Story Behind The Song
Yeah, it's pretty much a true story with some elaborate fictions. Admittedly, it's a bit of a mean song, but it was a mean relationship at the time and many cruel things were done on both sides. Thank God that is over and a very new - and wonderful - beginning has now arrived. -Nelson
Song Description
?She Can?t Hang (So She Must),? embraces more down-to-earth (yes, literally) imagery to flesh out the archetypal struggle between the sexes. Sounding more power-pop than emo here, this sweet candy gem turns sour as the narrator relents, ?she can?t hang, in gallow?s dust, she can?t hang...so she must!.? This play on words teases at misogyny, but clearly is only meant metaphorically.
Again, don't confuse this poetic metaphor with some brand of women bashing. Nelson has never been accused of anything less than gentlemanly behavior. The title and refrain is merely a clever word game devised to be a very tongue-n-cheek way of communicating the breaking up of a disfunctional relationship.
Again: She can't hang...so she MUST (HANG!)
...to the gallows...with this ...RELATIONSHIP!
| Song Length |
3:40 |
Genre |
Rock - Modern, Pop - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Annoyed, Cruel |
Subject |
Breaking Up, Cheating |
| Similar Artists |
The Wallflowers, Bob Dylan |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
When she's gone, you'd think I'd feel a whole lot freer,
But I won't, I'll be chillin' in my own container,
Don't enjoy precipitating her demise,
Don't delight in welling Tears and swollen eye but ...,
Sometimes she just wrecks the party,
Sometimes she just acts too corny,
BUT mostly she just makes you sorry...
You woke up in her bed This morning
She can't hang, She can't hang,
She can't hang, she's such a fuss, she can't hang,
So she must!
You might feel, I'm being just a Tad too cruel,
BUT it's not so, she left me for a pierced up fool,
She falls in love, with any guy who claims he loves her,
She gives it up, to any mate who plays her sponsor
Sometimes she just likes to party,
Sometimes she just makes you horny,
BUT mostly she just makes you sorry...
You bought her lies and Trumped up stories,
She can't hang, She can't hang,
She can't hang, but she can lust, she can't hang,
So she must!
Sometimes she just leaves the party
Holding hands, what is the story?
She's never really meant she's sorry,
I tried my best, she's his Til morning,
She can't hang, She can't hang,
She can't hang, in gallows dust, (it's all about trust)
She can't hang, (her end is just!)
So she must!