Say What You Will
James Blake Lyrics
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I've been normal
I've been ostracized
I've watched through a window
As my young self died
I've been popular
With all the popular guys
I gave them punchlines
They gave me warning signs
I look okay
In the magic hour
In the right light
With the right amount of power
And I'm okay
With the life of the sunflower
And I'm okay
With the life of a meteor shower
So say what you will
Go on (say what you will)
You're gonna do it anyway
Go on
Just (say what you will)
You're gonna do it anyway
Go on
Just (say what you will)
Go on
You're gonna do it anyway
Say what you will
I can find my way
With no superpowers
I can take my place
Without becoming sour
I might not make
All those psychopaths proud
'Least I can see the faces
Of the smaller crowds
And I'm okay
No, I can drive myself
I've been sobered
By my time on the shelf
And I've been normal
And I've been ostracized
Like a comet
Blazing through an empty sky
So say what you will
Say (say what you will)
Say what you will
Say (say what you will)
So say what you will
Say (say what you will)
Say what you will
(Say what you will)
Say what you will
Say (say what you will)
(Say what you will)
(Say what you will)
James Blake's Say What You Will is a song about accepting oneself, despite the highs and lows of life. The singer talks about being popular with the popular guys, but also being ostracized, which seems to suggest that he experienced both the highs and lows of social interaction. He notes that he looks okay in the magic hour, but only with the right amount of power, which could refer to the power differential that exists in social interactions. The singer is okay with the life of a sunflower and the life of a meteor shower, indicating that he is at peace with the fleeting nature of life.
The second verse starts by saying that the singer does not require superpowers to find his way or take his place; he is content with not making all the psychopaths proud. The metaphor of being like a comet blazing through an empty sky is fitting, as it provides a sense of transience and purpose. The chorus repeats the phrase "Say what you will" several times, suggesting that people's opinions may not align with the singer's opinion of himself, but he accepts them regardless.
The message of the song is one of self-acceptance, even in the face of societal norms and expectations. The singer acknowledges his weaknesses and strengths, but ultimately he is his own person.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been normal
I've lived an average life
I've been ostracized
I've been shunned by others
I've watched through a window
As my young self died
I've witnessed the loss of innocence
I've been popular
With all the popular guys
I gave them punchlines
They gave me warning signs
I've done things to fit in with the popular crowd but it came at a cost
I look okay
In the magic hour
In the right light
With the right amount of power
I may appear good under certain circumstances
And I'm okay
With the life of the sunflower
And I'm okay
With the life of a meteor shower
I'm content with living my life no matter how short or insignificant it may seem
So say what you will
Go on (say what you will)
You're gonna do it anyway
Go on
Just (say what you will)
You're gonna do it anyway
Go on
Just (say what you will)
Go on
You're gonna do it anyway
Say what you will
People will talk regardless of what I do or say so I might as well not worry about it and be myself
I can find my way
With no superpowers
I can take my place
Without becoming sour
I don't need anything extraordinary to navigate through life and I won't let it make me bitter
I might not make
All those psychopaths proud
'Least I can see the faces
Of the smaller crowds
I may not impress everyone, but I can still connect with and appreciate the people around me
And I'm okay
No, I can drive myself
I've been sobered
By my time on the shelf
I can take care of myself and my experiences have taught me to be responsible
Like a comet
Blazing through an empty sky
I may feel alone on this journey through life but I'm still making an impact
So say what you will
Say (say what you will)
Say what you will
Say (say what you will)
So say what you will
Say (say what you will)
Say what you will
(Say what you will)
Say what you will
Say (say what you will)
Again, people will talk regardless of what I do or say so I might as well not worry about it and be myself
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: James Blake Litherland, Josh Stadlen, Dominic Maker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nana-iv3si
@@bananapie4344
And I'm okay with the life of the sunflower
And I'm okay with the life of a meteor shower
Compared to a meteor shower a sunflower is common and not as glamorous. He works in an industry where everybody is constantly compared to all the 'meteor showers' in the sky, the big stars, i think he is probably saying he's ok with living a more common life and is happy with being appreciated the way people would appreciate a sunflower, it's enough for him. But that doesn't mean he has something against being a 'meteor shower' like Finneas in this mv, he would appreciate whatever beauty / success he finds in life, he doesn't look down on the life of a guy like Finneas. He's not trying to be 'indie' or anything and be 'above' the mainstream. He's happy with whatever sort of beauty life gives him.
The meteor shower line could also mean that he is ok with just having '15 minutes of fame'. He doesn't need to be a permanent star shining in the sky.
@nomchelvan8233
I've been normal
I've been ostracized
I've watched through a window
As my young self died
I've been popular with the popular guys
I gave them punchlines
They gave me warning signs
I look okay in the magic hour
In the right light, with the right amount of power
And I'm okay with the life of a sunflower
And I am okay with the life of a meteor shower
So say what you will
Go on, say what you will
You're gonna do it anyway
Go on, just say what you will
You're gonna do it anyway, say what you will
I can find my way with no superpowers
I can take my place without becoming sour
I might not make all those psychopaths proud
At least I can see the faces of the smaller crowds
And I'm okay, no, I can drive mysеlf
I've been sobered by my timе on the shelf
And I've been normal
I've been ostracized like a comet
Blazing through an empty sky
So say what you will
Say, say what you will
Say what you will
Say what you will
So say what you will
Say, say what you will
Say what you will
Say what you will
Say what you will
Say what you will
Say what you will
Say what you will
@Gabriel-ud5hu
The message is: in our heads everyone is doing better than us. Only when you start to focus and admire yourself you will get free.
@carltonmeredith6955
I think at the end Finneas was actually goin to the theater to see James perform. The billboard said James was performing tonight. It shows that those who we may be jealous of actually aren't as cold and they don't have anything against us, they may even like us but we choose not to see it.
Sidenote, finn and James are good friends and no one should take this vid literally.
@tannerharris8470
Seriously?
@liusshka
Thanks,actually I dont know Finneas ,so i compeltely didnt understand what the IS the point,now IT s clear 😁
@mr.mrs.d.7015
The grass is always greener...
@steviegarcia802
I took it as, James being left out? Not
@DAngeloWallace
this is "you vs the guy she told you not to worry about" as a music video
@Drakeplaystrumpet
That's a good comment
@dewgongdakota
@@Drakeplaystrumpet I agree.
@xkamakaziwolfx
Dang D'Angelo you're here? You my sir have good taste in music !