James won Ireland's answer to the Mercury (the Choice Music Prize for 'Song of the Year') and saw his debut EP ('Say Hello') remain on the Irish chart for over 6 months. This rise and development in his home market has gained James sell-out headline dates and wider support tours with the likes of Lianne La Havas, Beth Orton, Kodaline and Marina & The Diamonds.
A snapshot of this ascent, 'Live at Whelans' is a selection of new and old songs performed in the stripped-back environment of a rapturously-received hometown show. The first track to be lifted from it, 'Nervous', is a pin-drop account of a one-sided relationship: from that initial fear of your first meeting to the gradual realisation, by the end of the song, that perhaps they were never who you thought they were (and it's best to forget about them).
James released his eagerly-anticipated debut album, ‘Bitter Pill’ on March 11th 2016 – having already gone Top 5, been certified Platinum and winner of Choice Music Prize’s ‘Song of the Year’ in his native Ireland in 2013 and 2016. Following a sold-out London show at KOKO, support across Spotify (Spotlight Artists for 2016), Radio 1, Virgin Radio, Beats 1 and Radio X, Gavin had an extensive UK tour, European tour, US tour and Australian dates, that featured Shepherd’s Bush Empire on October 7th 2016 in London and 3Arena on December 2016 in Dublin. Gavin has over 150 million total streams on Spotify already and live performances on Late Late Show with James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live, BBC One Show and C’est A Vous.
Say Hello
Gavin James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
take my memories
and no more insecuries
leave me as I am
and do it all over again
I want you to see
'Cause lately all i think about
cause we were never meant to last
that much is true
But you know
that I will say with you,
but I don't wanna hurt you,
just so you know,
please don't go
go go
well I'll say goodbye
just to say hello
hello
See I don't care about the others
you had a choice of something new
if you hadn't lied about your lovers
we'd have a chance of something true
well i know this is hard for you,
like its hard for me
Is this what people do when its harder to breathe
and you know i could stay with you
But I don't wanna hurt you
just so you know
please don't go-o-o
and I'll say goodbye just to say hello
hello
'Cause I know this is hard for you
like its hard for me
is this what people do
when its harder to breathe?
but it's not easy
to fall of love
but sincerity
is all that I'm thinking of
ohhhh
is all that i'm thinking of
but just so you know
just so you kno-ow
that I say goodbye just to say hello
The song "Say Hello" by Gavin James is an emotional and introspective ballad about a relationship that is coming to an end. The singer is torn between their desire to stay with this person, and their awareness that it is probably not the best decision. Throughout the song, they express their feelings of confusion and uncertainty, as well as their fear of hurting their partner. The lyrics suggest that the couple has been through a lot together, including infidelity, and that their love is not enough to overcome these obstacles.
The singer's internal struggles are reflected in the melody and instrumentation of the song. It has a slow, melancholic pace that emphasizes the weight of the lyrics. The chorus is particularly powerful, with James singing "I'll say goodbye just to say hello" as if he is struggling to let go of something that he knows is not healthy for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooh
The songwriter uses this sound as an expression of emotion.
take my memories
The songwriter is willing to let go of all the memories he and his partner shared.
and no more insecurities
The songwriter wants his partner to stop being insecure when they are together.
leave me as I am
The songwriter wants his partner to accept him for who he is.
and do it all over again
The songwriter wants to start afresh with his partner.
I want you to see
The songwriter wants his partner to understand his feelings.
'Cause lately all I think about
The songwriter is consumed by thoughts of finding ways to make the relationship work.
is different ways to figure this one out
The songwriter is trying to come up with different solutions to fix their relationship.
cause we were never meant to last
The songwriter acknowledges that their relationship was not meant to work out in the long run.
that much is true
The songwriter is certain about their relationship's fate.
But you know
The songwriter addresses his partner with the following lines.
that I will stay with you
The songwriter promises to stick around for his partner.
but I don't wanna hurt you
The songwriter doesn't want to cause his partner any pain.
just so you know
The songwriter wants his partner to be aware of his intentions.
please don't go
The songwriter doesn't want his partner to leave him.
go go
The songwriter emphasizes his plea for his partner to stay with him.
well I'll say goodbye
The songwriter is willing to let go of the past.
just to say hello
The songwriter wants to start a new chapter with his partner.
hello
The songwriter greets his partner with the following line.
See I don't care about the others
The songwriter doesn't care about their past partners.
you had a choice of something new
The songwriter acknowledges his partner's desire to seek new things.
if you hadn't lied about your lovers
The songwriter accuses his partner of being dishonest in their past relationships.
we'd have a chance of something true
The songwriter believes that if his partner had been truthful, their relationship could have worked out.
Well, I know this is hard for you
The songwriter is aware that their current situation is tough for his partner.
like it's hard for me
The songwriter also acknowledges that he is struggling with their current situation.
Is this what people do when it's harder to breathe
The songwriter questions whether it's normal for people to struggle in their relationships.
and you know I could stay with you
The songwriter reiterates that he could stay with his partner.
But I don't wanna hurt you
The songwriter still doesn't want to cause any pain to his partner.
and I'll say goodbye just to say hello
The songwriter is willing to end their relationship briefly, just to start anew.
hello
The songwriter greets his partner again.
'Cause I know this is hard for you
The songwriter reiterates how difficult their situation is for his partner.
like it's hard for me
The songwriter also acknowledges again how tough things are for him.
Is this what people do when it's harder to breathe?
The songwriter repeats his earlier question, hinting at his doubts about their relationship.
But it's not easy to fall out of love
The songwriter acknowledges that falling out of love with someone is difficult.
but sincerity is all that I'm thinking of
The songwriter values sincerity and honesty in a relationship.
ohhhh
The songwriter expresses his emotions through sound.
is all that I'm thinking of
The songwriter reiterates the importance of sincerity in their relationship.
but just so you know
The songwriter once again wants his partner to be aware of his intentions.
just so you kno-ow
The songwriter repeats himself for emphasis.
that I say goodbye just to say hello
The songwriter concludes that he is willing to end their relationship briefly to start anew.
Contributed by Benjamin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Habram yamil Aleman
Espectacular
Sonny's Supercars and more 2023
Love this!!!!
Yamil Aleman
Ídolo
Geovane Santos da Cunha
🎶👏
Cindy Tja
Wow. Beautiful!
Yamil Aleman
soy argentino y fanatizo con irlandedes
Eduardo R
What happened to this video? I’m just seeing it
Lois C
It's official. You're my favourite new artist <3
iKiLLa12
Ed Sheeran and Gavin James duo. Make it happen!
EmmaAlysonMusic
Hi Gavin, I saw you last night in manchester and you were AMAZING!! Could you tell me the names of all the songs you played? I remember for you and coming home, but what was the one you said is really depressing? Hahahhaa thanks!