Could I Live Without You

The Story behind the Songs Newsletter Series
August 14, 2004 Issue #23

Could I Live Without You – written by JR Still 1997

I wrote this song while in a relationship that I thought was just about to reach its end. I’d had fallen in love with this person after having shared some very special and memorable moments that I reflect on in the lyrics of the song. All very vivid pictures in my mind that gave way to the title and sentiment of the song, “Could I Live Without You?” After reflecting on it all, I suppose what I was really questioning was whether or not I’d want to live without her. Love!

The opening line of the Chorus puts my heart and mindset right up front, “Could I live without you, I don’t know; I don’t want to find out so please don’t go.” It was a mutual understanding the parting was in both of our best interests but I just didn’t want to let go. Now the lines of reason, justification and down right desperation, “Whatever it is we can work it out that’s what our love is all about” followed by a more poetic plea for reconsideration, “I’d be living a lie and that’s true, if I could live without you.” All real and pure feelings filled with emotions and fear of never falling in love again.

Now, the mental pictures and memories of love, romance and a world filled with wonder, colour and joy as only seen and noticed through the eyes of a person head over heals in love would start to fade, disappear and distort like a film starting to melt when the lamp burns too hot on a frame stuck in time with the lyrics, “There’d be no ocean, skies or eyes of blue; no lovers hand in hand on the beaches of Malibu. I’d never sing another moonlight serenade; sunset silhouettes would just fade away; if I could live without you.”

Of course life would go on but what’s the point if you’re not in love. Now, the truth of the matter is revealed in the bridge; “You’re so much a part of me and all that I do, is it any wonder, I wonder if I could live without you.”

Ain’t being in love grand? :-)

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed the story behind the song. If you’d like other information you can check out the CD credits at www.jamesray.info/cdcredits.html