The Powerhouse I Missed

By now, it's probably obvious to most of my readers that I love the tv show Smash. Here's another reason I loved season 2.

Jennifer Hudson is a powerhouse. As a music lover and avid appreciater, I am truly ashamed that I didn't really know about her until she appeared on Smash.

However, with her performance of the song "I Can't Let Go," I absolutely fell in love with her voice.

Somehow, you can hear the passion and hurt and heartache in every note and I, for one, was blown away.

The song is about longing and love and how true love never fades, even if it's not returned.

"They say nothing lasts forever, well I wish that that were true, 'cause this aching in my heart won't go away."

For me, the song isn't about a broken heart, which, at first glance, most might think. To me, it's about faking happiness because you know without this true love, you'll never truly be happy.

I can relate.

I think she's stuck.

Some lover hurt her and she's trying to move on, so she's singing the hopes of her heart, saying I love this new guy, but I can't let go of the one who broke me.

"I close the book before the story starts."

She's saying she ends all her new relationships before they start because she knows it'll never be what it was with HIM.

"You asked me to start over, but that's easier said than done. And the memories are strong when they arise."

The more she tries to forget him, the more she thinks about their time, and the more the memories bring back the flood of emotion.

"Help me to let go."

Still, she wants to be happy, so she asks for help, and love, and hope in the last line.

Here's the full song lyrics, and I'll let you decide what it's about:

They say nothing lasts forever
Well, I wish that that were true
Cause this aching in my heart won't go away

They say everything must change
They say that time will see it through
Well, I've listened and I've waited for that day

But I wake up with this anger
And the pain won't let me be
And the smile I share
Is only there for show

If I hang on to this heartache
Then my soul will not be free
So I keep trying
But I just cannot let go

I can't let go
I need it to remind me
I can't let go
Oh, I just repeat the past

And though your arms are saying yes
I feel my heart keeps saying no
I want to love you
But I can't let go

I have lived through bad beginnings
And I've seen unhappy ends
So I close the book
Before the story starts

I'm just a witness to my lifetime
And I'm a stranger to my friends
I'm a trafficker
Of broken, damaged hearts

Now you ask me to start over
But it's easier said than done
'Cause the memories are strong when they arise
And when heartache comes a'calling
I won't even try to run
'Cause it's all that makes me know that I'm alive

I can't let go
I need it to remind me
I can't let go
Oh, I just repeat the past

And though your arms are saying yes
I feel my heart keeps saying no
I want to love you (I want to love you)
I want to love you (I want to love you)
Oh, I want to love you
But I can't let go (I can't let go)
No, I can't let go (I can't let go)
Would you help me?
Help me to let go.