I Can't Love You Back

Album: Easton Corbin (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Carson Chamberlain, Clint Daniels and Jeff Hyde penned song has a universal message of loss. Corbin said: "When I heard the melody, I thought, 'that's a hit.' The song can mean different things for different people. She could have died, she could have left him—people can interpret it the way they feel."
  • The song was released as Corbin's third single. Easton was asked by The Boot what drew him to this ballad, when its a few paces off from his first two singles? "I've always loved sad songs," the singer explained. "For me, that's what Country music is all about. I didn't make it a point to make this a different direction. This song just happened to be. It's the only ballad on the record, and I love the song."
  • The song's music video was directed by Shaun Silva and tells the storyline backwards, starting with the woman in the car, and finally making her way to the bedroom. It could be argued that it brings the story to a close, but Easton doesn't agree. "I think it's still open ended," he told The Boot. "She could have been leaving the guy or she could have been just going to work and got run over by a truck. Anything can happen."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.