Released: 1984
“Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon is a power ballad about love and the struggle to express it. The song’s protagonist grapples with intense emotions for a friend, feeling torn between fear and the need to confess his love.
The opening lines reveal the protagonist’s internal battle. He’s overwhelmed by his feelings but scared to express them. The friendship has evolved into something deeper, yet he lacks the courage to reveal his true emotions.
The protagonist acknowledges his fear is baseless because he feels secure with the person he loves. This relationship gives his life purpose and clarity, a common theme in love songs where the partner is seen as a guiding light.
The imagery of a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night symbolizes hope and warmth. The protagonist feels he’s getting closer to expressing his feelings, realizing he can’t resist them any longer.
The chorus is a declaration of surrender. He’s forgotten why he resisted his feelings in the first place. The metaphor of bringing a ship to shore and throwing away the oars signifies commitment and the end of resistance.
In the second verse, the protagonist describes his life as chaotic since meeting the person he loves. He’s been mentally chasing her, and she leads him to new experiences. This highlights the transformative power of love.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the protagonist’s determination to confess his feelings, even if it means crawling or crashing through doors. It’s a dramatic expression of the lengths he’s willing to go for love.
