It always ends up to one thing, honey/
And I can’t think of right words to say.

When a poet feels something so immense that he can’t think of words to describe how he is feeling it becomes difficult to write songs. “How Can I Tell You” is Cat Stevens attempt to deal with this very problem. He feels immensely for this girl, but does the word “immensely” even begin to signify the feelings of his racing mind and raging heart? They really don’t.

“How Can I Tell You” is about the “ineffable”: that which cannot be put into words. Some great loves might elicit feelings that transcend normal means of communication. Thus, perhaps a song will have to do. Jim Croce, expresses a similar sentiment in “I’ll have to Say I Love You in a Song”.

I love Cat Steven’s light guitar intro. The pace is perfect. Overall, the finger-picking is amazingly delicate and perfect for the song. Stevens voice sounds great, as he delivers a performance about his inability to communicate his love to a woman. The light use of a flute and one line of a background singer highlights the proper message. Note how Stevens can convey emotion without straining his voice, nor doing vocal runs and barely changing volumes. He is a master.

How Can I Tell You Lyrics

How can I tell you
That I love you?
I love you,
But I can’t think of right words to say.

I long to tell you,
That I’m always thinking of you.
I’m always thinking of you,
But my words just blow away.
Just blow away.

It always ends up to one thing, honey
And I can’t think of right words to say.

Wherever I am girl
I’m always walking with you.
I’m always walking with you,
But I look and you’re not there.

Whoever I’m with
I’m always, always talking to you.
I’m always talking to you,
And I’m sad that you can’t hear,
Sad that you can’t hear.
It always ends up to one thing, honey
When I look and you’re not there.

I need to know you.
Need to feel my arms around you,
Feel my arms surround you
Like a sea around a shore.

Each night and day I pray
In hope that I might find you.
In hope that I might find you,
Because heart’s can do no more;
Can do no more.

It always ends up to one thing, honey
Still I kneel upon the floor.

How can I tell you
That I love you?
I love you,
But I can’t think of right words to say.

I long to tell you
That I’m always thinking of you.
I’m always thinking of you,
It always ends up to one thing, honey,
And I can’t think of right words to say.

written by Cat Stevens