Born Grace Martine Tandon -- "daya" is the Hindi word for "grace" in a nod to her Indian grandfather -- and raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon, she began taking piano lessons at the age of three, and moved on to voice lessons at the age of ten. Songwriting came later, and in 2014 she signed with the Z-Entertainment label based on her demos. A year later, her single "Hide Away" took off thanks to early online support, becoming a hit across the globe and receiving multi-platinum certification. In 2015, Daya issued her debut self-titled EP on Artbeatz. Both "Hide Away" and the follow-up, double-platinum single "Sit Still, Look Pretty" rose to the Top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, with a number 14 debut on the Heatseekers chart. She later contributed vocals to the Chainsmokers' enduring 2016 smash "Don't Let Me Down" (which went on to win the Grammy for Best Dance Recording). Daya's debut, Sit Still, Look Pretty, was released later that year. The album peaked in the Top 40 in the U.S. and Canada, and was eventually certified gold in the U.S. and silver in the U.K.
In 2017, she appeared on the Gryffin and Illenium track "Feel Good," later releasing her own singles "Safe" and "New," the latter of which became a modest hit in the U.S. and Australia. This marked the start of a multi-year period of standalone single, collaboration, and EP releases. Of the dozen or so fresh tracks that she would release at the turn of the decade, 2019's electronic-dance bop "Insomnia," "Wanted" with NOTD, and "Keeping It in the Dark" from the 13 Reasons Why soundtrack made dents on international charts and streaming services. In 2021, she issued her second EP, The Difference, which included the electro-pop banger "First Time" and the Charlie Puth-assisted hit "Bad Girl." Also that year, she delivered the non-album single, "What If I Told You," and "Evil" from the Blade Runner: Black Lotus anime soundtrack. Another single, the sultry and dance-oriented "Love You When You're Gone," arrived in June 2022 as the first track off her third EP, In Between Dreams. In 2023, Daya revealed that she had become a fully independent artist, gaining control over her sound and image. That year, she began a steady rollout of singles, dropping one every few weeks, starting with June's trip-hop-leaning "Juliene." ~ Neil Z. Yeung
Talk
Daya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm rocking Shirley Temple, the cherry on the cake
Just a throwback kid from the nineties
I start my ABCs with the YZ
I paint with different colors and never in the lines
There isn't any other, I am the prototype
Tick tock, waste time with your rumors
But I'm so ice cold, good humor
They say I'm outta my mind
Standing on the outside
It's cooler, it's fresher
I like to hear 'em
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
Give 'em something, a little something
A, a little something to talk about
Give 'em something, a little something
A, a little something to talk about
I don't believe in Yeezus, I like 'em Kanye West
I'm rocking dirty sneakers with my designer dress
Order a grade A steak with my pommes frites
I wake you up, Starbucks, sleep on me
They say I'm outta my mind
Standing on the outside
It's cooler, it's fresher
I like to hear it
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
Give 'em something, a little something
A, a little something to talk about
Give 'em something, a little something
A, a little something to talk about
No, you don't know what
What you talking 'bout
No, you don't know me
So just shut your mouth
No, you don't know what
What you talking 'bout
No, you don't know me
So just shut your
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
Give 'em something, a little something
A, a little something to talk about
Give 'em something, a little something
A, a little something to talk about
The lyrics of Daya's song "Talk" seem to be about self-confidence and ignoring negative rumors and criticism. Daya seems to be celebrating her uniqueness and individuality, as she describes herself as not being "plain and simple," but rather like "another lane." She mentions classic elements of her childhood, such as "rocking Shirley Temple" and starting her ABCs with "YZ," but also expresses herself in ways that are more unconventional, such as "painting with different colors and never in the lines." Despite the rumors and criticism that might come her way, Daya seems unbothered and confident, describing herself as "so ice cold, good humor."
The chorus emphasizes Daya's disregard for negative opinions, as she sings, "They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway / Might as well give 'em something / Might as well give 'em something to talk about." This suggests that instead of trying to please others or conform to their expectations, Daya would rather just be herself and give them something to discuss. She repeats the phrase "give 'em something, a little something / A, a little something to talk about" throughout the song, confirming her determination to not let negativity bring her down.
Overall, the song seems like an empowering anthem about staying true to oneself and not letting others' opinions shape one's identity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not that plain and simple, I mean another lane
I am unique and not like everyone else. I have my own way of doing things and don't follow the norm.
I'm rocking Shirley Temple, the cherry on the cake
I have a vibrant and fun personality that stands out. I am the highlight of the party or event.
Just a throwback kid from the nineties
I have a love for the past and appreciate the culture from the 90s. It has influenced my personality and style.
I start my ABCs with the YZ
I have my own way of doing things and don't follow the rules or traditional methods. I like to stand out and be different.
I paint with different colors and never in the lines
I am a unique individual who embraces my creativity without being restricted by societal norms or expectations. I refuse to be confined to a box.
There isn't any other, I am the prototype
I am one of a kind and cannot be replicated. I am an original and refuse to be anything else.
Tick tock, waste time with your rumors
I am unbothered by rumors and gossip because they are a waste of time. I choose to focus on positive things and ignore negativity.
But I'm so ice cold, good humor
I have a calm, cool demeanor and a positive attitude. I am not easily shaken or defeated by challenges.
They say I'm outta my mind
People often criticize me or judge me for being different, but I embrace my unique perspective and personality.
Standing on the outside
I am not part of the mainstream or society's norm, I stand out and do things my own way.
It's cooler, it's fresher
Being different is not a negative thing. In fact, it can be seen as cool and refreshing to others.
I like to hear 'em
I am confident in myself and my abilities that even negative comments or criticism can be seen as a positive. It means I am making an impact and being talked about.
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
People will always have their opinions and say what they want, whether positive or negative. I can't control that.
Might as well give 'em something
Instead of being passive and letting others dictate the narrative, I choose to take control and give people something to talk about.
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
I embrace being different and being the center of attention. I am unapologetically myself.
Give 'em something, a little something
I choose to give people something to talk about, even if it's just a little something. I have a desire to impact the world and be remembered.
No, you don't know what What you talking 'bout No, you don't know me So just shut your mouth
Others may talk about me and make assumptions, but they don't truly know me or my story. It's best for them to not speak on things they are not informed on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TEAL DOUVILLE, BRITTEN NEWBILL, GINO BARLETTA, GRACE TANDON, MICHAEL FONSECA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dina Lestari Simanjuntak
I'm not that plain and simple, I'm in another lane
I'm like a Shirley Temple, the cherry on the cake
Just a throwback kid from the nineties
I start my ABCs with the YZ
I paint with different colors and never in the lines
There isn't any other, I am the prototype
Tick tock, waste time with your rumors
But I'm so ice cold, good humor
They say I'm outta my mind
Standing on the outside
It's cooler, it's fresher
I like it here
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
(Give 'em something, a little something, ah, a little)
Something to talk about
(Give 'em something, a little something, ah, a little)
Something to talk about
I don't believe in Yeezus, I like 'em Kanye West
I'm rocking dirty sneakers with my designer dress
Would do a grade A steak with my pomme frite
I wake you up, Starbucks, sleep on me
They say I'm outta my mind
Standing on the outside
It's cooler, it's fresher
I like it here
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
(Give 'em something, a little something, ah, a little)
Something to talk about
(Give 'em something, a little something, ah, a little)
Something to talk about
No, you don't know what
What you talking 'bout
No, you don't know me
So just shut your mouth
No, you don't know what
What you talking 'bout
No, you don't know me
So just shut your...
They all gonna say what they wanna say anyway
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
I don't really care if they wanna stare, look at me
Might as well give 'em something
Might as well give 'em something to talk about
(Give 'em something, a little something, ah, a little)
Something to talk about
(Give 'em something, a little something, ah, a little)
Something to talk about
daya dreamers
Daya deserves a grammy for this album
Angeline Bena
She deserves more recognization than what she owns
Irene Lee
YES!!♡
jouwella
DAYA'S VOICE IS SO BEAUTIFUL 😍
Delaney Billion
jouwella yea she should be recognized as a butiful singer
Tanzeela Shahid
I know, right?
Tanzeela Shahid
@Delaney Billion beautiful*
α ƒεï†αη šïmp
@Tanzeela Shahid she wrote it right?
Nelsa Tiemtoré
I can really relate to this song! Thank you Daya! This is my new favorite song
Urko De Pedro
Every song it's amazing and deserves to be on the top of iTunes