What started out this friendship has grown stronger/
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.
Kevin Cronin writes about a beautiful friendship that he wants to turn into something more. With his girl: “she takes me to places alone I’d never find”. REO Speedwagon’s “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” doesn’t tell us much about the woman, but it tells a lot about how she has changed the narrator and how she makes him feel. It has made him realize that this is the feeling that he has been searching for and he is ready to give up the chase if she’ll have him.
This is the quintessential power ballad from the 80s and I feel it stands the test of time. The singing and the melody are both great. The intro piano which gives rise to the added guitars and guitar solo is formulaic, but it sounds better than comparable songs from this time period. Also, the subject matter is somewhat nuanced. It is a story about the discovery of the feelings he has within himself for this girl and the things he now must do to ensure he communicates his feelings to her.
Can’t Fight This Feeling Lyrics
I can’t fight this feeling any longer,
And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship has grown stronger,
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.
I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever,
I said there is no reason for my fear.
‘Cause I feel so secure when we’re together,
You give my life direction, you make everything so clear.
And even as I wander, I’m keeping you in sight.
You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might.
And I can’t fight this feeling anymore,
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for.
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.
‘Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore.
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor, come crashing through your door,
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore.
My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you.
I’ve been running round in circles in my mind.
And it always seems that I’m following you, girl,
‘Cause you take me to the places that alone I’d never find.
And even as I wander, I’m keeping you sight,
You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might.
And I can’t fight this feeling anymore,
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for,
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.
‘Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore,
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor, come crashing through your door
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore.
Songwriters: Kevin Cronin