It's from his album Pipes Of Peace (1983).
Say Say Say
Paul McCartney Lyrics
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Let me tell you all about the Michael Jackson wonder potion
It's guaranteed to give you unbelievable power
Say, say, say what you want but don't play games with my affection
Take, take, take what you need but don't leave me with no direction
All alone I sit home by the phone waiting for you baby (baby)
Through the years how can you stand to hear my pleading for you dear?
Yeah
Now go, go, go where you want but don't leave me here forever
You, you, you stay away so long, girl, I see you never
What can I do, girl, to get through to you
'Cause I love you baby (baby)
Standing here baptized in all my tears, baby through the years
You know I'm crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, hee, hee, hee
What you say, say, say, what you say, say, say
You never ever worry and you never shed a tear
You're saying that my love ain't real
Just look at my face, these tears ain't drying
You, you, you can never say that I'm not the one who really loves you
I pray, pray, pray every day that you'll see things, girl, like I do
What can I do, girl, to get through to you
'Cause I love you (love you) baby (baby)
Standing here baptized in all my tears, baby through the years
You know I'm crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Say, say, say
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say (fire, fire)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say
You never ever worry and you never shed a tear
You're saying that my love ain't real
Just look at my face, these tears ain't drying
You, you, you can never say that I'm not the one who really loves you
I pray, pray, pray every day that you'll see things, girl, like I do
The song "Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson is about a man pleading with his lover to stop playing games with his emotions and give him the love and attention that he deserves. The first verse is actually a spoken-word advertisement for a made-up "Michael Jackson wonder potion" that supposedly gives the drinker "unbelievable power." The song then shifts into the main theme, with the singer expressing his frustration with his partner's ambivalence and inability to satisfy him emotionally. He begs her to stay with him and not leave him alone without a sense of direction. He pleads with her to see the depth of his love and to stop breaking his heart with her inaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Step right up, step right up, come on gentleman, gather around
Attention everyone, please gather around and listen to what I have to say
Let me tell you all about the Michael Jackson wonder potion
I want to introduce you to a product that Michael Jackson endorses, which has magical powers
It's guaranteed to give you unbelievable power
This product will provide you with incredible abilities that you never thought were possible
Say, say, say what you want but don't play games with my affection
Feel free to express yourself, but don't manipulate my emotions or lead me on
Take, take, take what you need but don't leave me with no direction
You can take what you require, but please don't abandon me or leave me lost and confused
All alone I sit home by the phone waiting for you baby (baby)
I'm lonely and waiting for you to call me or be with me
Through the years how can you stand to hear my pleading for you dear?
Over the years, how can you tolerate listening to my constant begging and imploring for you?
You know I'm crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
You understand that I'm shedding tears over you
Now go, go, go where you want but don't leave me here forever
You have the freedom to go wherever you wish, but please don't abandon me permanently
You, you, you stay away so long, girl, I see you never
You remain away for an extended period, causing me to believe I'll never see you again
What can I do, girl, to get through to you
What can I do to communicate with you more effectively?
'Cause I love you baby (baby)
I am expressing my deep affection and love for you
Standing here baptized in all my tears, baby through the years
I am drowning in my tears, and I've been this way for many years
You never ever worry and you never shed a tear
You never express concern or shed a tear
You're saying that my love ain't real
You're indicating that my love for you isn't genuine
Just look at my face, these tears ain't drying
I'm crying so much that my tears won't stop flowing
I pray, pray, pray every day that you'll see things, girl, like I do
Every day, I pray that you'll understand things from my perspective
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Joseph Jackson, Paul James McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind