Say What You Want
As soon as Man Alive formed, they had the cards stacked heavily against the… Read Full Bio ↴As soon as Man Alive formed, they had the cards stacked heavily against them. Man Alive started in 1999 in Jerusalem, Israel, of all places. Jamie Hilsden (Vocals/Guitar) Jon Shkedi (Bass, Vocals) and David Shkedi (Guitar) started playing anywhere that Jerusalem would have them, including parties, local clubs, house shows, etc. The crowds in Israel quickly grew and embraced their punk-driven rock sound, and Man Alive became one of the biggest draws in the Israeli underground music scene. Before long, Man Alive knew their music could reach the rest of the world. Shortly, after recording their first demo in 2000, Man Alive received significant industry interest in the U.S. The most interested parties ultimately dismissed the band as not available to tour", or "too much of a financial liability" due to their roots in Israel. Geography, it seemed, was not on their side. Despite these hurdles, Man Alive went on to release two full-length albums with their own money and created a fan base that stretches from Israel, to Japan, Europe and North America. Man Alive has played over 200 shows since 2003, most of which were in North America, and have traveled to over 40 states and provinces in Canada. In the summer of 2004, Man Alive decided it was time to take their newest material into the studio. Enter famed producer Ed Rose (The Get Up Kids, Motion City Soundtrack, Etc.). Ed stepped up to the plate to produce and record their new album for a fee the Man Alive boys couldnt turn down. So, at the end of their 2004 summer tour they scrounged together every shekel they could (much of it borrowed from family and friends) and stepped into Blacklodge Recording Studios to create their first professionally recorded and produced album. Open Surgery shows how nicely Man Alives sound has matured since the old days, while maintaining the energy and shout-along spirit of their punk roots. One listen to Open Surgery will take the listener from a hook-driven pop song (Say What You Want), to a punk rock anthem, complete with classic Good Riddance-style choruses (Catch Phrases, Slogans and Chants.) Now, with Open Surgery finally in stores across North America and multiple tours on the way, Man Alive will silence the naysayers once and for all.
Man Alive Released the EP Access Denied in 2007.



Man Alive also refers to the solo music of Kodaline's guitarist Mark Prendergast. First single Be Someone released 8th June. His debut EP Colours was released on 15th September 2023.

Say What You Want
Man Alive Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Say what you want to say
If you have to
Say what you really think
If it makes you feel right
As soon as you think of it
Let it out, I won't mind

And now that I think of it
I will ask you
To say what you really think
I swear I'll be fine
Enough holding out on me
Just answer me, why?

Why would you want me to walk away now?
Why would you want me to walk away now?
Why would you want me to walk away, walk away now?

I think there's a part of me
That still wants to
Believe everything it hears
And I silence it now
So quit holding out on me
Just answer me, why?

[Repeat x3]
Why would you want me to walk away now?
Why would you want me to walk away now?
Why would you want me to walk away, walk away now?

Say what you want to say
If you have to
Say what you really think
If it makes you feel right
As soon as you think of it
Let it out, I won't mind

Now that I think of it
I will ask you
To say what you really think
I swear I'll be fine




Enough holding out on me
Just answer me, why?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Man Alive's "Say What You Want" is a plea for honesty and open communication in a relationship. The singer is urging their partner to express their true feelings and thoughts, even if it might be uncomfortable or difficult to do so. The singer recognizes that it is better to address any issues or concerns head on, rather than hold back and create more problems in the long run.


However, the singer also admits that there is a part of them that struggles to fully trust what they hear, and they are asking their partner to be honest with them so that they can fully feel secure in their relationship. The repetition of the question "Why would you want me to walk away now?" suggests a fear of abandonment, and a need for reassurance from the partner.


Overall, the lyrics convey a desire for honesty and transparency in a relationship, even if it means facing potential conflicts or uncomfortable truths.


Line by Line Meaning

Say what you want to say
You should express your thoughts and feelings freely.


If you have to
If expressing yourself is necessary, don't hold back.


Say what you really think
You should not hide your true feelings or thoughts.


If it makes you feel right
If expressing yourself makes you feel right and true to yourself, you should do it.


As soon as you think of it
Once you have thought something over, you should immediately express it.


Let it out, I won't mind
You shouldn't be afraid to express yourself because the other person is willing to listen.


And now that I think of it
Now that I have given it some thought,


I will ask you
I am taking the time to inquire or solicit your thoughts/feelings,


To say what you really think
I want you to be honest about your thoughts and feelings.


I swear I'll be fine
I promise to handle your response with empathy and positivity.


Enough holding out on me
Stop holding back information, feelings, or thoughts from me.


Just answer me, why?
I am seeking an explanation for a particular situation or response.


Why would you want me to walk away now?
I am questioning why someone would want me to leave or surrender a situation at this time.


I think there's a part of me
I am acknowledging an internal emotional conflict.


That still wants to
I am acknowledging an internal emotional conflict.


Believe everything it hears
I have a tendency to believe everything that I hear, but it's not necessarily the right way to operate.


And I silence it now
I am consciously trying to change my behavior by challenging my habit of belief and listening too intently.


So quit holding out on me
I am imploring someone to stop holding back information, feelings, or thoughts from me.


Why would you want me to walk away now?
I am questioning why someone would want me to leave or surrender a situation at this time.


Say what you want to say
You should express your thoughts and feelings freely.


If you have to
If expressing yourself is necessary, don't hold back.


Say what you really think
You should not hide your true feelings or thoughts.


If it makes you feel right
If expressing yourself makes you feel right and true to yourself, you should do it.


As soon as you think of it
Once you have thought something over, you should immediately express it.


Let it out, I won't mind
You shouldn't be afraid to express yourself because the other person is willing to listen.


Now that I think of it
Now that I have given it some thought,


I will ask you
I am taking the time to inquire or solicit your thoughts/feelings,


To say what you really think
I want you to be honest about your thoughts and feelings.


I swear I'll be fine
I promise to handle your response with empathy and positivity.


Enough holding out on me
Stop holding back information, feelings, or thoughts from me.


Just answer me, why?
I am seeking an explanation for a particular situation or response.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John McElhone, Sharleen Spiteri

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

1thess523

11 years later and it still has that same feeling !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sagi366

i really like them! i took my friend to their concert and she was completly blown away....

Brandon Olson

This is a really good song!

Ted R

I would love to see them live.

Ted R

This is just such a great song and great CD "Open Surgery"

sagi366

you should see them!! you wont regret it!

Jay

he he. i love the piano scene. awesome

yftach shenbaum

אתם גדולים!!! יפתח מהמתחם

bunny hop

this song remember someone on high school ..yeahhh

KerenIlan Ilan

niceeeeeee :)

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