If I Can't Have You
View chords used in this chart
Meat Loaf - If I Can't Have You
CAPO: 2nd Fret
Intro:
C
(# Spoken #)
To say it's love would be too simple, too obvious
It's more like a calling, a vocation
Something I was put on this earth to do
Now I'm shooting with the stars and I'm flying with the angels
G C
And my heartbeat is a symphony, the closer I get to you
F C
I never saw you coming, 'til you came and here you are
F C
I never thought someone would ever dare to come this far
F G
You're up for the resistance and I'm strong in my persistence
And I've never known a remedy like ours
Chorus:
C G F C G F
If I can't have you, if I can't have you
Am Em
I would be a river, dried up into dust
F G
I would be imprisoned for never having loved
F C G C G C
If I can't have you, I don't wanna be me
F C
Then I would be the same man you scraped off the ground
F C
I'd have to go back being, that broken soul you found
F C G
Those days are in the darkness, I buried them with hardness
And I'd have to dig those demons out
C F C
Your life is like an anchor that puts me in my place
F C
No, you won't let me sink, when I'm off losing my way
F C
Thank God for your virtue and the wisdom in your eye
G
'Cause somehow you get through, on all that crazy in my mind
Chorus:
C G F C G F
If I can't have you, if I can't have you
Am Em
I would be a river, dried up into dust
F G
I would be imprisoned for never having loved
F C G C G F C G
If I can't have you, I don't wanna be me
I don't wanna be...
Dm F C G
Why did it take you so long to finally see
Dm F C G
That we had a love that you don't find easily?
Dm F Am G
You broke my heart and the price to pay for that
Dm F Am G F C G
Is you'll have to live the misery of losing what you had_______
F C G C G F
If I can't have you_____
Instrumental: C G F C G F C G F D
Bm G D
Me, my words have come too late
Bm G D
I've already turned that page
G
Don't you look at me that way
Esus4
'Cause you'll throw me back
D
And that's the part I hate
Bm G D
I'll stay trapped inside my hell
Bm G D
Where it's so hot that my walls melt
Bm A
I can hear a promise in every lie
D
You said you'd never tell
Bm G D
If I had only told the truth
Bm G D
Oh, I could never trust you to
A
You'll survive
A G C G
No, I will die_____
D A G D A G
If I can't have you, if I can't have you
D A
Then I'm sorry for the things I cost you in the end
G A
My punishment is more than any man can stand
D A G
I need you in my life
D A G
I can't let go
D A G
Why don't you stay with me, tonight?
G D A G
I feel alone
D A G
Turn off all the lights
G D A G
Take me home
Chorus:
D A G D A G
If I can't have you, if I can't have you
Bm F#m
Then I would be a river, dried up into dust
G A
I would be imprisoned for never having loved
D A G D A G
If I can't have you, I don't wanna be me_____
OUTRO: (# Spoken #)
G D G D G D G D
To say it's love would be too simple
How to play If I Can't Have You
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.