What Can I Say
Carrie Underwood feat. Sons of Sylvia Lyrics


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Piercing words, eyes are red
Watched your taillights in the rain
Empty heart filled with regret
I know we were both to blame

And I'm not sorry that it's over
But for the way we let it end
So I said all I had to say
In letters that I threw away

And you should know, please believe me
I've picked up the phone a thousand times
And tried to dial your number, but it's been so long
It's never easy, it's like tryin' to spin the world the other way
What can I say?

How did it come to this?
I think about you all the time
It's no excuse, but I wish
That I never made you cry

I'm not sorry that it's over
But for the way we let it end
I couldn't find the words to say

And you should know, please believe me
I've picked up the phone a thousand times
And tried to dial your number, but it's been so long
It's never easy, it's like tryin' to spin the world the other way
So what can I say? What can I say?
What can I say? What can I say?

I hate to think all you had of me
(I said all I had to say)
Is a memory I left you, space between what was meant to be
(In letters that I threw away)
And the mess that it turned into

And you should know, please believe me
I've picked up the phone a thousand times
And tried to dial your number, but it's been so long
It's never easy, it's like tryin' to spin the world the other way
It's like tryin' to spin the world the other way




What can I say? What can I say?
What can I say?

Overall Meaning

"What Can I Say" is a soulful rendition by Carrie Underwood featuring Sons of Sylvia about regret and lost love. The first verse describes a painful breakup, “watched your taillights in the rain” after having said all they had to say through unsent letters. They are not sorry that the relationship ended, but regretful about how it ended. The chorus emotionally speaks of trying to reach out to the other person but being unable to do so, “I’ve picked up the phone a thousand times and tried to dial your number, but it’s been so long, it’s never easy” yet unable to express themselves.


The second verse reveals that the person still loves their ex-partner and thinks about them often, but they cannot undo their actions that made them cry. The bridge highlights that the only thing they left behind was a memory, and now they struggle with the space between what was meant to be and the mess it turned into. The song ends with a mournful “what can I say?” questioning whether anything could have made a difference.


Line by Line Meaning

Piercing words, eyes are red
Our conversation ended in harsh words and tears.


Watched your taillights in the rain
I saw you drive away in the rain which made everything seem even more mournful.


Empty heart filled with regret
I feel a deep sense of sadness over what happened between us and wish things could be different.


I know we were both to blame
I understand that we both had a part to play in the end of our relationship.


And I'm not sorry that it's over
I don't regret that our relationship is over, but I regret the way it ended.


But for the way we let it end
I wish we could have ended things in a more mature and understanding way.


So I said all I had to say
I tried to express everything that was on my mind but it didn't change the outcome.


In letters that I threw away
I wrote my feelings down in letters but never sent them.


And you should know, please believe me
Even though we haven't spoken in a long time, I hope you understand how sincere I am.


I've picked up the phone a thousand times
I've tried to call you so many times but haven't had the courage to follow through.


It's never easy, it's like tryin' to spin the world the other way
Moving on from you is one of the hardest things I've had to do and it feels impossible.


How did it come to this?
I can't believe that our relationship ended up like this and it hurts so much.


I think about you all the time
You're always on my mind and it's hard to let go.


It's no excuse, but I wish
I know that my actions hurt you and I have no excuse for that. But I really wish I could take it all back.


That I never made you cry
Seeing you in pain because of me is something that I deeply regret and wish I could change.


I couldn't find the words to say
I struggled to express my true emotions and ended up not saying anything at all.


I hate to think all you had of me
I don't want to be remembered by you as someone who hurt you.


(I said all I had to say)
I expressed everything that was on my mind at the time, but maybe it wasn't enough.


Is a memory I left you, space between what was meant to be
I worry that all I left you with is hurt and space between the love that we once had.


(In letters that I threw away)
I wrote down my true feelings but never had the courage to share them with you.


And the mess that it turned into
Our relationship became a mess and I wish things had worked out differently.


What can I say?
I don't know what to say to make things right again.


What can I say?
I wish there was a way to turn back time and make things right again.


What can I say?
I'm at a loss for words and don't know how to fix what's broken.


What can I say?
I want to apologize and make things right but don't know how.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARRIE UNDERWOOD, DAVID HODGES, STEVE MC EWAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

mshcasey

my mom asked me why i played this song 20 times in a row.. my response: what can i say? i love carrie underwood!

Rajhi Levy

Who's still listening in 2020? This is one song that can never get old!

Judy Gatehouse

Listening in 2022!

Shaydah Marie

I haven't heard this song since I got this album when it first came out and for some reason I thought about it tonight. It's just one of those songs you can't forget. They sound so great together. Love it. <3

BronaghF1

When they sing the line 'I think about you all the time' It gives me the chills, just an amazing song.

Megan Hughes

Why didn't this make this the radio it's awesome!

Alexis Wohler

I know right?! It's an amazing song! It makes me think of a dear friend that I had to give up on...it got me through so many times of being disappointed by him. I still think of him whenever I sing it.

Lori Hitchcock

Ik ryt I just broke up with my ex in February this year after 3and a half years of being with him wish I heard this song before then

ranieldeguzman

i really love this song!

Rachel Quinn

I love this song!

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