I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song

Album: I Got A Name (1973)
Charted: 9
Play Video
  • Well, I know it's kind of late
    I hope I didn't wake you
    But what I've got to say can't wait
    I know you'd understand
    'Cause every time I tried to tell you
    The words just came out wrong
    So I'll have to say "I love you" in a song

    Yeah, I know it's kind of strange
    Every time I'm near you
    I just run out of things to say
    I know you'd understand
    'Cause every time I tried to tell you
    The words just came out wrong
    So I'll have to say "I love you" in a song

    'Cause every time the time was right
    All the words just came out wrong
    So I'll have to say "I love you" (I love you) in a song

    Yeah, I know it's kind of late (it's kind of late)
    I hope I didn't wake you
    But there's something that I just got to say
    (I know you'd understand)
    I know you'd understand
    'Cause every time I tried to tell you
    The words just came out wrong
    So I'll have to say "I love you" in a song Writer/s: James Croce
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaFirst time I heard this I fell in love, and the older I got the more those lyrics reminded me of Me. Quite often what I say doesn't come out right so I just write my feeling out. Loved Jim and Murry' guitars, don't know what they were. Wish I could have seen Jim in person and told him thanks.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 24th 1974, "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song" by Jim Croce entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #73; and on April 21st it peaked at #9 (for 1 week) and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on the same day it reached #9 on the Top 100 it peaked at #1 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
    In his short four year recording career (1972 - 1976) he had ten records on the Top 100; with five of them making the Top 10 and two reaching #1 ("Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" for 2 weeks and "Time In A Bottle" for 2 weeks)...
    May he R.I.P. (1943 - 1973).
  • Frank from Venezuela, VenezuelaI love the insight provided here...Jim Corce sings about very personal matters we all can relate to because we have lived them. Thank you!
  • Carolyn from Knoville, TnWhat a lovely story...and what a lovely song! It's been a favorite of mine since I first heard it on the radio "back in the day".
  • Meg from Blahblahblah, LaHe died in good ole Louisiana... RIP
  • Meg from Blahblahblah, LaBeautiful song written by a beautiful man. It's a great love song.
  • Ron from Milwaukee, WiJim Croce died on September 20 ,1973 and not on September 29, 1973 as stated above.
  • Frank from Westminster, ScWhat a great insight Ingrid provides! I often wondered whether Croce himself oversaw the finished product of this song. The echoing background vocals seem to be tacked on, as if to fill out an uncompleted song. Of course, I could be full of soup.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.