I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” is a beloved ballad written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jim Croce. Released in 1974 as part of his album I Got a Name, the song became a hit following Croce’s tragic death later that year.

Did You Know?

• Jim Croce’s “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” was released in 1974 as part of his album I Got a Name.
• The song was written by Jim Croce and reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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• The heartfelt lyrics of this ballad have inspired covers by various artists, including Barry Manilow and Bobby Vinton.

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Lyrics

Well, I know it’s kinda late.

I hope I didn’t wake you.

But what I gotta say can’t wait,

I know you’d understand.

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 kinda strange.

Every time I’m near you,

I just run out of things to say.

I know you’d understand.

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.

Every time the time was right,

All the words just came out wrong,

So I’ll have to say I love you in a song

Yeah, I know it’s kinda late.

Hope I didn’t wake you,

But there’s something I just gotta say.

Know you’d understand.

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.