Vocalist and songwriter Nicola Hitchcock and Saul Freeman Ex-Thieves joined forces in the mid-nineties to form Mandalay, signed to V2 records and released three albums. Mandalay's debut album "Empathy" release in 1998. In 2000, Mandalay release their second album "Instinct". In 2001, "Solace" a two disc album released exclusively in the US. Disc one of the album Solace included a mix of tracks from the albums Empathy and Instinct and disc two remix tracks with contributions from several artists including Nitin Sawhney, Wagon Christ, Futureshock, Alex Reece, Calderone and Charlie May.
Incorporating guest musicians Jon Hassell and Steve Jansen (Japan), Freeman's intimate, pristine production and Hitchcock's heartbreaking vocal performances earned the duo props throughout the latter part of the decade in their native U.K., specifically with the albums Empathy and Instinct.
You Say
Mandalay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so through turning it over
Can't do anything to change all that i've done
Here we are again
I've lost the vision that i had
I still need what it is i crave
Can't do anything to change all that i've done
Here we are again
Do you think i want to say all that and turn my back as soon as i leave you
Here we are again
The opening lines of Mandalay's song 'You Say' outlines the contradictory feelings that the singer is experiencing after a relationship has ended. The person they were once involved with has changed, and the singer is struggling to come to terms with this new reality. They are tired of analyzing what went wrong and accepting that they can't change the past, no matter how hard they try. They have lost the clarity they once had about their future and are feeling lost and uncertain.
Despite all of this, the singer admits that they are still in need of something, though they are not sure what it is. The repetition of the phrase "Can't do anything to change all that I've done. Here we are again" speaks to the cyclical nature of relationships. The singer questions whether they really want to start over with someone new, or whether they want to try and work things out with their previous partner. This internal conflict is evident in the lines "Do you think I want to settle this with someone else? Do you think I want to say all that and turn my back as soon as I leave you? Here we are again."
Overall, 'You Say' is a poignant and introspective look at the complicated emotions that arise when a relationship falls apart, and the difficulties of moving on when one is still grappling with unresolved feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
You say i have but you've changed
You accused me of having something, but now you have changed your mind.
I'm so through turning it over
I am tired of dwelling on this situation and trying to find a solution.
Can't do anything to change all that i've done
I am unable to undo or alter the mistakes I have made in the past.
Here we are again
We keep repeating the same situation or argument.
I've lost the vision that i had
I am no longer able to see my desired outcome of this situation.
I still need what it is i crave
I still desire or long for something that I am not getting.
Do you think i want to settle this with someone else
Do you believe that I want to reconcile or fix this problem with another person?
Do you think i want to say all that and turn my back as soon as i leave you
Do you assume that I want to speak my mind and then immediately distance myself from you?
Here we are again
We keep repeating the same situation or argument.
Contributed by Sydney E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Eric VT
Great song!