Peter Bjorn and John were formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1999. Made up of m… Read Full Bio ↴Peter Bjorn and John were formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1999. Made up of members Peter Morén on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Björn Yttling on vocals, bass, and keyboards; and John Eriksson on drums, percussion, and vocals. The band has released six albums: "Peter Bjorn and John" (2002), "Falling Out" (2004), "Writer's Block" (2006), "Seaside Rock" (2008), "Living Thing" (2009) and "Gimme Some" (2011). The band is influenced by the sounds of classic '60s baroque pop, power pop, and new wave

The band gained recognition in the United Kingdom and United States during 2006 and 2007 due to the success of their single "Young Folks", whilst staying virtually unknown in their homeland, Sweden.

Say Something
Peter Bjorn and John Lyrics

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I went out on a limb for you about the time the ice arrived
The branch it broke before we spoke I fell but still survived
Emotionally challenged drinking gold tequila straight
Crawling through the snowy hills and getting home too late
Believing in myself was the first challenge that I face
So many hills to climb so many dreams erased
I found myself some shoes and socks and staggered to my feet
Wandering through this world of woe trying to compete

On that strange enchanted highway laughing at the stars
I dated thirty women and I drank in forty bars
And I think I found my confidence but ended up flat broke
Believing in myself but never sure I spoke

I went out on a limb for you I'll never know quite why
You never really wanted more than one last sad good-bye
I touched a piece of heaven once but couldn't make it last
We had a sense of moments but the moments always passed
They left us both in limbo feeling vacant and confused
No scars upon our eyelids but sure we'd been abused
You found yourself a gadget a plaything and a toy
A person that you called your man who acted like a boy
Hiding in his closet like forgotten pairs of shoes
That gave you what you needed when you had the highway blues
And I think you found your confidence and told another joke
When I told you that I missed you were you ever sure I spoke?

I went out on a limb for you exhausted but alive
Is it really such a strange thing to dissolve and yet survive?
When the poison breeds suspicious thoughts of hunted mystery
That end just like they started you here lying next to me
On a moistened April evening with a virus and a cure
Knowing that I love you but saying I'm not sure
I remember as I fumble through another point of view
The fragments of my heart that kept on washing back to you
And the fragrance of your perfume that kept wafting towards my face
Through candlelight and shadows and another warm embrace
The princess kissed the bullfrog but all he did was croak
Couldn't pay the fee for royalty it was like he never spoke

I went out on a limb for you and found and empty nest
The worst case I imagined was in fact the very best
A blind inauguration as I pledged undying love
A blackbird finch a cardinal a hawk a crow a dove
Flying all around us in a circle of surprise
Another verse a midnight tomb a hope chest full of lies
I've borrowed every song I've ever written just to prove
That something else is nothing more than someone I can't move
The words are just excuses and the meanings tend to fade
When I look at life without the knife and steal another blade

The face of death, another breath, before I start to choke
I keep listening to myself but I'm never sure I spoke

Overall Meaning

These lyrics tell the story of a narrator who took risks and went out of their way for someone else, but ultimately felt unappreciated and unsure of their own voice. In the first paragraph, the singer recalls a time when they put themselves on the line for this person, even when faced with difficulties ("the ice arrived" and "the branch it broke"). Despite the challenges, they managed to survive and build some confidence. However, they also faced setbacks and had their dreams crushed. The mention of dating multiple women and drinking excessively shows a sense of searching for validation and fulfillment.

In the second paragraph, the singer reflects on their relationship with this person. They confess that they don't understand why they went above and beyond for someone who only wanted a sad goodbye. The singer mentions feeling moments of happiness and connection, but they were fleeting and left both parties feeling uncertain and empty. The other person found solace in material possessions ("a gadget, a plaything, and a toy") and a partner who acted immaturely. The singer questions if their words and emotions were truly heard and understood.

The third paragraph delves into the aftermath of the relationship. The singer acknowledges feeling exhausted but alive and questions if it is strange to dissolve a relationship and still survive. They refer to the toxicity and suspicion that plagued their connection. Despite the love they have for this person, doubts and uncertainty cloud their feelings. The imagery of fragments of their heart washing back to the other person and the fragrance of perfume symbolize lingering remnants and memories. The mention of the princess kissing the bullfrog, symbolizing unrequited love, emphasizes the frustration and lack of reciprocity the singer felt.

In the final paragraph, the singer reflects on the emptiness they found after taking a chance for this person. The worst-case scenario they imagined turned out to be the best, suggesting that being alone is more liberating than being in a dysfunctional relationship. The references to birds and a circle of surprise symbolize the chaotic nature of love and relationships. The singer admits to borrowing songs they've written to prove a point, hinting at a lack of authenticity in their actions. They contemplate the fleeting nature of life and search for meaning. The final line sums up the singer's struggle to find their voice and be heard even when they are speaking.

Line by Line Meaning

I went out on a limb for you about the time the ice arrived
I took a risk for you when things were uncertain and difficult

The branch it broke before we spoke I fell but still survived
Our connection was broken before we could even communicate, but I managed to survive

Emotionally challenged drinking gold tequila straight
I was emotionally struggling, trying to numb my feelings with alcohol

Crawling through the snowy hills and getting home too late
I was navigating through difficult times, often arriving home late

Believing in myself was the first challenge that I face
Having confidence in myself was the initial hurdle I had to overcome

So many hills to climb so many dreams erased
There were numerous obstacles to overcome, and many of my dreams were lost

I found myself some shoes and socks and staggered to my feet
I managed to gather some strength and stand up despite feeling unsteady

Wandering through this world of woe trying to compete
I was aimlessly navigating through a world filled with sadness, while still trying to be competitive

On that strange enchanted highway laughing at the stars
During moments of joy and wonder, I found myself laughing and appreciating the beauty of the universe

I dated thirty women and I drank in forty bars
I engaged in various relationships and consumed alcohol excessively

And I think I found my confidence but ended up flat broke
I thought I had regained my self-assurance, but ultimately I was left with no money

Believing in myself but never sure I spoke
Although I had faith in myself, I was uncertain if my voice was truly heard

I went out on a limb for you I'll never know quite why
I took a risk for you, but I will never fully understand my reasons

You never really wanted more than one last sad good-bye
You only desired a final, melancholic farewell and nothing more

I touched a piece of heaven once but couldn't make it last
There was a brief moment of pure happiness, but it couldn't be sustained

We had a sense of moments but the moments always passed
Although we had instances of connection, they were fleeting and transitory

They left us both in limbo feeling vacant and confused
The transient moments left us uncertain, empty, and bewildered

No scars upon our eyelids but sure we'd been abused
There were no visible wounds, but we were undeniably emotionally harmed

You found yourself a gadget a plaything and a toy
You discovered something or someone that served as a distraction and amusement

A person that you called your man who acted like a boy
You labeled a person as your partner, yet their behavior was immature

Hiding in his closet like forgotten pairs of shoes
He concealed himself, resembling abandoned shoes left in a closet

That gave you what you needed when you had the highway blues
He provided comfort and support when you were feeling down and lost

And I think you found your confidence and told another joke
I believe you regained your self-assurance and used humor as a defense mechanism

When I told you that I missed you were you ever sure I spoke?
Did you truly believe and understand my words when I expressed my longing for you?

I went out on a limb for you exhausted but alive
I took a risk for you, despite feeling drained and weary

Is it really such a strange thing to dissolve and yet survive?
Is it truly unusual to break apart emotionally yet still endure?

When the poison breeds suspicious thoughts of hunted mystery
When negativity and doubt generate mistrust and confusion

That end just like they started you here lying next to me
Those suspicions and mysteries conclude the same way they began, with you beside me

On a moistened April evening with a virus and a cure
During a damp April evening, when there is both a problem and a solution

Knowing that I love you but saying I'm not sure
Being aware of my love for you, yet expressing uncertainty about it

I remember as I fumble through another point of view
I recall as I clumsily navigate through a different perspective

The fragments of my heart that kept on washing back to you
The broken pieces of my heart that continued to return to you

And the fragrance of your perfume that kept wafting towards my face
The scent of your perfume that persistently drifted towards me

Through candlelight and shadows and another warm embrace
Amidst the soft glow of candles, shadows, and another affectionate embrace

The princess kissed the bullfrog but all he did was croak
The princess kissed the frog, hoping for a transformed prince, but he only produced a frog-like sound

Couldn't pay the fee for royalty it was like he never spoke
He couldn't meet the requirements to be treated as royalty, as if he never had a voice

I went out on a limb for you and found an empty nest
I took a risk for you and discovered a situation where there was nothing left

The worst case I imagined was in fact the very best
The most negative outcome I envisioned turned out to be the most favorable

A blind inauguration as I pledged undying love
A naive beginning, declaring eternal love without fully understanding the consequences

A blackbird finch a cardinal a hawk a crow a dove
Representing various birds, symbolizing different aspects of our relationship

Flying all around us in a circle of surprise
These bird symbols circled us unexpectedly, causing astonishment

Another verse a midnight tomb a hope chest full of lies
Another chapter in our story, filled with darkness and hidden deceptions

I've borrowed every song I've ever written just to prove
I have used every song I've written as evidence or validation

That something else is nothing more than someone I can't move
That there is no one else but you, someone I am unable to forget or let go

The words are just excuses and the meanings tend to fade
The words I say are merely excuses and their significance often diminishes

When I look at life without the knife and steal another blade
When I perceive life without its hardships, but still seek another way to protect myself

The face of death, another breath, before I start to choke
The fear of death, taking another breath, before I begin to suffocate emotionally

I keep listening to myself but I'm never sure I spoke
I continue to hear myself, but I am uncertain if my words truly reach others

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: John Wurzer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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