This is one of those songs that gets under your skin. Well, at least it has for me.
I was reflecting on that place where we can sometimes find ourselves, when someone you know is really struggling with life, so much so they are thinking about ending it all.
As a society, we have wrestled with how to talk about this and stumbled over what the right and wrong things are to say because sometimes that drastic action is not about giving up but rather about finding agency. It’s complicated.
It also brings our needs and insecurities to the surface and, hence, this song explores this terrain from an unfiltered perspective of someone feeling completely at a loss over the thought that they might lose someone special despite all the potential and opportunities and support that the person close to them cannot see.
With that background, I think the song is fairly self-explanatory. I don’t want to write a song for you because I only write songs when I am blue and it would not be right to “fake” being sad when I have you with me. And we get a taste of the deepest fear and even selfishness when the singer begs their beloved not to leave them with the job of laying their soul to rest. The singer wants to be the one who goes first.
Despite the emotional turbulence, I hope this song ends on a spirit of hope and encouragement.
If anything in this song does set off some sadness or despair, one good thing about society’s discussion about these topics is that we know there are people ready to be with you:
- Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14, providing 24/7 confidential crisis support for anyone in distress or suicidal crisis. They also have a crisis text service at 0477 13 11 14.
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467, offering 24/7 telephone and online counselling for people at risk of suicide, carers, and those bereaved by suicide.
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636, offering 24/7 telephone support and online chat from trained mental health professionals.
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800, a free, confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978, providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
- StandBy Support After Suicide: 1300 727 247, for support of people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide.
- Other important services include 13YARN for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (13 92 76), QLife for LGBTIQ+ support (1800 184 527), and headspace for young people (1800 650 890).
I Don’t Want To Write A Song For You Raw Notes
I Don’t Want To Write A Song For You Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I don’t want to write a song for you
I only write songs when I’m feeling blue
And it would not be right
While you are in my life
To conjure thoughts of sadness that weren’t true
[Verse 2]
What’s the point of living without you?
When you’re gone that’s when I’ll know I’m through
I know it isn’t fair
To make burdens you must bear
But if you go you know I’m going too
[Chorus]
You have a huge heart
You have a sharp mind
You have a warm laugh
You have a short time
And yes it is hard
And yes we’re all blind
And yes we’re all scarred
And yes that’s not kind
But none of this should lead you to give up
When all of us just want to cover you with love
When all of us just want to wrap you up in love
When all of us just want to smother you in love
[Verse 3]
I can’t laugh if I can’t laugh with you
If left alone then crying’s all I’ll do
The theatre and the play
They would have had their day
I’d barely be the one you thought you knew
[Verse 4}
I don’t want to write a song for you
I only write songs when I’m feeling blue
And it would not be right
While you are in my life
To conjure thoughts of sadness that weren’t true
[Chorus]
You have a huge heart
You have a sharp mind
You have a warm laugh
You have a short time
And yes it is hard
And yes we’re all blind
And yes we’re all scarred
And yes that’s not kind
But none of this should lead you to give up
When all of us just want to cover you with love
When all of us just want to wrap you up in love
When all of us just want to smother you in love
[Bridge]
I’m not meant to think this way
I’m not meant to have my say
But you here in my life has kept me blessed
So now I beg of you
So now I plead with you
Please don’t make me lay your soul to rest
Please don’t make me lay your soul to rest
Please don’t make me lay your soul to rest
[Chorus]
You have a huge heart
You have a sharp mind
You have a warm laugh
You have a short time
And yes it is hard
And yes we’re all blind
And yes we’re all scarred
And yes that’s not kind
But none of this should lead you to give up
When all of us just want to cover you with love
When all of us just want to wrap you up in love
When all of us just want to smother you in love
Listen To I Don’t Want To Write A Song For You