Some Say
Bonnie "Prince" Billy/Tortoise Lyrics
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Some say I got angel
But I'm just a girl in trouble
I don't think I'm in danger
Don't think I'm in danger
No, I know I'm not in danger
But some have tried to sell me
All kinds of things to save me
Something like a woman, crying like a baby
And all the things that I have seen
Qualify me for a part in your dream
Qualify me for this dream
And though I'd like to tell it
Exactly how I feel it
Somehow the music
Hides it and conceals it
Hides it and conceals it
Oh, it hides
And all the things that I have seen
Can be hidden in a part of my dream
Gonna hide it in my dream
Some say I've got devil
Some say I got angel
But I'm just this girl in trouble
I don't think I'm in danger
No I'm not in danger
No, I know I'm not in danger
The lyrics to Bonnie "Prince" Billy/Tortoise's song "Some Say" explore the notion of duality within the self. The singer acknowledges that some people see her as having a dark side ("devil") while others see her as having a light side ("angel"). However, she sees herself simply as a girl in trouble, not necessarily in danger. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been approached by people who want to "save" her from feeling pain, but she recognizes that experiencing emotions like sadness and vulnerability is part of being human.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "All the things that I have seen qualify me for a part in your dream." This could be interpreted in a few different ways - perhaps the singer is suggesting that her life experiences make her relatable to listeners, or that she has knowledge or wisdom to share. However, she also notes that "the music hides it and conceals it," suggesting that there are limitations to what she can express through song.
Overall, the lyrics to "Some Say" are introspective and contemplative, exploring themes of identity, emotion, and perception.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say I got devil
Some people think I'm bad
Some say I got angel
Some people think I'm good
But I'm just a girl in trouble
But in reality, I'm just someone who is facing difficulties
I don't think I'm in danger
I don't believe I'm in a life-threatening situation
Don't think I'm in danger
I am sure that I'm not in danger
No, I know I'm not in danger
I am very certain that I'm not in any harm's way
But some have tried to sell me
However, some people have attempted to persuade me
All kinds of things to save me
To sell me various things that they believe will help me
From hurting like a woman, and crying like a baby
They want to prevent me from feeling emotions like sadness and vulnerability
Something like a woman, crying like a baby
They want me to hide my emotions and behave in a stereotypical feminine way
And all the things that I have seen
Everything that I have experienced throughout my life
Qualify me for a part in your dream
Gives me the ability to play a certain role in someone else's fantasy or imagination
Qualify me for this dream
Allows me to participate in a particular dream or vision that someone has
And though I'd like to tell it
Even though I want to express my feelings about something
Exactly how I feel it
The way I truly experience it inside
Somehow the music
Somehow the melody or the rhythm of the song
Hides it and conceals it
Obscures my true emotions and thoughts
Hides it and conceals it
Camouflages my genuine sentiments
Oh, it hides
The music is effective in hiding my true emotions
And all the things that I have seen
All the things that I've experienced throughout my life
Can be hidden in a part of my dream
Can be concealed in a small part of my imagination or vision
Gonna hide it in my dream
I will keep it hidden in my own fantasies and mental images
Some say I've got devil
Some people think I'm evil
Some say I got angel
Some people believe I'm good
But I'm just this girl in trouble
But in reality, I'm just someone who is dealing with difficulties
I don't think I'm in danger
I am confident that I'm not in any harm's way
No I'm not in danger
I'm certain that I'm not in any kind of danger
No, I know I'm not in danger
I'm fully aware that I'm not in any danger
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELANIE SAFKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lastrada52
Very respectable cover...good job Will. Good sincere vocals.
This was always a stunning song by Melanie. I was surprised when many blues artists didn't pick up on it way back in 1971. Melanie put it on the flipside of one of her hit singles. I listened to this instead.
Seems it's never too late to discover real gems.
@bildamilda3133
Will Oldham makes the best covers
@Spectrescup
I thought Palace were the best band of the 90's, and i adored Joya beyond reason.
However, over the past 20 years ive gained by far the greatest pleasure from his cover versions.
@19toke
such a great song...amazing cover...so mellow and blue.....and not many ppl have heard this song...im lucky...heard it playing on an indie satelite station and i was llike WOW!!! what a melancholy mood...thanx for posting it up!!!
@astroboinkin
just saw Melanie last night . she did this song . I never heard it before ; loved it ! So I looked up other versions ...love this version too
@indiatastic
I heard the Morrissey version first, didn't know it was a cover until 3 months ago, then found Melanie and this one just today.
@weetam50
One of Melanie's best songs
@19toke
7 years later still my fav version !! Lol
@groovyguru1379
WOW you do a fantastic version of this great song I love it!
@mysteryc07
I would love to do a cover like this. I love this song so much, and appreciate this artist's interpretation 💜