Say Yes To Life
Gang of Youths Lyrics


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There's a sadness in the heart
Now of the imitation zone
Don't forget about your brothers
If you go at it alone
And I could almost take a whole life
To disclose how I feel about the now
But can't give you an insightful conclusion
So if time is predicated
On abstractions in a void
Do not subjugate yourself
Capitulating to the noise
If I could reach out through the screen
And give you something to believe in I would
But I'm with you in amongst the confusion

It's ok
Don't fear
Go be part of the new sincere
Do not let your heart go
To shit enslaved to ephemera

Our childhood is memory
Still ascended high in dreams
And I'm suspending what I held for
Preconceptions of my being
I only say this to affirm
Our time is short
But we've will to carry on
Transcend with our scars and contusions

I was furious and dumb
Lighting fires through the town
I'd play the fiddle and forget whatever
I was pissed about
I know that most of you relates
To some extent
And god, I know how lame it sounds
But I'm glad I became more human

Stay
Don't go
We're like halfway
Through the halftime show
Do not let this one end
Before you
Emerge as the winner

Hey it's me and I'm bringing you a case of Dry
And words un-engendered fuck this
Dumb city sleeps in the night
And I won't leave you hanging in the wind
So let me love with a vengeance
My sad sweet and unfinished friend

And we can go and mock the skyline
Now, those bourgie windows
Full of dickheads we don't know a thing about
You wanna feel absolved tonight
I've heard what you're saying
It's ok not to be so alright

But don't be alone
Did I tell you that I spent most
Of my sister's wedding stoned?
Say what you want
With blood and bone
And stick a finger in their faces
When they say you're overblown

Say yes to sun!
Say yes to pain!
Say yes to sticking with a city
Through a thousand days of rain!

Say yes to grace!
Say no to spite!
Say yes to this!
Say yes to you!
Say yes to me!
Say yes to love!
Say yes to life!





Say, say yes to life!

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics of "Say Yes to Life" by Gang of Youths depict a certain sadness that exists within people. The world has become an imitation zone, full of abstractions and noise, and it's easy to forget about the importance of our relationships with others. Throughout the song, the idea of time is explored, suggesting that it's short and ultimately relies on how willing we are to carry on despite the scars and contusions life inevitably gives us. The lyrics demonstrate the lead singer's attempts to try and make sense of the confusion around him, and although he may not have an insightful conclusion, he offers words of encouragement by saying, "go be part of the new sincere."


The idea of unity through struggle is also a prominent theme in the song. The singer acknowledges that most people relate to the experience of being furious and dumb, but he's glad he became more human because of it. He implores the listener not to be alone and instead stick together to fight against those who say we're overblown. The song finishes with an emphatic message to "say yes to life," to both the good and the bad, and to stand up for ourselves and what we believe in.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a sadness in the heart
The heart is experiencing a sorrowful feeling


Now of the imitation zone
The current situation is lacking originality or authenticity


Don't forget about your brothers
Don't neglect the people who support and care for you


If you go at it alone
If you try to handle everything by yourself


And I could almost take a whole life
It would take a very long time


To disclose how I feel about the now
To fully express my current emotions


But can't give you an insightful conclusion
However, I cannot provide a profound resolution


So if time is predicated
If the passage of time is based on


On abstractions in a void
On intangible concepts that lack substance


Do not subjugate yourself
Do not allow yourself to be oppressed


Capitulating to the noise
Giving in to the meaningless distractions


If I could reach out through the screen
If it were possible for me to connect with you electronically


And give you something to believe in I would
And provide you with a reason to have faith, I would


But I'm with you in amongst the confusion
But I am here with you in the middle of the chaos


It's ok
It's all right


Don't fear
Do not be afraid


Go be part of the new sincere
Be involved in the latest, genuine movement


Do not let your heart go
Do not allow your emotions


To shit enslaved to ephemera
To become enslaved to fleeting trends or transitory things


Our childhood is memory
Our memories make up our childhood


Still ascended high in dreams
Still vivid in our dreams


And I'm suspending what I held for
And I am questioning my previous beliefs


Preconceptions of my being
Preexisting notions about myself


I only say this to affirm
I say this only to confirm


Our time is short
Our time is limited


But we've will to carry on
But we have the determination to continue


Transcend with our scars and contusions
Rise above our physical and emotional wounds


I was furious and dumb
I was both angry and foolish


Lighting fires through the town
Setting fires throughout the town


I'd play the fiddle and forget whatever
I would play music and let go of my anger


I was pissed about
What was bothering me


I know that most of you relates
I know that many of you can identify


To some extent
To a certain degree


And god, I know how lame it sounds
And I am aware of how uncool this may sound


But I'm glad I became more human
But I am thankful that I am now more compassionate and empathetic


Stay
Remain


Don't go
Do not leave


We're like halfway
We are approximately halfway


Through the halftime show
Through the intermission


Do not let this one end
Do not let this moment come to a close


Before you
Before you achieve your goal


Emerge as the winner
Ultimately triumph


Hey it's me and I'm bringing you a case of Dry
Hey, it's me and I am bringing you a case of alcohol


And words un-engendered fuck this
And unspoken words, screw this


Dumb city sleeps in the night
The city is asleep during the night


And I won't leave you hanging in the wind
And I will not abandon you


So let me love with a vengeance
So let me love passionately


My sad sweet and unfinished friend
My dear, melancholy and imperfect friend


And we can go and mock the skyline
And we can go and ridicule the cityscape


Now, those bourgie windows
Those fancy windows


Full of dickheads we don't know a thing about
Occupied by people we do not know anything about


You wanna feel absolved tonight
You want to feel forgiven tonight


I've heard what you're saying
I have heard your words


It's ok not to be so alright
It is okay not to be completely fine


But don't be alone
But do not be by yourself


Did I tell you that I spent most
Have I informed you that I spent a majority


Of my sister's wedding stoned?
Of my sister's wedding under the influence of drugs?


Say what you want
Speak your mind


With blood and bone
With passion and conviction


And stick a finger in their faces
And defy their expectations


When they say you're overblown
When they claim that you are excessive


Say yes to sun!
Embrace and celebrate the sun


Say yes to pain!
Acknowledge and accept pain


Say yes to sticking with a city
Say yes to remaining loyal to a city


Through a thousand days of rain!
Even through the toughest of times


Say yes to grace!
Say yes to forgiveness and kindness


Say no to spite!
Refrain from bitterness and malice


Say yes to this!
Say yes to life in this moment


Say yes to you!
Believe in yourself and your abilities


Say yes to me!
Accept and love who I am


Say yes to love!
Cherish and embrace love


Say yes to life!
Choose to embrace life and all that it offers


Say, say yes to life!
Emphasizing the importance of choosing life




Writer(s): David Immanuel Menachem Sasagi Leaupepe

Contributed by Taylor N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

rizqi aul

There’s a sadness in the heart now of the imitation zone
Don’t forget about your brothers if you go at it alone
And I could almost take a whole life
To disclose how I feel about the now
Can’t give you an insightful conclusion
So if time is predicated on abstractions in a void
Do not subjugate yourself capitulating to the noise
If I could reach out through the screen
And give you something to believe in, I would
But I’m with you in amongst the confusion
It’s okay, don’t fear
Go be part of the new sincere
Do not let your heart go
To shit, enslaved to ephemera

[Verse 2]
Our childhood is memory, still ascended high in dreams
And I’m suspending what I held for preconceptions of my being
I only say this to affirm our time is short
But we’ve will to carry on
Transcend with our scars and contusions
I was furious and dumb, lighting fires through the town
I’d play the fiddle and forget whatever I was pissed about
I know that most of you relates to some extent
And God, I know how lame it sounds
But I’m glad I became more human
Stay, don’t go
We’re like halfway through the halftime show
Do not let this one end
Before you emerge as the winner


[Verse 3]
Hey, it’s me, I’m bringing you a case of Dry
And words un-engendered fuck this, dumb city sleeps in the night
And I won’t leave you hanging in the wind
So let me love with a vengeance
My sad, sweet and unfinished friend
And we can go and mock the skyline now
Those bourgie windows full of dickheads
We don’t know a thing about
You wanna feel absolved tonight
I’ve heard what you’re saying, it’s okay not to be so alright

[Outro]
But don’t be alone
Did I tell you that I spent most of my sister’s wedding stoned?
Say what you want with blood and bone
And stick a finger in their faces when they say you’re overblown
Say yes to sun! Say yes to pain!
Say yes to sticking with a city through a thousand days of rain!
Say yes to grace! Say no to spite!
Say yes to this! Say yes to you!
Say yes to me! Say yes to love!
Say yes to life!
Say, say yes to life!



All comments from YouTube:

Evelyn Villanueva

Fucking masterpiece. It's been in my head 24/7, such a relief to listen to it. I love this band so fucking much.

Just Monika

respect for muse pfp

Nite_Tek

"stay, don't go, we're like halfway through this halftime show" i love this lyric its just amazing

Filipe Carvalho

I think about my depression and the feeling of loneliness it comes with it and in my darkest days this song is my lifeline. Thanks for this mate

Archie Beattie

This song helps me through a lot, thank you for making this.

o.

the past week hadn't been good for my mental health. this song brings me hope and joy and the feeling of not being completely alone.

rizqi aul

There’s a sadness in the heart now of the imitation zone
Don’t forget about your brothers if you go at it alone
And I could almost take a whole life
To disclose how I feel about the now
Can’t give you an insightful conclusion
So if time is predicated on abstractions in a void
Do not subjugate yourself capitulating to the noise
If I could reach out through the screen
And give you something to believe in, I would
But I’m with you in amongst the confusion
It’s okay, don’t fear
Go be part of the new sincere
Do not let your heart go
To shit, enslaved to ephemera

[Verse 2]
Our childhood is memory, still ascended high in dreams
And I’m suspending what I held for preconceptions of my being
I only say this to affirm our time is short
But we’ve will to carry on
Transcend with our scars and contusions
I was furious and dumb, lighting fires through the town
I’d play the fiddle and forget whatever I was pissed about
I know that most of you relates to some extent
And God, I know how lame it sounds
But I’m glad I became more human
Stay, don’t go
We’re like halfway through the halftime show
Do not let this one end
Before you emerge as the winner


[Verse 3]
Hey, it’s me, I’m bringing you a case of Dry
And words un-engendered fuck this, dumb city sleeps in the night
And I won’t leave you hanging in the wind
So let me love with a vengeance
My sad, sweet and unfinished friend
And we can go and mock the skyline now
Those bourgie windows full of dickheads
We don’t know a thing about
You wanna feel absolved tonight
I’ve heard what you’re saying, it’s okay not to be so alright

[Outro]
But don’t be alone
Did I tell you that I spent most of my sister’s wedding stoned?
Say what you want with blood and bone
And stick a finger in their faces when they say you’re overblown
Say yes to sun! Say yes to pain!
Say yes to sticking with a city through a thousand days of rain!
Say yes to grace! Say no to spite!
Say yes to this! Say yes to you!
Say yes to me! Say yes to love!
Say yes to life!
Say, say yes to life!

Molten_

Love the message you guys are sharing with your music

k1awdttt

In this time with so much distance between people, this song is like pure bliss that reminds me, and hopefully you too, of what living should feel like. Say yes to the world!

Naomi Wood

why did they cut it short? :( don't get me wrong though one of my favourite songs of all time.

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