Say Anything, then called Sayanything, began their career when the band was still in high school. They self-released two EP's and one LP entitled Baseball. Baseball and the band's first EP, Junior Varsity, are both out of print and are no longer available. The band's second EP entitled Menora/Mejorah was released online. All of these early albums have a pop punk sound reminiscent of blink-182 and of Max's favorite band, Saves the Day.
In August 2004 they released ...Is a Real Boy on Doghouse Records. The album was produced by Tim O'Heir (Sebadoh, All-American Rejects, Superdrag) with arrangements by Stephen Trask (Grammy nominated for Hedwig & the Angry Inch). While recording the album Max Bemis had a nervous breakdown during which he took to the streets of New York until his girlfriend found him and ended up in a mental hospital for a few weeks. He attributes the breakdown to stress and bipolar disorder.
Some time after ...Is a Real Boy was released, a set of 8 songs entitled Vs. AIDS Demos were leaked onto the internet by an unknown source. Soon the band told fans that the demos were part of an AIDS benefit album that had been scrapped, and told anyone who had attained them not to distribute them to anyone else (Max Bemis later stated on his website, "that shit sucks," in regard to the demos).
Say Anything signed with J Records (Maroon 5, Alicia Keys), owned by BMG Entertainment, one of the "big four" record labels. Under J Records they re-released ...Is a Real Boy with a bonus disc entitled ...Was a Real Boy containing seven of the eight Vs. AIDS Demos. This album, originally scheduled to be released on October 25th, 2005, was delayed over 4 months to February 28th, 2006. Some copies ended up leaking out through various retailers, notably Tower Records' website. Most leaks occurred due to retailers shipping pre-orders before J-Records had a chance to stop them. Soon copies of the album were selling for over $50 on eBay.
Say Anything released their third album, In Defense of the Genre, under J Records in 2007. Produced by Brad Wood, the album had two discs containing 27 songs, many of them featuring guest appearances by high-profile musicians such as Gerard Way and Hayley Williams.
In November 2009, Say Anything released their fourth full-length studio album, Say Anything. This is the band's first album under RCA Records. It contains 13 tracks, including "Hate Everyone," which was the album's first single.
On August 19, 2010 it was confirmed that Say Anything and RCA Records had parted ways. Soon after (September 29) it was announced via Say Anything's official website that Alex Kent would be leaving the band, and that Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line would be temporarily taking over as bassist for their upcoming tour. As of so far no permanent bassist has been selected to replace Kent.
In December 2012, Bemis announced that drummer Coby Linder, the only other remaining original member of the band, had left Say Anything on amicable terms to pursue other projects.
People Like You Are Why People Like Me Exist
Say Anything Lyrics
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So now I'm taking it from you
Back in the hands of the natives of this land
You're a fallen star
You know not what you are
We're escaping through the tunnels deep beneath you
People like you are why people like me exist
People like you are why people like me defy your lies
So here's your kiss goodbye
Don't you look at her
Don't even say a word
You had your chance and you sold it secondhand
Repressed and overdressed
Brand a scarlet letter on your chest
Here's where second best overtakes the rest
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy your lies
So here's your kiss goodbye
We see, we see right through
We see, we see right through you
We see, we see right through
We see right through you
A person's not more than a thing
The day his insides cease to sting
Yeah
Get on your gloves and take the ring
Vacate your throne, unholy king of kings
Whoa yeah
People like you are why people like me exist
Persist (persist) to spit upon your writ
People like you are why people like me defy (defy) your lies (your lies)
So here's your kiss goodbye
People like you
People like you
People like you are why people defy your lies
So here's a kiss goodbye
The lyrics of this song by Say Anything, People Like You Are Why People Like Me Exist, speaks of empowerment and overcoming oppression. The first verse addresses someone who didn't ask for their position of power, but since they have it, the people who have been oppressed will take it back. The fallen star imagery implies that the person is no longer shining as brightly and is on their way to disappearing. The following lines strike a defiant tone, stating that people in power like them are the reason people who have been oppressed persist and speak out against them. The chorus highlights this point, calling out the lies that the powerful have been spreading and stating that they will no longer stand for it.
The second verse contains direct address and asserts that the one in power should not address the person who has been oppressed. It also asserts that the person in power has had their chance and has failed to make a real difference. The lines about branding a scarlet letter on their chest is a reference to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, where the singer is stigmatized and forced to wear an embroidered letter 'A' on her clothes as a sign of her adultery. The final lines point to the fact that the oppressed see right through the lies of those in power and calls for their downfall.
Overall, the song is a call to stand up against those in power who have not used their position for good. The lyrics are urging the oppressed to take back power and defy those who have been lying to keep them down.
Line by Line Meaning
You never wanted this
You never desired to possess this thing that I am taking from you now.
So now I'm taking it from you
I am taking it from you now since you do not want it anymore.
Back in the hands of the natives of this land
I am returning this thing back to its rightful owners, the people who initially possessed it.
You're a fallen star
You were once the center of attraction as a shining star. But now you are nothing because you have lost your luster.
You know not what you are
You do not have any idea what you are since you are not true to your identity.
We're escaping through the tunnels deep beneath you
We are going away from you through the underground passages to secretly escape.
People like you are why people like me exist
The reason people like me exist is because of people like you.
Persist to spit upon your writ
We continue to resist and reject your written rules.
So here's your kiss goodbye
This is goodbye, our way of saying farewell to you.
Don't you look at her
Do not even glance at her direction.
Don't even say a word
Do not dare utter a single word.
You had your chance and you sold it secondhand
You had your opportunity, but you sold it to someone else for a lesser value.
Repressed and overdressed
You hide or hold back your true feelings and personality, and you also dress inappropriately.
Brand a scarlet letter on your chest
You should be ashamed of yourself and should wear a visible mark of disgrace.
Here's where second best overtakes the rest
Second best emerges as the most excellent option among all options.
We see, we see right through
We understand your true motive, and we are not fooled by your misleading actions.
We see, we see right through you
We see through your facade, and we know the real you.
A person's not more than a thing
A person's value is not measured by what they possess, but by other things like their character.
The day his insides cease to sting
The day his heart would not sting from hurt or pain anymore.
Get on your gloves and take the ring
Prepare yourself for a fight, and take the prize you so desire.
Vacate your throne, unholy king of kings
You who reign with wickedness and oppression should step down from your position of authority.
People like you
People like you who are deceitful and manipulative.
People like you are why people defy your lies
People like you are the reason why we reject all the falsehood and deception.
So here's a kiss goodbye
This is the final goodbye, our last kiss-off to you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAX BEMIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind