"Flawlessly written and performed, and produced with uncommon skill and grace - it's likely one of the best singer/songwriter records of 2012, and most any year that came before." - AllMusic (4,5/5 stars)
say it isn't so
Dylan Mondegreen Lyrics
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With soft cold hands you stroke my hair
And tell me that somehow you do still care
Our summer fling did in the end
Turn my love songs into foolish laments
I'm embarrassed at what women do to men
Why you do not love me anymore
Say it isn't so
When you first appeared that summer's day
I was starry-eyed and blown away
I never thought a thing like this could break
But after a while we had frequent fights
And during sex you turned off the lights
Then afterwards said nothing, just kept quiet
I'm lying on the floor, just wondering
Why you do not love me anymore
Say it isn't so
The lyrics of "Say it isn't so" by Dylan Mondegreen convey the feeling of a man who is still in love with his partner despite the end of their summer fling. The scent of autumn represents the change in season and the ending of their relationship. The tactile gesture of stroking his hair signifies an attempt to mend their relationship by showing affection, however, the singer realizes that their love songs have turned to laments and he is embarrassed by the change in his demeanor.
The singer has lost his innocence and is lying on the floor, wondering why his partner does not love him anymore. He recalls the beginning of their relationship where he was "starry-eyed and blown away", but their constant fights and lack of communication during intimate moments caused their relationship to break. He longs for his partner's love and is in denial about the end of their relationship, asking them to say it isn't so.
Line by Line Meaning
The scent of autumn fills the air
As the leaves start to turn and fall, the hope of our once-bright relationship dissipates
With soft cold hands you stroke my hair
Your touch is distant and unfeeling, despite the physical closeness between us
And tell me that somehow you do still care
Your words are empty and lack conviction, leaving me unsure whether to believe you
Our summer fling did in the end
Our passionate, carefree romance couldn't withstand the realities of everyday life
Turn my love songs into foolish laments
The music I once sang with joy and optimism now feels like misguided longing and regret
I'm embarrassed at what women do to men
I feel ashamed that my heart was so easily won over, and that I fell for your half-hearted expressions of love
I'm lying on the floor, I wonder
As I lay here in emotional distress, I question how our relationship reached such a painful and uncertain place
Why you do not love me anymore
My heart aches with the realization that your feelings have changed, and that our love is fading away
Say it isn't so
I desperately hope that you'll deny these painful truths, and that our love can still be salvaged
When you first appeared that summer's day
I was entranced by your charm and beauty, and believed we had a strong connection
I was starry-eyed and blown away
You swept me off my feet and filled me with wonder and excitement
I never thought a thing like this could break
I never imagined that our love could crumble and turn into the heartbreak we're experiencing now
But after a while we had frequent fights
As the initial euphoria of our relationship wore off, we started to see each other's flaws and argue more often
And during sex you turned off the lights
Even our physical intimacy started to feel distant and disconnected, as you withdrew and shut me out
Then afterwards said nothing, just kept quiet
Your lack of communication and emotional openness only added to the confusion and pain I'm feeling now
I'm lying on the floor, just wondering
The cold, hard ground beneath me mirrors the weight of sadness and uncertainty in my heart
Why you do not love me anymore
I'm grappling with the realization that our love has faded and that you no longer feel the way you once did
Say it isn't so
The small hope I'm clinging to is that you'll tell me the pain I'm feeling isn't real and that you still love me as you once did
Contributed by Isaiah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.