Could It Be Any Harder

Album: Camino Palmero (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Calling lead singer Alex Band, who wrote this song with their guitarist Aaron Kamin, says this song is "pretty much about someone you love, whether it's family or relationship wise, that pretty much leaves you, which is personal to me because when I was around 8 my mom left and moved to Germany."

Comments: 7

  • FamiI talk to my ex after 11 years and he told me that this song is for me so he can move on. I don’t have ideas that I hurt him so much… I'm so sorry.
  • Mark from Westerbork, Netherlands(PS)
    The reason why i'm refering to 3d person is because the clip is just a clip, and probably not real.
  • Mark from Westerbork, NetherlandsMy interpretation:
    Its about a child who lost his /her mother of breast cancer, the lyrics add up with the movie of the song.
    Because you see the father watching over the mother, the child returning to her elderly home, to retrieve the memories that are fading away of her mother, and at one point in the movie clip, the mother touches her breast as if something is there, that should not belong there, and almost the whole movie clip is about memories from her past (girl in the clip).
    Also the parts in the lyrics about invincible in my eyes (Children see their parents as invincible), touch you again with life in your hands (As it is), wish i only had one more day (More time to spend), Left me without goodbye and open arms (Not a proper farewell, because the fact that cancer is unpredictable, she passed away suddenly) Could it be any harder to say goodbye without you. (This person can't let go of the fact that he / she lost his parent, because the experience and the loss are to painfull)
    I wish i could turn back the hours, but i just don't have the power. (This means 2 things, he / she obviously want's to turn back time, and the second part i just don't have the power isn't an admitting sentence, what he / she actually means is, that he / she is feeling powerless, because there is absolutely nothing that he / she can do to prevent or reverse the situation as it is.)

    So my interpretation, its clearly about death, but the movie clip lets me believe that its about a child who lost his / her parent from a hidious disease.
    A really, really sad song.
  • John from Sydney, AustraliaThis song is very simple, but somehow touching. Yes, it obviously deals with death and lost loved ones - but somehow I think it still conveys a message of hope. I always seem to receive a sense of hope from songs by The Calling. One of my favourite bands without question. The song talks of needing hope because of the pain that is being experienced.
  • Rocio from Quillota, ChileI think that is about someone that you love unexpectedly is dead or gone of your life, and you never had the time or you never was strong for telling him
  • Audrey from La, CaActually Alex Band (the singer) said it was about death and how if he could have one more chance with this person he would talk it and cherish it.
  • Dimitris from Athens, Greecethe song is about the singer's mother's leaving the house, at his age of 10
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.