Like I Can

"Like I Can" is a soulful and emotionally charged anthem about unrequited and irreplaceable love. The song's central theme revolves around the narrator's unwavering conviction that no future partner will ever love their former flame with the same intensity and depth as they did. It is a direct address to this person, comparing the narrator's profound, all-encompassing love to the potentially superficial or inadequate affection of new suitors. The lyrics systematically list different archetypes of men—'a sinner, or a gentleman,' 'a preacher,' 'a lawyer'—that the ex might encounter, but dismisses each one with the powerful assertion, 'He'll never love you like I can.' This creates a poignant narrative of someone watching from the sidelines, confident in the value of what they offered and pained by the thought of their loved one settling for less. The song is a cornerstone of the album In the Lonely Hour, which largely explores themes of unrequited love from Sam Smith's personal experiences.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a heartbroken but defiant individual addressing a former lover who is now exploring other romantic possibilities. The protagonist begins by methodically listing the various types of men their ex might encounter. These potential new partners are presented as archetypes: a rebellious 'sinner,' a polished 'gentleman,' a spiritually guiding 'preacher,' or a dependable 'lawyer' on the witness stand. Each of these figures represents a different facet of a potential partner, covering a spectrum from dangerous excitement to steadfast reliability. However, despite their individual merits, the narrator asserts a powerful and recurring claim: none of them will ever possess the capacity to love the ex-partner with the same depth and authenticity that they can. This core assertion is not just a boast, but a deeply felt conviction born of a unique and profound connection that the singer believes is irreplaceable.

The song delves into the fleeting nature of new encounters, suggesting the ex might be captivated by a 'stranger' after a mere 'second glance' or might view a new partner as a 'trophy of a one-night stand.' The narrator acknowledges that a new person might share a similar sense of humor but questions the substance behind it, reinforcing the central theme that these connections are superficial compared to what was lost. The chorus serves as the emotional and thematic anchor, posing a poignant, rhetorical question: 'Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?' This line metaphorically describes the ex's search for love as a misguided journey, implying they are seeking fulfillment in places where it cannot be found. The narrator positions their own love as the true destination, describing it as 'the heart and the salt of the soul'—an essential, life-sustaining force. This imagery elevates their love from a simple emotion to a fundamental element of existence.

The second verse continues this exploration of potential, yet ultimately hollow, replacements. A new relationship might begin from a 'chance encounter of circumstance' or become a 'mantra' that keeps the ex's mind 'entranced.' This new person could even offer a moment of 'silence in this mayhem.' Yet, the narrator's confidence remains unshaken, reiterating the powerful refrain that this new love will pale in comparison. The emotional climax of the song arrives in the bridge, where the narrator introduces a shared vulnerability. 'We both have demons, that we can't stand,' they admit, shifting the focus from a simple comparison of love to a deeper understanding of mutual imperfection. In a powerful declaration of acceptance, the narrator proclaims, 'I love your demons like devils can.' This line suggests a love that is not only aware of the ex's flaws and inner struggles but embraces them entirely, a level of acceptance the narrator believes no one else can offer. The song concludes with a final plea for honesty, urging the ex to stop deceiving themselves and to recognize the unparalleled love they are leaving behind, reinforcing the central, heartbreaking conviction that no other lover will ever measure up.

"Like I Can" was written by Sam Smith and Matt Prime. It was produced by Steve Fitzmaurice, Jimmy Napes, and the production duo Mojam. The song was recorded in 2013 and was released as the fifth single from Smith's critically acclaimed debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour. The single had its digital download release on December 5, 2014. Smith announced the song as the next single via Twitter on October 24, 2014, expressing their excitement. The entire album, In the Lonely Hour, was famously inspired by Smith's personal experience of unrequited love for a man who did not reciprocate their feelings. This emotional backdrop provides the raw and authentic sentiment that permeates "Like I Can" and the rest of the album, which resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. Smith mentioned that the song's format, a list of comparisons, was inspired by Oleta Adams' song "Get Here."

"Like I Can" utilizes a relatively consistent rhyme scheme within its verses to create a driving, lyrical momentum. The first verse follows a near AAAA pattern, with 'gentleman,' 'damned,' 'stand,' and 'can' creating a strong sense of cohesion and emphasis. This is mirrored in the second verse with 'glance,' 'stand,' 'understand,' and 'can.' This repetitive rhyming structure makes the central message more impactful and memorable. The chorus shifts slightly but maintains a strong lyrical hook. The song's rhythm is upbeat and steady, built around a tempo of 100 BPM. This moderate, danceable tempo provides an ironic energy to the song's theme of heartbreak and longing, creating a feeling of defiant celebration rather than pure melancholy. The interplay between the soulful, flowing vocal melody and the crisp, rhythmic pulse of the instrumentation is a key element of the song's appeal, allowing it to be both a heartfelt ballad and an uplifting pop track.

Musically, "Like I Can" is characterized as a power pop song with strong soul and R&B influences. It has an uplifting, up-tempo rhythm, which contrasts with the more solemn ballads on the album, such as "Stay With Me" and "I'm Not the Only One". The song is set in the key of G♯ minor with a tempo of 100 beats per minute. Sam Smith's vocal performance is a central stylistic feature, showcasing their impressive range from F4 to D6 and their signature use of melisma and soaring falsetto, which conveys a deep sense of passion and desperation. The production combines classic soul elements with a modern pop structure, featuring a prominent beat and a boisterous chorus that makes it both emotionally resonant and commercially accessible. The black-and-white music video, directed by Sophie Muller, contributes to the song's classic and timeless feel, depicting Smith and a group of men in smart suits in New York City, which adds a cinematic and stylish layer to the song's narrative.

"Like I Can" achieved significant commercial success, becoming Sam Smith's fifth top-10 single in the UK, where it peaked at number 9. The song also charted in numerous other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, solidifying Smith's status as a global pop star following the massive success of their debut album, In the Lonely Hour. The album itself was a cultural phenomenon, becoming the biggest-selling debut album of the 2010s and winning a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Years after its initial release, "Like I Can" experienced a resurgence in popularity due to viral trends on the social media platform TikTok in 2020 and 2021. The song was used in millions of videos, including in the popular #FreezeFramePhoto trend, which introduced it to a new generation of listeners and caused it to re-enter charts like the Spotify Top 200. The song has also been covered by contestants on singing competition shows like The Voice and American Idol, further cementing its place in popular culture.

The song employs powerful metaphors to articulate the depth of the narrator's love. The most significant is the line, 'When mine is the heart and the salt of the soul.' Here, 'salt of the soul' symbolizes a love that is essential, fundamental, and life-preserving, much like salt is to the earth and the human body. It suggests a raw, pure, and indispensable connection that transcends superficial attraction. Another key lyrical element is the listing of potential lovers as archetypes ('sinner,' 'gentleman,' 'preacher,' 'lawyer'). This is not just a literal list but a symbolic representation of all the different qualities a person might seek in a partner. By dismissing each one, the narrator implies their love is holistic and encompasses all these facets, making any single-archetype partner inadequate. The bridge contains the poignant admission, 'We both have demons, that we can't stand / I love your demons like devils can.' This metaphor signifies a profound acceptance of the partner's flaws and inner darkness, suggesting a love that is not blind to imperfection but is, in fact, strengthened by it.

The most significant recurring phrase and central motif of the song is the confident declaration, 'He'll never love you like I can.' This line appears at the end of each verse and is echoed in the chorus, serving as the song's unwavering thesis statement. Its repetition drills the narrator's core belief into the listener, transforming it into a powerful, defiant anthem. The phrase is often followed by the emphatic repetition of 'can, can, can,' which acts as a rhythmic and emotional punctuation, highlighting the certainty and passion behind the statement. Another recurring lyrical motif is the rhetorical question, 'Why are you looking down all the wrong roads?' This question is repeated in the chorus, framing the ex-lover's search for new love as a misguided and ultimately fruitless endeavor. It reinforces the idea that the narrator represents the 'right' path, the true source of love and fulfillment, described metaphorically as 'the heart and the salt of the soul.'