Eli wanted to write a song about how hard it is to believe in love again after getting hurt—because it is for him. But I challenged him to put himself in the other person’s shoes—write from the perspective of the new lover, the one who’s doubted though they’ve never done anything wrong. I think he learned a lot writing these lyrics. This song is devoted to these bloggers who responded to our post about having a hard time loving again after getting hurt: woodlandcreaturesatemypizza, naturesdopeflow, and hai1337. Eli hopes his upbeat plea rings in your ears. Find love everybody! — K.C.

     How Good It Can Be

You doubt my words, baby,
‘cause you’ve heard them before.
But I’m not here to hurt you then leave.
Oh, your pain runs deep,
and you just can’t believe:
I’m not like all those other boys.
And you’re afraid I’ll ask for control,
but, baby, I won’t have to ask:
you’ll hand it over.
‘Cause I know what you don’t know:
I’m not like all those other boys.

And, sugar, I’d like to show you
how good it can be when you love a man like me.
Baby, you lack imagination;
all those bad men stunted your mind.
So, I’m painting this picture,
so you can see how good it can be.

What’d those men do?
Not return your calls?
Or is it that they called other girls?
Well, I don’t even own a phone;
I’ll just read your thoughts.
Oh, you’ve never been with a boy like me.
Did they show up late at night?
Were they loud and drunk?
Well, for you, I’ll sober up.
And we’ll only be loud at night
when you got that need.
Oh, you’ve never been with a boy like me.

CHORUS

I don’t know how else to promise,
how else to make it clear;
I ain’t going to live up to your fears.
‘Cause I’m a man unlike them.
Oh, you’ve never loved a boy like me.