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If You Wanna Know

by Neil Nathan

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about

i was visiting my brother in redondo beach, california. there was a rather steep and winding ramp down to the beach. one day, two little kids, prolly 5 or 6, were running down it for fun. the little girl was giggling like a hyena as she teetered on the edge of control, repeatedly announcing, “i can’t handle myself! i can’t handle myself!“ it struck me as a hilariously bizzarre phrase. but one that seemed like a great, honest excuse for poor behavior with a loved one. so i wrote a song about it. “if you wanna know why i can’t handle you, if you wanna know, baby here’s the truth. if you wanna know why...i can’t handle myself” thanks wild little girl in redondo beach.

lyrics

Girl you wake up smiling
Almost every single day
Then I disappoint you
In my very special way

Though I say I love you
You don’t believe it’s true
There ain’t no two bones about it
Just the plain, sad truth

If you wanna know
Why I can’t handle you
If you wanna know
Baby here’s the truth
If you wanna know why
I can’t handle myself
I can’t handle myself

Remember when I held you so close
On that fateful night
Remember when you kissed my lips
And promised to be mine

You said you always knew
That I was made for you
But there it is yeah that empty feeling
From the same, sad truth

If you wanna know
Why I can’t handle you
If you wanna know
Baby here’s the truth
If you wanna know why
I can’t handle myself
I can’t handle myself

Solo

I’ll find the strength
To make it right
Please wait for me
Please give me time
I couldn’t see it before
But I feel it now your pain
There’s nothing I won’t do
To not say this once again

If you wanna know
Why I can’t handle you
If you wanna know
Baby here’s the truth
If you wanna know why
I can’t handle myself
I can’t handle myself
I can’t handle myself
I can’t handle myself

credits

released February 19, 2021
Written by Neil Nathan
Produced by Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner & Neil Nathan w/ Pete Rydberg
Recorded and Mixed by Pete Rydberg @Studio1935, Philadelphia
Mastered by Jim Kissling

Neil Nathan - vocals
Mike Brenner - pedal steel, guitars
Pete Rydberg - guitars, harmonica
John Cunningham - bass
Mark Schreiber - drums, percussion

Photo of Neil Nathan by Leah Koss

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Neil Nathan New York, New York

"Impressive." Vinyl District

"A warm, soulful voice, full of longing." Magnet Magazine

"A good time." Huffington Post

"A talent that cuts to & through the heart." Philadelphia Daily News

"A profound steward of great American folk-rock music." - Indie Band Guru

"There are few out there with this combo of energy & soulful songwriting, Matthew Sweet & Jeff Tweedy qualify." Powerpopaholic
... more

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