Say
Costellos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a mess
And I fear I may confess
I'm a fool with or without her
Make up what you will about her
It's part of the game
I can't say her name
Shine a light
Right in my eyes
You'll never make me talk
Alibis I must protect
An alias you won't detect
I won't place the blame
I can't say her name
I whisper it so soft and slow
When I think no one's listening
No one knows
The thought of her so strong and slow
Stays on my mind
I won't ever let her go
How can I go to sleep?
When I know all too well I'm in this thing too deep
It's all I can do not to shout about it
I don't need your pity
I'm powerless and proud
And I don't feel ashamed
Oh, but I can't say her name
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Ba, ba, ba, ba ba
Ba-ba-ba, ba, ba ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba ba
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, doo, doo, ba, ba, ba, ba
Ba ba
(And that's all)
The lyrics of Costello's song "Say" explore the emotions and thoughts of someone who is struggling with their feelings for someone else. The singer feels like a mess and fears that if they confess their true feelings, they will appear foolish. They acknowledge that their emotions are a part of the game of love, but they can't bring themselves to say the person's name.
The second verse suggests that the singer is keeping their feelings hidden. They feel they have been left in the dark, and they won't let anyone shine a light on their true emotions. They have come up with alibis and an alias to protect themselves from being detected. The singer refuses to place the blame on anyone else, but they still cannot say the person's name.
The bridge reveals the intense longing the singer has for this person. They whisper the person's name when they think no one is listening, and it stays on their mind constantly. They will not let go of their feelings for this person.
The final verse expresses the internal struggle of the singer. They find it difficult to sleep because they are fully aware of how deeply invested they are in their feelings. They don't want pity from others and accept that they are powerless. Despite feeling proud and unashamed of their emotions, they still cannot bring themselves to say the person's name.
Overall, these lyrics depict the internal turmoil and conflicting feelings of someone who is deeply in love but finds it challenging to express their true emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I show my face?
I feel ashamed and embarrassed and I don't know how to face others.
I'm a mess
I am emotionally and mentally unstable.
And I fear I may confess
I am afraid that I might reveal my true feelings or secrets.
I'm a fool with or without her
I act foolishly, whether she is with me or not.
Make up what you will about her
Feel free to create your own interpretations or opinions about her.
It's part of the game
This is a situation where there are rules and expectations to follow.
I can't say her name
I cannot utter her name or reveal her identity.
I've been left in the dark
I have been kept uninformed or clueless about something.
Shine a light
Provide me with clarity and truth.
Right in my eyes
Directly and forcefully make me face the reality.
You'll never make me talk
You will not succeed in making me share information or admit the truth.
Alibis I must protect
I need to safeguard and maintain my reasons/excuses for my actions.
An alias you won't detect
You will not be able to discover the false identity I've created.
I won't place the blame
I refuse to accuse or hold someone responsible.
I can't say her name
I am still unable to mention or disclose her name.
I whisper it so soft and slow
I speak her name quietly and slowly, thinking no one is listening.
When I think no one's listening
When I believe that nobody is paying attention or eavesdropping.
No one knows
Nobody is aware or informed about my inner feelings and thoughts.
The thought of her so strong and slow
The idea or memory of her is powerful and lingers in my mind.
Stays on my mind
Continues to occupy and preoccupy my thoughts.
I won't ever let her go
I am determined to never separate from her or forget about her.
How can I go to sleep?
I find it difficult to rest or sleep peacefully.
When I know all too well I'm in this thing too deep
I am fully aware that I am deeply involved or invested in this situation.
It's all I can do not to shout about it
I struggle to restrain myself from openly expressing my feelings and thoughts.
I don't need your pity
I do not desire or require your sympathy or compassion.
I'm powerless and proud
I acknowledge my lack of control, but I still maintain a sense of dignity.
And I don't feel ashamed
Despite the circumstances, I do not experience guilt or embarrassment.
Oh, but I can't say her name
Nevertheless, I am still unable to mention her name.
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Vocalization without specific meaning.
Ba, ba, ba, ba ba
Continued vocalization without specific meaning.
Ba-ba-ba, ba, ba ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Extended vocalization without specific meaning.
Ba-ba-ba-ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba ba
Further extended vocalization without specific meaning.
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Ongoing vocalization without specific meaning.
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, doo, doo, ba, ba, ba, ba
Continued vocalization without specific meaning.
Ba ba
Repetitive vocalization without specific meaning.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kenzie M
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Gabriel Rice
yes lads