Negative Space
Alex Frankel Lyrics
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Or hesitate?
Did I stutter when I said I'd be there, babe?
Didn't I call?
Or give my all?
Is there another who could make you feel this way?
It's not what you do, it's what you don't do
It's not what you choose, it's what you won't choose
It's not that I'm gone, it's that I'm gone away
Why can't you see what you mean to me?
It's not who you are, it's who you can't be
It's not what you were, it's what they said you did
It's the negative space, babe, that's what it is
It's the negative space
Why can't you see?
Why can't you see?
'Cause it feels like it's staring you right in the face
Why can't you choose?
Why can't you lose?
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
It's the negative space
Was I late?
Did I flake?
I don't wanna share or split it up two ways
'Cause I want it all
And that's for sure
There's no other who could make me feel this way
It's not what you do, it's what you don't do
It's not what you say, it's what you don't say
It's not what you choose, it's what you won't choose
It's not that you're gone, it's that you went away
Why can't you see what you mean to me?
It's not who you are, it's who you can't be
It's not what you were, it's what they said you did
It's the negative space, babe, that's what it is
It's the negative space
Why can't you see?
Why can't you see?
'Cause it feels like it's staring you right in the face
Why can't you choose?
Why can't you lose?
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
It's the negative space
It's the negative space
It's the negative space
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
It's the negative space
It's the negative space
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
Why can't you see?
Why can't you see?
'Cause it feels like it's staring me right in the face
Why can't you choose?
Why can't you lose?
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
It's the negative space
It's the negative space
It's the negative space
In “Negative Space,” Alex Frankel communicates his feelings to a special someone who seems to be unable to understand his commitment to the relationship. The constant questioning in the first verse revolves around whether he did what he promised, and if there is someone else who could take his spot. He talks about the negative space in their relationship, the things that are not said, the things that are done, and the things that are not chosen.
Frankel is disappointed that his significant other is unable to see what he is trying to convey to them. He talks about how the person he is addressing need not be someone that they are not, but they are unable to be the person they actually can be. The negative space that is created is because of what is said or done when Frankel is not around. In the pre-chorus, he laments about how he wants to be with this person entirely and not have a shared relationship with someone else.
The chorus re-iterates the disappointment and the inability to choose or lose, the constant fight, and the negative space that kills the relationship. The last part of the song is a repeat of what he said earlier about the negative space, and it is obvious that the relationship is slowly dying because of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Did I wait?
Am I to blame for not taking action?
Or hesitate?
Did I have doubts and not act confidently?
Did I stutter when I said I'd be there, babe?
Did I not communicate clearly enough?
Didn't I call?
Did I not reach out and try to connect?
Or give my all?
Did I not fully commit to the relationship?
Is there another who could make you feel this way?
Are you looking for someone else to fill this void?
It's not what you do, it's what you don't do
Your inaction is causing more harm than your actions
It's not what you say, it's what you don't say
Your silence is speaking louder than your words
It's not what you choose, it's what you won't choose
Your indecisiveness is causing problems
It's not that I'm gone, it's that I'm gone away
It's not just physical distance, but emotional distance as well
Why can't you see what you mean to me?
Why can't you understand how much I care about you?
It's not who you are, it's who you can't be
Your potential is what's being missed
It's not what you were, it's what they said you did
Past mistakes or others' perceptions are affecting us
It's the negative space, babe, that's what it is
The emptiness and lack of connection are the true issues
Why can't you see?
Why can't you understand?
Why can't you choose?
Why can't you make a decision?
'Cause it feels like it's staring you right in the face
The problem is obvious
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
We're stuck in a pattern of conflict
Was I late?
Did I show up too late to fix things?
Did I flake?
Did I not follow through on promises?
I don't wanna share or split it up two ways
I want all of your attention, love, and commitment
'Cause I want it all
I want everything from this relationship
And that's for sure
That's a certainty and non-negotiable
There's no other who could make me feel this way
No one else can replace you or the connection we share
It's not that you're gone, it's that you went away
It's not just physical absence, but emotional distance as well
It's the negative space
The space between us is filled with emptiness
It's the same fight, like every night, same place
We keep having the same arguments in the same setting
Writer(s): RYLAND BLACKINTON, ALEX FRANKEL, EDWARD KASZA, VAUGHN OLIVER
Contributed by Nora Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter Kosmal
Lyrics via Genius:
Did I wait?
Or hesitate?
Did I stutter when I said I’d be there, babe?
Didn’t I call?
Or give my all?
Is there another who could make you feel this way?
It’s not what you do, it’s what you don’t do
It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say
It’s not what you choose, it’s what you won’t choose
It’s not that I’m gone, it’s that I’m goin’ away
Why can’t you see what you mean to me?
It’s not who you are, it’s who you can’t be
It’s not what you were, it’s what they said you did
It’s the negative space, babe, that’s what it is
It’s the negative space
Why can’t you see?
Why can’t you see?
Cuz it feels like it’s staring you right in the face
Why can’t you choose?
Why can’t you lose?
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
Was I late?
Did I flake?
I don’t wanna share or split it up two ways
Cuz I want it all
And that’s for sure
There’s no other who could make me feel this way
It’s not what you do, it’s what you don’t do
It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say
It’s not what you choose, it’s what you won’t choose
It’s not that you’re gone, it’s that you went away
Why can’t you see what you mean to me?
It’s not who you are, it’s who you can’t be
It’s not what you were, it’s what they said you did
It’s the negative space, babe, that’s what it is
It’s the negative space
Why can’t you see?
Why can’t you see?
Cuz it feels like it’s staring you right in the face
Why can’t you choose?
Why can’t you lose?
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
Why can’t you see?
Why can’t you see?
Cuz it feels like it’s staring me right in the face
Why can’t you choose?
Why can’t you lose?
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
Peter Kosmal
Lyrics via Genius:
Did I wait?
Or hesitate?
Did I stutter when I said I’d be there, babe?
Didn’t I call?
Or give my all?
Is there another who could make you feel this way?
It’s not what you do, it’s what you don’t do
It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say
It’s not what you choose, it’s what you won’t choose
It’s not that I’m gone, it’s that I’m goin’ away
Why can’t you see what you mean to me?
It’s not who you are, it’s who you can’t be
It’s not what you were, it’s what they said you did
It’s the negative space, babe, that’s what it is
It’s the negative space
Why can’t you see?
Why can’t you see?
Cuz it feels like it’s staring you right in the face
Why can’t you choose?
Why can’t you lose?
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
Was I late?
Did I flake?
I don’t wanna share or split it up two ways
Cuz I want it all
And that’s for sure
There’s no other who could make me feel this way
It’s not what you do, it’s what you don’t do
It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say
It’s not what you choose, it’s what you won’t choose
It’s not that you’re gone, it’s that you went away
Why can’t you see what you mean to me?
It’s not who you are, it’s who you can’t be
It’s not what you were, it’s what they said you did
It’s the negative space, babe, that’s what it is
It’s the negative space
Why can’t you see?
Why can’t you see?
Cuz it feels like it’s staring you right in the face
Why can’t you choose?
Why can’t you lose?
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
Why can’t you see?
Why can’t you see?
Cuz it feels like it’s staring me right in the face
Why can’t you choose?
Why can’t you lose?
It’s the same fight, like every night, same place
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
It’s the negative space
Luke Martin
I'd upvote this twice if I could. Sweet song dude
Nellie
Erik Asp why you hate him so much thus is a good song
lumimuffini56
Erik Asp ??? ;0
Emily Cassels
This song is so good definitely my favorite song right now. So good, it sounds like it is a mix of 80's music and present pop and it is so good I tell all my friends about it.
imeanoksureman
Sounds like the best track of 1987. Awesome.
Elise York
I thought this was more famous. It should be. Great work! It's gonna be a song in the book I'm writing. (the playlist)
José María Alfaro
It’s because Alex’s band Holy Ghost! has more recognition than his solo project. I suggest you to check them out, they have great music.
Domingo , noch Fragen?
this is a funky kind... awesome :D!
mari
La gente debería escuchar más este tipo de músicas 😎