Rhian - born Rhiannon Afua Benson in Ghana, West Africa - grew up surrounded by music and musicians. Her mother, from Wales in Britain - is a singer, and her father, a native of Ghana , is a guitarist. Rhian's grandfather led an acclaimed big band in the '50s and '60s, her eldest uncle was a popular highlife singer - and her youngest uncle a record producer. Home for Rhian was a place of music; her childhood was immersed in the sounds of Miles Davis, Earth Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald and Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti among many others.
Rhian was not meant to be a spectator, though, and her desire to become a musician coincided with a family move to India . Within weeks of arriving in New Delhi , Rhian's passion was fully ignited: she began playing the piano, and wrote her first song when she was 9. By the time she and her family returned to Ghana , Rhian was fully engrossed in the music - both listening and creating.
While music was essential to Rhian, so was education; another paradox appears when one considers that Rhian left her artistic pursuits behind to attend the prestigious London School of Economics and then Harvard, ostensibly to pursue a career in the distinctly right-brained field of banking. But while studying in Boston , life intervened: Rhian's mother had been diagnosed with a serious illness.
Rhian immediately went back to London, where her mother was undergoing intense treatment. With her family spread throughout the world, Rhian, nurturing by nature and always close to her mother, became responsible for her mother's day-to-day care. It was during that time that Rhian rediscovered music: it became a source of strength for her, helping her to get through a tremendously difficult time. As her mother began to heal physically, Rhian began to heal emotionally-- through music.
"It was a major turning point for me," Rhian says. "I couldn't ignore my deep-rooted desire to be creative and artistically expressive any longer. I came to realize that taking a risk, following your dreams and listening to your strongest instincts is the only way to become one with your spirit. One of my favorite quotes is by Paulo Coelho in his wonderful book The Alchemist. I'll never forget what he said: 'To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligationwhen you want something, all of the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."
Although her mother's health had improved, Rhian stayed in London - once she recognized the significance of music in her life, she abandoned her plans to return to Harvard -- and began performing regularly at small venues, where she was discovered and signed.
Rhian began working on her debut album (Gold Coast) in 2001 - in addition to singing and playing various instruments, she is writing and composing all the songs, collaborating with a close-knit group of other talented musicians and producers. "I love the entire process, from writing to recording," says Rhian. "There are so many things in life that I care deeply about, and it's very fulfilling to be able to capture and share them in song. The freedom of creating music is addictive - it reminds me of growing up in West Africa , with the sea, the skies, and wide open spaces everywhere."
"These same feelings are why I feel at home in California ," Rhian continues. "I've always been drawn to America and the sense of possibility that seems to lie around life's next corner."
With Rhian, that sense of possibility is now more promise than possibility. But it's not about California , it's not about paradox, and it's not about enigma - it's entirely about Rhian.
Say How I Feel
Rhian Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oohhhhh, why can't i say how i feel?
(Verse 1)
I pan across the room,
And i see his face,
I start to cross the room,
With a quickened pace,
He brushes the side of me,
Like i always dreamed,
He stops... to look at me,
Ohhh sweet serendipity,
(Chorus)
This is my chance i'll say it,
(This is my chance)
Nothing to fear,
(I'm gonna say how i feel)
I'm gonna ask him to dance
(And if he wont dance)
Another panic attack
(At least i said how i feel)
(Verse 2)
The very next night,
I see him once more,
It's not love at first sight,
It's more like lust encore,
He's floating my way,
And I'm hoping to catch his eye,
I'm not sure what to say,
Damn it, this time, he will be mine,
(Repeat Chorus)
(Bridge)
Oohhhh, I'm so sick,
Of all this indecision,
And the way, that just one look,
Can rock my body rhythm,
(Verse 3)
He's coming towards me,
At least i hope that's the case,
He's smiling at me,
And my pulse starts to race,
He's asking my name,
Politely he turns to my friend,
He's asking her the same,
(Oh no),
God Almighty will this tourment never ever ... end?
(Repeat Chorus - X 2)
Rhian Benson's "Say How I Feel" is a song about the universal struggles of expressing one's feelings towards someone they are attracted to. Throughout the song, the singer finds herself in two situations where she comes in contact with the person she is interested in, but finds it hard to communicate her emotions to him. The lyrics imply that she has been waiting for this moment and building up the courage to speak to him. In the first verse, she sees him across the room, and as she starts walking towards him, her heart beats faster with excitement. The chorus of the song gives her the motivation to tell him how she feels, even if it means facing rejection, and she decides to ask him to dance. In the second verse, she meets him again, and despite not having any romantic spark between them, she feels a strong desire to be with him. In the bridge, she expresses her frustration with indecision and how every interaction with him affects her body rhythm, indicating the intensity of her attraction towards him. The third verse sees him coming towards her, but he asks for her friend's name instead of hers, leaving her feeling upset and disappointed.
Overall, "Say How I Feel" is a relatable song for anyone who has ever struggled to overcome their fears and express their feelings to someone they like. The singer's inner turmoil is mirrored in the catchy melody and rhythm of the song, making it a fun and upbeat track despite its emotional theme.
Line by Line Meaning
Oohhhhh, why can't i say how i feel?
The singer feels unable to express her emotions.
I pan across the room,
The singer scans the room.
And i see his face,
She sees the person she desires.
I start to cross the room,
She makes her way to him.
With a quickened pace,
She moves quickly.
(quick, quick, quick, quick.)
Emphasizes her fast pace.
He brushes the side of me,
He briefly touches her side.
Like i always dreamed,
The touch fulfills her fantasy.
He stops... to look at me,
He pauses to gaze at her.
Ohhh sweet serendipity,
The artist is grateful for this chance encounter.
This is my chance i'll say it,
The singer believes this is her opportunity.
(This is my chance)
Emphasizes the importance of the moment.
Nothing to fear,
The singer is confident.
(I'm gonna say how i feel)
She plans to express her emotions.
I'm gonna ask him to dance
She wants to dance with him.
(And if he wont dance)
Acknowledges the possibility of rejection.
Another panic attack
She fears another emotional breakdown.
(At least i said how i feel)
She is proud of herself for trying.
The very next night,
The situation repeats.
I see him once more,
She sees him again.
It's not love at first sight,
The attraction is more physical than emotional.
It's more like lust encore,
Similar to the previous encounter.
He's floating my way,
He approaches her.
And I'm hoping to catch his eye,
She wants to get his attention.
I'm not sure what to say,
She is uncertain about how to approach him.
Damn it, this time, he will be mine,
She is determined to win his affection.
(Repeat Chorus)
The chorus repeats.
(Bridge)
The bridge marks a change in tone.
Oohhhh, I'm so sick,
The artist expresses frustration.
Of all this indecision,
She is tired of feeling unsure.
And the way, that just one look,
The way he looks at her affects her strongly.
Can rock my body rhythm,
Her heartbeat quickens in response to his gaze.
He's coming towards me,
He approaches her again.
At least i hope that's the case,
She is uncertain of his intentions.
He's smiling at me,
He is happy to see her.
And my pulse starts to race,
She feels excited.
He's asking my name,
He wants to know her name.
Politely he turns to my friend,
He shows courtesy to her friend.
He's asking her the same,
He also wants to know her friend's name.
(Oh no),
She feels disappointed.
God Almighty will this tor**m**ent never ever ... end?
She is in emotional agony.
(Repeat Chorus - X 2)
The chorus repeats two more times.
Contributed by Riley A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.