speaker, feels compelled to let them go.
But still I'm reachin', reachin'; I can't help reachin', reachin'
Despite the circumstances, the speaker continues to reach out.
For a boy who cannot give me nothin' but his love
Expressing the paradox of reaching for love despite the loved one's lack of material wealth.
But he's everything I need & I've got to make him see
Believing the loved one is everything the speaker needs and trying to make them see that.
So I'll keep...
Continuing the effort to reach for the unattainable.
Reachin' for somethin' I can't have, though it may cause me pain
Reiterating the theme of reaching for something unattainable with awareness of potential pain.
Needing his love so much till only hurt remains
Emphasizing the intense need for love despite the inevitable hurt.
I need him & I want him & I don't care if he has nothing
Expressing a willingness to accept the loved one even if they have nothing.
Just to have him close to me, that's all I ever need
Desiring closeness with the loved one as the only essential need.
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