A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
Say That You Love Me
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talked on the [Incomprehensible]
You'd said that you like me, feel like a fool
Say that you like me, that's not enough
Say that you love me, I'm calling your bluff
Say that you love me, say that it's true
Say that you love me and I said it to you
I don't want a new bow tie
I don't want a new dress
It's time to admit it
Come on, it's time to confess
Say that you love me, open your heart
Three simple words, least it's a start
Come on, say that you love me, say that it's true
Say that you love me and I said it to you
Well, it's been said before and you can say it again
I got to be more than just one of your friends
I must know you love me, there must be no doubt
Open your heart, open your mouth
Say that you love me, say that it's true
Say that you love me and I said it to you
Say that you love me, say that it's, say that it's true
Say that you love me and I said it to you
This song is about the frustration of unrequited love and wanting the other person to confess their love back. The singer has already expressed their love to the other person but they are unsatisfied with the response they received. The other person had only said that they liked the singer, making the singer feel foolish and unimportant. The singer wants more, they want the other person to say that they love them and for it to be true. They emphasize the importance of this confession by saying that it's time to admit it and time to confess.
The repeated line "say that you love me" highlights the desperation and urgency that the singer feels. They want to be sure that their love is reciprocated and they don't want any doubt. The lyrics also suggest that the other person has said "I love you" before but the singer needs to hear it again because they need to be more than just friends.
Overall, this song is a plea for honesty and Openness in love. The singer wants to be able to move forward and have a real relationship with the other person but they can't do that until they are sure that their feelings are mutual.
Line by Line Meaning
Told you I love you
I have already expressed my love for you
Talked on the [Incomprehensible]
We have spent time together talking and communicating
You'd said that you like me, feel like a fool
You have expressed your liking towards me, but I feel foolish because I need to hear more
Say that you like me, that's not enough
Your expression of liking me is not sufficient, I need to hear that you love me
Say that you love me, I'm calling your bluff
When I ask you to say that you love me, I am questioning the sincerity of your feelings
Say that you love me, say that it's true
I need you to confirm that your love for me is genuine
Say that you love me and I said it to you
I have already expressed my love for you and now it's your turn to reciprocate
I don't want a new bow tie
Material things don't matter to me
I don't want a new dress
I don't need gifts or fancy things
It's time to admit it
It's time for you to confess your love for me
Come on, it's time to confess
I am urging you to express your true feelings
Say that you love me, open your heart
When I ask you to say that you love me, I want you to fully and honestly open up your heart to me
Three simple words, least it's a start
Expressing your love for me with three simple words is a start, but there is more that needs to happen
Well, it's been said before and you can say it again
I know that you have said 'I love you' before, but I need to hear it again now
I got to be more than just one of your friends
I need to know that our relationship is more than just a friendly one
I must know you love me, there must be no doubt
I need to have absolute certainty that you truly love me
Open your heart, open your mouth
I need you to fully open up your heart and express your love for me verbally
Say that you love me, say that it's, say that it's true
I need you to tell me that you love me with complete honesty and sincerity
Say that you love me and I said it to you
I need you to show me that you love me as I have already shown you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Loudon Snowden Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind