Born Edmond Montague Gr… Read Full Bio ↴Eddy Grant (b. 1948) is a Guyanese musician.
Born Edmond Montague Grant on the 5th March 1948 in Plaisance, Guyana, he emigrated with parents to London, England when he was still young. As a teenager he formed the multi-racial group The Equals. He sported dyed blonde hair, and had his first million-selling number-one hit in 1968, when he was the lead guitarist and main songwriter with his song "Baby Come Back". Grant openly used his songwriting for political purposes, as in " Police on My Back", and later "Gimme Hope Jo'anna" about the then-current apartheid regime of South Africa.
By the early 1980s Grant released Killer on the Rampage, using MTV exposure to have big hits in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia with the '80s techno reggae of "Electric Avenue", and following that up with the title song for the successful 1984 film Romancing the Stone. The album Walking on Sunshine produced the popular tracks "I Don't Wanna Dance" and "Gimme Hope Jo'anna".
Grant owns and operates a leading recording studio called Blue Wave in Barbados, near St Lawrence Gap, and it has hosted some of the world's top recording artists and producers over the years. He has produced music for the likes of Sting, Mick Jagger, and Elvis Costello.
Say I Love You
Eddy Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sit on the floor
I'll make us a coffee he'll keep you warm.
Remember the times we couldn't afford
Even the bare necessities
but we made it somehow.
And I love you
Tell me do you love me
do you love me still.
They tried to keep me down
you made me strong
And I love you
yes I love you girl.
Tried to sell a tune
nobody would buy.
Hunger and frustration nearly made me die
Pressure when it takes you can drive you wild.
Baby
you've got the kind of love that really drives me wild.
And I love you
yes I love you. . . .
Don't say it
oh child
Don't suck your teeth on me
no
no
Baby
Don't play child
you know you made a man out of me.
Take off your shoes
sit on the floor
. . .
And I love you
yes I love you. . . .
They tried to keep me down
. . .
The lyrics of Eddy Grant's song Say I Love You paint the picture of a couple reminiscing on their past struggles and hardships, yet finding solace in their love for each other. The opening lines, "Take off your shoes, sit on the floor, I'll make us a coffee he'll keep you warm," convey a sense of comfort and intimacy, as the two lovers sit together to share a moment. The line "Remember the times we couldn't afford even the bare necessities" speaks to their past struggles, likely related to financial hardship. However, despite their difficulties, they were able to persevere and make it through together.
The chorus, "And I love you, yes I love you. Tell me do you love me, do you love me still," reinforces the theme of love and affection, as the singer expresses their love for their partner, while seeking affirmation of that love in return. The line "They tried to keep me down, you made me strong" suggests that the singer had encountered obstacles in their life but was able to overcome them with the support of their partner.
The second verse speaks to the theme of perseverance and the struggle to succeed. The line "Tried to sell a tune, nobody would buy. Hunger and frustration nearly made me die" implies that the singer had faced rejection and struggled to make a living from their music. However, the line "Pressure when it takes you can drive you wild" suggests that the singer was able to find motivation and inspiration in their love for the person they are speaking to.
Overall, the song aptly illustrates the idea that love can provide a source of strength and motivation to overcome hardships and challenges in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Take off your shoes
Let's relax and get comfortable.
sit on the floor
Let's sit down and have a chat.
I'll make us a coffee he'll keep you warm.
Let me make us some coffee to enjoy while we talk.
Remember the times we couldn't afford
Let's reflect on the past when we struggled financially.
Even the bare necessities
We couldn't even afford basic things.
but we made it somehow.
Despite the hardships, we managed to overcome them.
And I love you
I want you to know that I love you.
yes I love you.
My love for you is real and strong.
Tell me do you love me
Do you feel the same way about me?
do you love me still.
Do you still love me after all these years?
They tried to keep me down
I faced obstacles and setbacks.
you made me strong
But your love and support helped me stay strong.
Tried to sell a tune
I faced rejection in my music career.
nobody would buy.
My music wasn't successful.
Hunger and frustration nearly made me die
I almost gave up due to extreme hunger and frustration.
Pressure when it takes you can drive you wild.
The pressure I faced almost drove me crazy.
Baby
My dear.
you've got the kind of love that really drives me wild.
Your love is so passionate and intense, it drives me crazy.
Don't say it
Don't even say it.
oh child
My dear.
Don't suck your teeth on me
Don't roll your eyes or show annoyance towards me.
no
That's not okay.
Baby
My dear.
Don't play child
Don't act immature or childish.
you know you made a man out of me.
Your love helped me become a better person.
They tried to keep me down
I faced adversity in life.
And I love you
Despite everything, I still love you.
yes I love you. . . .
My love for you is unwavering.
Take off your shoes
Let's relax and be comfortable.
sit on the floor
Let's sit and enjoy each other's company.
And I love you
I want you to know that I love you.
yes I love you. . . .
My love for you endures.
They tried to keep me down
I faced adversity but overcame it with your help.
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter DeCoteau
One of the greatest Caribbean musician.
9186SZ
Eddy Grant = musical genius
Marty Warner
Nothing beats Originals...
San Sha
WOW!! This song popped into my mind, yesterday. My story: in Dec. 1977, my dear Mother took us (my little 5yr old Can-Guy sis & myself -11yrs old) to beautiful Guyana, for Christmas. What a trip! Huge snow storm hindered our journey; took us almost a week to get there! However, we made it just in time for Christmas Day! Lots of ups and scary downs happened on that adventure. One very nice memory, was hearing this great song, for the first time!! We danced to it several times a day!! Here it is, now, Christmas 2019 and I'm sent back in a time machine!! Thanks, for posting this! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Cheers, Eddy Grant!!
Deceased
Just brought me right back to dad’s cricket club, dominos madness, great food, great revelers, been tryin’o peace the memory of it together for dECades, never sang enough for anybody to recognize, now I’ve never once missed fi’mi daddi mORe, priceless measure✌🏽💥
Roswell Depeiza
One of the electric man best.
Phebean Samura
Good memories in high school. Good old days in Sierra Leone.. I used to love this music. Life was good.
J Ford
Classic and Renee Geyer did a great cover version.
PR
dang and i think blondies version of 'tide is high' is the best too. what's happening to me. musical youth's version of pass the [dutchie] might also edge it. i think it was that period and perhaps also my impressionability but early 80's pop covers seem to have it.
PR
i'm all about originals but renee geyer's version is much better! i'm a music guy too. it may be because i haven't really heard this one before (even tho youtube is saying that i have). i mean i love reggae, rap and all that but renee geyer wins this!