Gilbert O'Sullivan's song "If I Can't Have You All To Myself" tells the story of a person who has been a loner for a long time and has always coped on their own. They have had multiple one-night stands with girls but never felt a real connection until they meet someone special. Upon meeting this person, the narrator realizes that they don't want them to leave and pleads with them to stay with them. They express their love for this person and the desire to have them all to themselves. However, the person reveals that they are seeing someone else from time to time. The narrator is hurt by this revelation but asks the person to decide if they want to continue their affair. They confess their own feelings of being down and almost in hell, indicating their deep emotional attachment to this person. The narrator questions the person's consideration for their feelings and expresses their confusion about what they should feel if they can't have them exclusively. They emphasize their desire to have the person all to themselves. The song explores themes of love, jealousy, and the complexity of relationships. It highlights the struggles and emotions of a person who is deeply in love but faced with the challenge of sharing their partner's affections with someone else. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and vulnerability blended with a plea for exclusivity in the relationship.
