Because Of You -- 98 Degrees

"Because of You," by 98 Degrees

Released: 1998

Song sentiment: I wish you would agree to resume our failed relationship because you were an important, positive aspect of my life.

Original lyrics in blue
Analyzed lyrics in black

CHORUS

It's all, it's all, it's all ... You're my sunshine after the rain. You're the cure against my fear and my pain. 'Cause I'm losing my mind when you're not around. It's all, it's all, it's all because of you.

You are not only a source of warmth and comfort in the wake of gloomy and unpleasant circumstances beyond my control, but also you have transformative qualities that undo the remnants of said gloom. You either prevent or relieve my phobias and physical discomfort -- perhaps you do both; it's not entirely clear. This is due to the fact that when you live independently, I become mentally unstable and perhaps even insane, and all of this is due to the fact that you exist.

VERSE 1

Baby, I really know by now, since we met that day, you showed me the way. I felt it, and you gave me love; I can't describe how much I feel for you. I said baby I should have known by now, should have been right there whenever you needed love. And if only you were here, I'd tell you, yes, I'd tell you, oh yeah.

Certainly I want to assure you that I'm now completely aware that since we made each other's acquaintance, you've been some type of guide or counselor in my life. Your affections, or perhaps simply your willingness to engage in various sexual activities with me, had an emotional impact on me, and I find it impossible to articulate the extent of that impact. As I've previously explained, I ought to have acquired some sort of awareness by this point, and it would have been advisable to have been in your vicinity when you could have used affection (or sex). If you were where I am presently, I would remind you of the following:

(CHORUS)

VERSE 2

Honestly, could it be with me like it was before, neither less nor more? 'Cause when I close my eyes at night I realize that no one else could ever take your place. I still can feel, and it's so real, when you're touching me, kisses endlessly. It's just a place in the sun where our love's begun. I miss you, yes, I miss you.

Please be candid when answering this question: Could our present relationship resemble the one we had? And when I say resemble, I don't mean surpass or come short of. I ask this because whenever I try to go to sleep, it occurs to me that you're irreplaceable. Furthermore, even though you're not physically touching me, I'm able to tap into a sensation -- both real and unreal, oddly -- that you are touching me in a manner that will never cease. This sensation, or perhaps our relationship in general, has some claim to an unshaded land area, either literally or metaphorically at the aforementioned place of our introduction. I would prefer it if we were still together.

(CHORUS)

BRIDGE

If I knew how to tell you what's on my mind, make you understand, then I'd always be there, right by your side.

If I had better oral communication skills, or perhaps if you were less dense, I could express my thoughts in a way that you could understand them, and consequently I would spend the rest of time next to you.

(CHORUS)