THE ONE THING I CAN’T QUIT

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I walked away from getting high when every nerve said just once, Turned down another drink when I could damn near taste the rush. Swallowed fists full of anger, let a thousand insults slide, Learned a man can beat a devil if he starves him long enough inside. I’ve stood face-to-face with trouble, turned around and walked away, Felt the old me begging for it, told him, not today. I can stare into a fire and never reach to feel the flame, But let a woman look at me like she’s glad I came— And God help me, there I go again. [Pre-Chorus] I know the sound of every chain link Right before it hits the floor. Funny, I can live without damn near anything— Except wanting to be wanted more. [Chorus] I quit getting high, I turn down the drink, Learned how to stop before anger could think. Walked out of fires I once would’ve fed, Bit back the words I once would’ve said. But I can’t quit those eyes holding onto mine, That little bit of warmth at the wrong damn time. One woman could love me with everything she’s got, Still some restless piece inside me whispers, it ain’t enough. I’ve beaten every devil I ever met— But being wanted… That’s the one thing I can’t quit. [Verse 2] It ain’t always bodies, beds, or closing bedroom doors, Sometimes it’s somebody seeing something in me I don’t anymore. A laugh that lasts too long, the way she says my name, That little change behind her eyes that tells me she feels the same. That’s all it takes to wake it, That hunger underneath. No drink, no high, no rage this time— Just somebody wanting me. And I know where that road goes, I’ve been far enough to see. Still, there’s something about affection That gets the worst of me. [Pre-Chorus] I know the sound of every chain link Right before it hits the floor. Funny, I can live without damn near anything— Except wanting to be wanted more. [Chorus] I quit getting high, I turn down the drink, Learned how to stop before anger could think. Walked out of fires I once would’ve fed, Bit back the words I once would’ve said. But I can’t quit those eyes holding onto mine, That little bit of warmth at the wrong damn time. One woman could love me with everything she’s got, Still some restless piece inside me whispers, it ain’t enough. I’ve beaten every devil I ever met— But being wanted… That’s the one thing I can’t quit. [Verse 3] I’ve had good love beside me, The kind a wiser man would keep. The kind that knows the worst of you And still lies down to sleep. So why does something wake in me When unfamiliar eyes meet mine? Why can a stranger make me feel What I’ve been searching for inside? Maybe every new affection Makes an old hurt disappear. Maybe I don’t need another woman— I just need to know she wants me near. And that’s the part that scares me, ‘Cause I’ve got no lie to tell: I ain’t chasing after heaven. I’m chasing how she makes me feel. [Bridge — stripped down] Maybe I ain’t looking for another woman. Maybe I’m looking for another me. The man I see reflected When somebody new looks at me. The dangerous one. The interesting one. The one she hasn’t figured out. The man who’s still worth wanting When my own mind fills with doubt. I’ve said no to getting high. I’ve turned down another drink. I’ve swallowed down the anger When every nerve said swing. But put desire in her eyes, Put that softness in her touch— And suddenly the man who conquered everything Can’t conquer wanting too much. [Breakdown] So what do you call a man Who can walk away from all of it, But can’t walk past affection Without needing another hit? It ain’t her fault. It ain’t hers either. And I ain’t gonna dress it up. Maybe the truth is simple: I need to be needed. And one has never been enough. [Final Chorus] I quit getting high, I turn down the drink, Learned how to stop before anger could think. Walked out of fires I once would’ve fed, Bit back the words I once would’ve said. But I can’t quit those eyes holding onto mine, Can’t turn away when I see that desire. I’ve had a good woman give all that she’s got, Still there’s a hunger that never expires. Maybe I need her to want me, Maybe I need one more touch, Maybe it ain’t about loving another— Maybe I just need too much. I’ve beaten every devil I ever met, Watched every one of ’em lose their grip. But being wanted… God, being wanted… That’s the one thing I can’t quit. [Outro — almost spoken] Every woman looks different. Every voice, every face, every name. But when she looks at me like she wants me… The feeling is always the same.