Say
Alex Smalls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Outside of Soho and still twenty-two
With no heart to lose
I think I've had too much
VERSE 1
Hold up. What's the hold up?
Heart is quite colder
The trick is growing older
Whoops, I thought I told ya
Never guessed I'd ever stress
Bout getting crossed at twenty-three
Whether cries or fairer skies
I stay at two-thousand degrees
Lying right on top of me
That look like - fuck you mean?
Adrift when I'm asleep
I dream what we could be
Think I've had too much This is not as fun
I'm still getting stuck on You're just not the one
HOOK
All the things you don't have to say
VERSE 2
You make me sad
Those feelings you lack
That touching me, teasing me?
Holding me back
Just race to me fast
Keep pace so we last
How I go through life painting outside of the lines
This back and forth it's just your wave
Breaking shit is just your way
Cause your bitches is scandalous
For the sake of lavishness
But go off cause you bad as shit
Run from me in the fastest sense
My demons give me callouses
Guess that's what forming a habit is
Like, girl what happened?
They gone call it plastic
I just need my city boys to show up with that action
While you looking through your phone
Just to set the tone
Not your only love
But your favorite one
HOOK
Thinking things you don't have to say
OUTRO
End up getting drunk
Waiting for the sun
You're just not the same
I'm still not the one
You don't have to say
In these lyrics, Alex Smalls reflects on a past relationship and the emotions that still linger late at night. The opening lines suggest that the memories of the person he used to be with resurface at times, particularly when he is in the area of Soho where they likely spent time together. He acknowledges that he no longer has any emotional investment in the relationship and has moved on.
In the first verse, Alex questions the reasons for the emotional distance between them. He realizes that as he grows older, his heart has become colder, suggesting that he may have built up walls to protect himself from getting hurt again. Despite this, he expresses surprise and disappointment that he finds himself still affected by their separation at the age of twenty-three. He contemplates whether it would be better to cry or find happiness, but regardless, he feels an intense emotional heat or conflict within himself.
The hook seems to represent Alex's frustration with the lack of communication from his ex-partner. He believes there are things that do not need to be said explicitly, perhaps because they both understand the reality of their relationship. It implies that the silence and absence of communication from the other person accentuates his sadness.
In the second verse, Alex further explores the complexities of their relationship. He feels let down by the lack of deep emotional connection and physical intimacy they once shared. He describes it as being held back or restrained from fully experiencing the joy of being loved. He expresses a desire for them to rush towards each other, showing dedication and commitment that will ensure their relationship's longevity. However, he acknowledges that their relationship is often marked by back-and-forth conflicts, which result in them breaking things and causing emotional turmoil. He sees the other person's behavior as rooted in their desire for material possessions and the decadence it brings, but he recognizes his own shortcomings too, acknowledging that these challenges have become a habit for him.
In the hook's repetition, Alex observes that his ex-partner doesn't need to say anything because their actions speak louder than words. It suggests that the other person may prioritize other relationships and is not fully committed to him, but remains a significant love interest.
In the outro, Alex reflects on his state of mind. He mentions becoming intoxicated and waiting for the sun, implying that he uses substance as a coping mechanism for his emotional pain. He recognizes that things have changed between them and that he is not the same person as before. He also admits that he is not the right person for his ex-partner. These final lines express the acceptance of the evolving nature of their relationship and the understanding that it is time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Real late, some nights, I still see you
Even in the late hours of the night, memories of you still haunt me
Outside of Soho and still twenty-two
I remember seeing you outside of Soho when we were both young
With no heart to lose
I didn't have any emotional attachment to lose
I think I've had too much
I believe I've reached my limit
Hold up. What's the hold up?
Wait a moment. What is causing the delay?
Heart is quite colder
My heart has become colder
The trick is growing older
The secret is to grow older and wiser
Whoops, I thought I told ya
Oops, I thought I already informed you
Never guessed I'd ever stress
I never anticipated that I would experience such anxiety
Bout getting crossed at twenty-three
About being deceived and hurt at the age of twenty-three
Whether cries or fairer skies
Regardless of whether I'm crying or seeing brighter days
I stay at two-thousand degrees
My emotions are always intense and burning hot
Lying right on top of me
Lying directly over me
That look like - fuck you mean?
That expression implies, 'What do you mean?'
Adrift when I'm asleep
Feeling lost and disconnected when I'm asleep
I dream what we could be
I still dream about the possibilities we had
Think I've had too much This is not as fun
I believe I've reached my limit. This situation is no longer enjoyable
I'm still getting stuck on You're just not the one
I'm still fixated on the fact that you're not the right person for me
All the things you don't have to say
All the unnecessary words you don't need to tell me
You make me sad
You bring me sadness
Those feelings you lack
The emotions you are missing
That touching me, teasing me? Holding me back
Your actions of touching and teasing me are holding me back
Just race to me fast
Just come to me quickly and urgently
Keep pace so we last
Maintain the same rhythm and speed so that our relationship endures
How I go through life painting outside of the lines
I live my life breaking the rules and not conforming
This back and forth it's just your wave
This constant back and forth is just your way of behaving
Breaking shit is just your way
Destroying things is just your preferred method
Cause your bitches is scandalous
Because the people you associate with are deceitful
For the sake of lavishness
For the purpose of living a luxurious lifestyle
But go off cause you bad as shit
But continue behaving that way because you're confident and attractive
Run from me in the fastest sense
Avoid me as quickly as possible
My demons give me callouses
My inner struggles and demons toughen me up
Guess that's what forming a habit is
I suppose that's what developing a routine feels like
Like, girl what happened? They gone call it plastic
Like, girl, what went wrong? Others may perceive it as superficial
I just need my city boys to show up with that action
I just need my friends from the city to support and take action
While you looking through your phone
While you're distracted by your phone
Just to set the tone
Just to establish the mood or atmosphere
Not your only love
I'm not the only person you love
But your favorite one
But I am your favorite among all of them
Thinking things you don't have to say
Reflecting on thoughts that don't need to be verbalized
End up getting drunk
Eventually getting intoxicated
Waiting for the sun
Waiting for a new day to arrive
You're just not the same
You have changed and are no longer the person I knew
I'm still not the one
I'm still not the right person for you
You don't have to say
There is no need for you to speak
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Riko Smalls
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind