It Can't Be You

**Producer(s)** | Clampitt, Conrad

**It Can't Be You** is a song by Ashe and is the ninth track on her album *Rae*.

It is a fast-paced ballad driven by acoustic guitars and harmonic vocals.

## Meaning

The song is about wanting to be in love with one person and no one else. "[I]t's like, 'what a shame to ever fall in love with anyone but you'" says Ashe.

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

You smell just like childhood

Like running off to Hollywood

Time flies

Summer rays, getting burned

Getting laid for the first time

You were mine

[Pre-Chorus]

Never wanted this to end

I don't know what else to do

I don't wanna love again

Now I know what there's to lose

Said forever on a whim

Should've known it wasn't true

I don't wanna love again

[Chorus]

If it can't be, it can't be you, ooh, ooh

It can't be you, ooh, ooh

[Verse 2]

A jealous heart and sweaty hands

Springtime in Manhattan went so fast

Can't get back

Knew each other so very wеll

Don't wanna learn nobody else

You knеw me better than I knew myself

[Pre-Chorus]

Never wanted this to end

I don't know what else to do

I don't wanna love again

Now I know what there's to lose

Said forever on a whim

Should've known it wasn't true

I don't wanna love again

[Chorus]

If it can't be, it can't be you, ooh, ooh

It can't be you, ooh, ooh

[Bridge]

Who else knows the inner workings of my mind?

The end of all my stories, I

Need to be alone sometimes

Pull my hair before I cry

Careful with these memories

Careful or they'll bury me

If I could go back, then I would

[Pre-Chorus]

Never wanted this to end

I don't know what else to do

I don't wanna love again

Now I know what there's to lose

Said forever on a whim

Should've known it wasn't true

I don't wanna love again

[Chorus]

If it can't be, it can't be you, ooh, ooh

It can't be you, ooh, ooh

[Outro]

It can't be you, ooh, ooh (I don't think I'll ever love again, I don't think I'll ever love without you)

It can't be you, ooh, ooh (I don't think I'll ever love again, I don't think I'll ever love without you)

It can't be you, ooh, ooh (I don't think I'll ever love again, I don't think I'll ever love without you)

It can't be you, ooh, ooh

## Trivia

* "It Can't Be You" is similar to "San Jose" in that the subject only wants to love one person; however, in this song it is romantically, whilst in "San Jose" it is sexually for a one-night-stand.

* In this song, Ashe references California (her home state) in the line "Like running off to Hollywood".
	+ She also does in these other songs: "Another Man's Jeans", "Shower With My Clothes On", "San Jose", "Till Forever Falls Apart", and "Cold In California".

* "It Can't Be You"'s title is contradictory.
	+ "It Can't Be You" implies that that subject isn't wanted/desired; however, the opposite is true, the song is about wanting to love no one else *but* that one person, that they don't want to love anyone if it can't be them.
	+ Other songs with contrasting titles to their theme/lyrics are: "I'm Fine", "Me Without You", "Serial Monogamist", and "Emotional".

* The song references Ashe's ex-husband in the lines "Said forever on a whim/Should've known it wasn't true".
	+ She also does in these other *Rae* songs: "Another Man's Jeans", "Hope You're Not Happy", and "Loose Ends".
	+ And from *Ashlyn*: "Love Is Not Enough", "When I'm Older", "Me Without You", "Save Myself", "Not Mad Anymore", and "Moral Of The Story".

## Navigation

 Rae Tracklist

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr4K19O071c