The lyrics describe a situation where the singer is being loved by someone new who treats her well, but she cannot fully enjoy their love because she is still hung up on the person she used to be with. She acknowledges the new love is genuine, but questions why this new person can't be like her previous lover.

Meaning of "Why Can't He Be You" by Reba McEntire

The lyrics of "Why Can't He Be You" depict a complex emotional struggle within the singer. Despite receiving love and care from a new person, she remains emotionally attached to her past relationship. The song captures the conflict between the present and the past, between familiarity and newness. The singer acknowledges the efforts of the new person, yet she is unable to fully embrace this love because of her lingering feelings for the previous partner. The comparison between the two lovers highlights the deep emotional connection she still retains for her past love, which prevents her from fully committing to the new relationship. This internal conflict reflects the complexities of human emotions, the lingering impact of past relationships, and the difficulty of moving on even when presented with new opportunities for love.