Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” describes the universal pain associated with unrequited love. Because of her ubiquitous lyrics, her song has been covered by many different artists, with Bon Iver’s cover being my personal favorite.
Raitt opens her song requesting her lover to “turn down” the lights and the bed, beckoning him to sleep, and to also “turn down the voices in her head.” It seems that Raitt has slowly been drifting from her lover, and that she is close to breaking. He has lied and patronized her, and she is slowly going mad, replaying his hurtful words over and over in her head.
She admits “I can’t make you love me,” expressing the theme of the song, and laments that she will fight for his love until the very end. She acknowledges the pain associated with her pursuits, and the potential power she holds in trying to save her relationship. However, she begins to accept that he will not fight back, juxtaposing the power she builds in the verse by saying “I will lay down my heart / feel the power if you want / no you won’t.”
The song continues with her illustrating moments in which she turns a blind eye to his lack of love, hitting the listener hard when she says “I’ll close my eyes / then I won’t see / the love you don’t feel / when you’re holding me.” From this line she begins to regain the strength needed to leave the relationship she has invested so much emotion into, giving herself until morning to “give up this fight,” transitioning back into the chorus in which she cries again “I can’t make you love me.”
Within the bridge of the song she is finalizing her defeat, how “I can’t just make you love me,” repeating “I can’t” to remind herself that it is over. She closes the song acknowledging the trials of her pursuit, and despite how hard she might try, she knows “you won’t” try to make the relationship work.
Raitt’s lyrics are raw and powerful and relatable to anyone who has experienced hurt, making it a great song for lyrical dance. I was first introduced to this song when my high school’s color guard performed it for their floor show. They put on a beautiful show and won undefeated that season, so whenever I listen to the build of Raitt’s song I think of the hard work they put in that year- I like to listen to this song not when I’m heartbroken, but when I miss home. I find Bon Iver’s cover to be the most soothing because of his integration with the piano. Take a listen to him singing- you can hear distinct pain in his voice, even more strongly than Raitt sang in her original.
Work Cited
Raitt, Bonnie. I Can’t Make You Love Me. Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, 1991.YouTube.com. Web. 01
Feb. 2015.
“”I Can’t Make You Love Me” Lyrics.” TANK LYRICS. Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, n.d. Web. 01 Feb.
2015.
lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/tank/icantmakeyouloveme.html
Kim, I really love your interpretation of this song. I actually just wrote the last reflection on the original version. Bon Iver’s performance is incredibly moving because as a listener I can also feel the hurt that he is experiencing. It’s so powerful that I actually have a knot in my stomach just from listening to it.
Hey Gurl Hey,
LOL! I adore this song and you gurlie haha. Do have to agree Bon Iver had the best version even beating out Adele in my case. I do agree that this song speaks about unrequited love and the ability for someone to love even though all love is lost with that other person. This song is truly powerful and I loved your reflection on it. 😀 😛
Great web site you have here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Karya Bintang Abadi
I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people. 私人補習
The article you have shared here very awesome. I really like and appreciated your work. I read deeply your article, the points you have mentioned in this article are useful 物理補習班
I needed to thank you for this incredible read!! I unquestionably adored each and every piece of it. I have you bookmarked your site to look at the new stuff you post. 籠車
Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging 不鏽鋼
Your article is extremely helpful exceptionally fascinating subject i am looking that sort of post thank for imparting to us keep it up. Langtang Trekking
I am happy to find your perceived technique for forming the post. Directly you make it basic for me to grasp and complete the thought. Thankful to you for the post. 硬筆書法班
pleasant post, stay aware of this fascinating work. It truly regards realize that this subject is being secured likewise on this site so cheers for setting aside time to talk about this! https://carxmax.com/index.php/2024/02/20/service-def-system-see-dealer/
Hi there terrific blog! Does running a blog like this take a massive amount work? I’ve absolutely no expertise in coding but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject but I just needed to ask. Many thanks! 硬筆書法班
Awesome things you’ve generally imparted to us. Simply continue written work this sort of posts.The time which was squandered in going for educational cost now it can be utilized for studies.Thanks 訂造不銹鋼
Great website you have here. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours these days. Thank you for your articles. I find them very helpful. I really appreciate people like you! Take care and have a great day ahead!!
Karya Bintang Abadi
You have worked admirably on this article. It’s truly decipherable and exceptionally keen. You have even figured out how to make it justifiable and simple to peruse. You have some genuine composition ability. Much obliged to you. 英文寫作班推薦
For a long time me & my friend were searching for informative blogs, but now I am on the right place guys, you have made a room in my heart! Eugenia Amador
I truly welcome this superb post that you have accommodated us. I guarantee this would be valuable for the vast majority of the general population. Phy 補習班
I really like your blog. Great article. It’s most evident, people should learn before they are able to login siaga4d
wow this good but ,I like your post and good pics may be any peoples not like because defrent mind all poeple , Brian Chee
wow this good but ,I like your post and good pics may be any peoples not like because defrent mind all poeple , link alternatif sihoki
Your post is very helpful to get some effective tips to reduce weight properly. You have shared various nice photos of the same. I would like to thank you for sharing these tips. Surely I will try this at home. Keep updating more simple tips like this. 不鏽鋼
Excellent line up. We will probably be linking to this great article on our web site. Keep up the great creating. 長者書法班
Its an incredible joy perusing your post.Its brimming with data I am searching for and I want to post a remark that “The substance of your post is marvelous” Great work. 不鏽鋼
Looking for reliable “used tyres” in Harlow? Visit our tyre shop to explore our inventory of pre-owned tyres. Each tyre undergoes rigorous inspection to ensure safety and performance, offering a cost-effective option for your vehicle. Find quality used tyres at our shop in Harlow. Brakepads replace Harlow
Keep your vehicle safe and roadworthy with regular MOT testing at AR Service Centre in Farnborough. MOT MOTORHOME Ash vale
Make a meaningful impact in your community by exploring civil service jobs near you on JobZee. With opportunities in various government agencies and departments, find roles that align with your values and commitment to public service. Jobs near me
I discovered your site ideal for me. It consists of wonderful and useful posts. I’ve read many of them and also got so much from them. In my experience, you do the truly amazing.Truly i’m impressed out of this publish Mardi Himal Trek
Great post full of useful tips! My site is fairly new and I am also having a hard time getting my readers to leave comments. Analytics shows they are coming to the site but I have a feeling “nobody wants to be first”. 戒名彫り
Incredible posting this is from you. I am really and truly thrilled to read this marvelous post. You’ve really impressed me today. I hope you’ll continue to do so! 屋根葺き替え
Thank you for the information.
For those of you who want to know about the viral slot game site that gives members winnings or a total jackpot of 250-500 million paid in full in a matter of minutes.
Visit the website below for further information.
https://tehranjob.com/
Thank you for the information.
The site with the most complete slots and lottery in Asia, provides the biggest bonuses and is definitely very reliable, for further information please visit the website below.
https://suzanneschlosberg.com/
Thank you for the information.
For all friends who are looking for Indonesia’s Largest Official Online Togel Bookie site, you can visit the website below.
https://moodgroove.com/
Thank you for the information.
For friends who are looking for an online slot site with a money back guarantee every week in all games, for further information please visit the website below.
.https://goodday69.com/
Thank you for the information.
For friends who are looking for an online slot site with a money back guarantee every week in all games, for further information please visit the website below.
https://asianewshere.net/
Thank you for the information.
JamuSlot – Land lottery agent with live Macau lottery market, enjoy various attractive promotions available and get very accurate lottery number predictions.
https://startcoengineering.com/
Thank you for the information.
JamuSlot – Tergacor online slot link 2024, enjoy the various attractive promos available and get very accurate lottery number predictions. For further information please visit the website below
https://daveandryan.com/
Thank you for the information.
For friends who are looking for a Sensational Gacor Site that has given many wins, you can visit the website below.
https://tabooblogs.info/
Thank you for the information.
For friends who are looking for a Sensational Gacor Site that has given many wins, you can visit the website below.
https://tabooblogs.info/
Thank you for the information.
The following are recommendations for the Sensational Gacor Site
Trusted #1 which has given many wins. For proof of JPs please visit the website below.
https://howtowriteseo.com/
Thank you for the information.
Sites with Super Gacor RTP which have Super Gacor accuracy levels, get Black Scatter Links, leading features that are very Viral. Visit the website below for further information.
https://ojotechnology.com/
Thank you for the information.
Play with different sensations, giving you the best experience in every game you play,
Please visit the website below for more information.
https://bestseoskills.com/
Thank you for the information.
Myanmar Server Slot Link Pro Big Maxwin account
play with different sensations, giving you the best experience in every game you play,
Please visit the website below for more information.
https://anyyardsale.com/
Thank you for the information.
Trusted Togel Bookie with the Most Complete Market
play with different sensations, giving you the best experience in every game you play,
Please visit the website below for more information.
https://abitaresubito.com/
Thank you for the information.
For friends who are looking for recommendations for slot games that are currently popular today, you can visit the website below.
https://kexpros.com/
Thank you for the information.
The following are recommendations for the Best Official Roulette Bookie 2024, providing the most complete games and the best providers that give you comfort and satisfaction in playing, visit the website below for further information.
https://anoosy.com/