Say You Love Me
Rodney Crowell Lyrics


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I've been up all night and the night before my teeth are dirty my eyes are sore
There was good time had by all accounts we've been drinking to you in tall amounts I guess we had a little trouble in the hotel bar
Some hometown bubba went a little too far
He said he don't like Catholics he don't like Jews
He don't like me and he don't like you
Say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me
Say it say it say it say it
I've got ten good years left in my legs some day baby I won't have to beg
The first thing to go is not your mind you have known that for a long long time
You've got the Irish eyes and the Irish lips from your head down to your fingertips
Poetry in your kiss and your hand poetry anywhere that you stand
Come on and say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me Say it say it say it say it
Speak your mind darlin' state your case baby
Lay it on the line sugar cut to the chase maybe
Say it in your own words don't be proud
If it's something that you want to get heard




You've got to say it to me right out loud
Say it say it say it say it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Say You Love Me" by Rodney Crowell delve into the theme of insecurity in relationships. The first stanza paints a picture of a wild night out, with the singer being physically affected by the partying, "dirty teeth" and "sore eyes." While general fun was had, there was a hiccup in the hotel bar, where a bigoted person caused trouble. The focus then shifts to the relationship of the singer with their partner, who is assuredly of Irish descent, with "Irish eyes" and "Irish lips," and the singer seems to be questioning the sincerity of their partner's love. The chorus consists of requests for assurance, a repeating plea for the partner to affirm their love and commitment to the singer.


The verses themselves express the singer's insecurity, with lines like "some day baby I won't have to beg" indicating a fear of abandonment. This fear presents itself again in the last line of the song's chorus, "don't disappoint me," reinforcing the singer's feeling of vulnerability in their emotional life. The chorus's repetition is a manifestation of the singer's inner voice, a desperate plea for certainty in their relationship, as if they are the only ones keeping it together. The song concludes with an exhortation to speak freely and honestly, to declare one's wants and needs out loud to combat the anxiety inherent in questioning a partner's love.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been up all night and the night before my teeth are dirty my eyes are sore
I've been partying and staying up late, my appearance shows my exhaustion.


There was good time had by all accounts we've been drinking to you in tall amounts I guess we had a little trouble in the hotel bar
We had a good time drinking but some trouble started in the hotel bar.


Some hometown bubba went a little too far He said he don't like Catholics he don't like Jews He don't like me and he don't like you
A man caused trouble by expressing bigoted opinions.


Say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me Say it say it say it say it
Please tell me you love me and need me, and don't let me down. Repeat it.


I've got ten good years left in my legs some day baby I won't have to beg The first thing to go is not your mind you have known that for a long long time
I still have energy left in me, but I won't always have to rely on others. Stamina is fleeting, but I accept this fact.


You've got the Irish eyes and the Irish lips from your head down to your fingertips Poetry in your kiss and your hand poetry anywhere that you stand
You embody Irish beauty with every part of you - your eyes, lips, and even your touch.


Come on and say you love me say you need me say you want me don't disappoint me Say it say it say it say it
Please tell me again and again how much you love and need me.


Speak your mind darlin' state your case baby Lay it on the line sugar cut to the chase maybe Say it in your own words don't be proud If it's something that you want to get heard You've got to say it to me right out loud
Tell me exactly what's on your mind, don't hold back - use your own words and say it out loud.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RODNEY CROWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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