Say What You See
Miss Montreal Lyrics

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Sittin' around in a small town
Where no one knows their way out
But you keep holdin' on
Running away for the last time
But you keep saying the last time
Would be the last one
Don't go wasting
These times you're facing

I know you've been there
Say what you see and don't wast you're time
I didnt mean to let you fall down
From the battles of my mind
Time will display all the feelings left behind
I didnt see that you and I
It's fucked up how Im missing you every day
Im making it right for the first time
But all I ever find in this town is a smile on a broken face
I want you to see Ive been lost inside
Im trailing my mind
But I always find that these feelings I cant replace
So don't go wasting
These times you're facing
I know you've been there
Say what you see and don't wast you're time
I didnt mean to let you fall down
From the battles of my mind
Time will display all the feelings left behind
I didnt see that you and I

I hold back all the feelings that I wanna say
It's not good but I'm feeling them anyway
I took for granted everything I ever loved
I hold back all the feelings that I wanna say
It's not good but I'm feeling them anyway
I took for granted everything I ever loved
Woah woah
Woah woah
Woah woah
Woah woah
Say what you see and don't wast you're time
I didnt mean to let you fall down
From the battles of my mind
Time will display all the feelings left behind
I didn't see that you and I
It's fucked up how Im missing you every day
Say what you see and don't wast you're time
I didnt mean to let you fall down
From the battles of my mind
Time will display all the feelings left behind
I didn't see that you and I
It's fucked up how Im missing you every day
Say what you see and don't wast you're time
I didnt mean to let you fall down
From the battles of my mind
Time will display all the feelings left behind

I didn't see that you and I
It's fucked up how Im missing you every day

Overall Meaning

The song “Say What You See” by Miss Montreal is a ballad that expresses the singer’s want for a lost love and the regret that accompanies it. The opening lines illustrate a feeling of being stuck in a small town, where there seems to be no escape. The repeated “last time” highlights the need to break free from a cycle of negative behaviour or experiences. In the chorus, the lyrics urge the listener to speak their truth, to not waste any more time on holding back. Love is the reason the singer is in this difficult situation, and it’s clear that the feelings are still present despite the separation. The closing lines reiterate the missed opportunity to recognize what the relationship truly meant.

The first verse portrays the singer as lost and trapped, and it’s possible that this is a metaphor for the state of mind following a break-up. The emphasis on not regretting past experiences encourages living in the present rather than dwelling in the past. By saying “I didn’t mean to let you fall down from the battles of my mind,” the singer suggests that they have been struggling to cope with the end of the relationship. The bridge repeats an acknowledgement of holding back emotion, but it is juxtaposed with the realisation that the love they have for their partner has not faded over time.

Overall, the song is an emotional plea to be honest and expressive while accepting the consequences of past mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

Sittin' around in a small town
Feeling stuck and stagnant in a place where nothing is changing or progressing.

Where no one knows their way out
Feeling trapped in a place where no one seems to have found a way to escape or move forward.

But you keep holdin' on
Despite feeling stuck and stagnant, one is holding onto hope that things will eventually change and improve.

Running away for the last time
Attempting to escape the stagnation, possibly for the final time.

But you keep saying the last time
Acknowledging that there have been previous attempts to escape or make a change, but this time feels different.

Would be the last one
Hoping and believing that this attempt will be successful in breaking free from the stagnant situation.

Don't go wasting
Encouraging not to waste the precious time and opportunities available.

These times you're facing
Referring to the challenges and obstacles that are being encountered.

I know you've been there
Empathizing with the struggles and difficulties that have been faced.

Say what you see and don't wast you're time
Encouraging to speak up and express what is seen, rather than being silent and wasting time.

I didnt mean to let you fall down
Apologizing for unintentionally causing harm or difficulty.

From the battles of my mind
The difficulties or struggles are coming from within oneself, rather than external factors.

Time will display all the feelings left behind
Over time, the true emotions and feelings will come to light and be revealed.

I didnt see that you and I
Admitting that the situation or relationship was not fully realized or understood until after it was over.

It's fucked up how Im missing you every day
Expressing intense emotions and longing for someone who is no longer present in one's life.

Im making it right for the first time
Attempting to rectify or improve past mistakes and missteps for the first time.

But all I ever find in this town is a smile on a broken face
Feeling like everyone else in the stagnant town is also unhappy and struggling, but trying to put on a brave face.

I want you to see Ive been lost inside
Desiring to express the internal struggles and feelings that have been kept hidden.

Im trailing my mind
Feeling lost and uncertain in one's own thoughts and mental state.

But I always find that these feelings I cant replace
Feeling like the intense emotions and longing cannot be resolved or remedied.

Woah woah
A musical interlude.

Say what you see and don't wast you're time
Encouraging to speak up and express what is seen, rather than being silent and wasting time.

It's fucked up how Im missing you every day
Expressing intense emotions and longing for someone who is no longer present in one's life.

Say what you see and don't wast you're time
Encouraging to speak up and express what is seen, rather than being silent and wasting time.

I didnt mean to let you fall down
Apologizing for unintentionally causing harm or difficulty.

From the battles of my mind
The difficulties or struggles are coming from within oneself, rather than external factors.

Time will display all the feelings left behind
Over time, the true emotions and feelings will come to light and be revealed.

I didn't see that you and I
Admitting that the situation or relationship was not fully realized or understood until after it was over.