When I Say
Badfinger Lyrics


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What you are is what I see
What I see is what I want it to be
When I say I love you
What I mean is I really do

[Chorus]
I'm not the one who'll give you everything you need
But what I mean is that I'll try
I can't deny that I've been burning inside
For all the things I'll never see

So come on, be yourself, nothing else
Who could ask for any more
And you know, they all love you
What is more, I really do





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Badfinger's song "When I Say" illustrate the complexity of relationships and the biases that people have in them. In the relationship between the two people in the song, the singer sees his lover as he wants to see them. He sees them in a way that he desires and that fulfills his needs. The line "What I see is what I want it to be" implies that the singer is projecting his own desires onto his partner rather than seeing them as an individual with their own needs and desires. However, when the singer says "When I say I love you, what I mean is I really do," he is trying to reassure his partner that his feelings are genuine.


The chorus of the song, "I'm not the one who'll give you everything you need, but what I mean is that I'll try," is the admission of the singer that he cannot provide everything his lover wants or needs. This line shows the singer's vulnerability and honesty. He acknowledges that he is not perfect, but he is willing to put in the effort to make things better. The line "For all the things I'll never see" is a contemplation on the limitations and uncertainties of life, how we can never know everything that is out there.


In summary, the song "When I Say" is about the complexities of relationships, how we see our partners as we want to see them, and how we try to make things work while acknowledging our limitations.


Line by Line Meaning

What you are is what I see
I see you for who you really are


What I see is what I want it to be
I see you as someone I want to be with


When I say I love you
I truly mean that I love you


What I mean is I really do
My love for you is genuine


I'm not the one who'll give you everything you need
I may not be perfect, but I'll do my best to provide for you


But what I mean is that I'll try
I'll put in the effort to make you happy


I can't deny that I've been burning inside
I have strong feelings for you that I cannot ignore


For all the things I'll never see
I may not get to experience everything in life, but being with you is worth it


So come on, be yourself, nothing else
Just be who you are, and I'll love you for it


Who could ask for any more
Being with you is all I need


And you know, they all love you
Others care for you, but my love for you is special


What is more, I really do
My love for you is genuine and true




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM EVANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Philip Price

One of the greatest Tommy Evans tunes ever written---soaring musically into the stratosphere!!

Matt Michael

It’s really a phenomenal pop song arrangement. Instrumentally as good as anything the Beatles did and beautifully executed

Noi_ Galaxy

Tom has this softed voice I just love it

quicksilver 1

fockin brilliant!

J. B

Tommy was the best!

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