Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: pop
Song Meaning of “If Only” by Dave Matthews Band
“If only” by Dave Matthews Band speaks of an unrequited love. The song speaks of a man who has been rejected by a woman whom he loves deeply, and speaks of the anguish and sorrow that he has to endure as a result. The man pines for the woman and wishes that things could be different, but realizes that those feelings won’t change anything. He acknowledges that his own feelings won’t impact the situation and that he just has to move on.
The song consists of imagery of a kaleidoscope that reflects all the different colors of love that he had for her. But no matter how many different and beautiful specimens of love he gives her, it will always be futile, as she will never give him the love he desires.
The tone of the song is filled with despair, as the singer desperately wants to keep his love alive, but knows that it is no use. He loves her so deeply yet his feelings will never be requited. In the chorus he sings:
“If only love could crack and shatter
These walls of glass around my heart
If only love could break the barriers
Let me start
East of love, I’m barely smiling
In my dreams you’re still alive
But if only love could break the barriers
I’d love to start again”.
The lyrics convey how the walls that were once around his heart were now made from glass, easily shattered upon contact.