Formed in 1968 Utrecht, Holland, disbanded 1981
Sommerset was a traditio… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in 1968 Utrecht, Holland, disbanded 1981
Sommerset was a traditional Country & Western Band from Holland.

Also a,
Kiwi four piece melodic punk rock band who broke up recently (2005) to pursue other avenues eg Cobra Khan. Very widely recieved in the New Zealand rock/punk scene as well as scoring some international attention with hits like "Streets Dont Close" and "Say What You Want"

Say What You Want
Sommerset Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nothing in your culture takes you where you want to be
And nothing shakes that numbness at the heart of everything
Sometimes it feels like you were born missing a layer of skin
You'd cut yourself up to feel anything.. anything….

So say so say what you wants what you want
Because the world doesn't owe anything
Oh no not like you used to think

So say so say what you wants what you want
Because the world won't listen anymore
Oh no not like they did before

The world outside is such a string of inconsistent truths
So what's the point when you've got nothing left to use?
Its not the first time you've been caught In a storm of recognition
But it's the first time you're not covering. covering…

So say so say what you wants what you want
Because the world doesn't owe anything
Oh no not like you used to think

So say so say what you wants what you want
Because the world won't listen anymore
Oh no not like they did before yeahoooo

Nothing in your culture takes you where you want to be
And nothing shakes that numbness at the heart of everything
Sometimes it feels like you were born missing a layer of skin
You'd cut yourself to ribbons to feel anything.. anything… anything……..

So say so say what you wants what you want
Because the world doesn't owe anything
Oh no not like you used to think

So say so say what you wants what you want

Because the world won't listen anymore
Oh no not like they did before

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sommerset's song 'Say What You Want' can be interpreted to be about feeling lost or disconnected from society and the world at large. The first verse talks about how nothing in one's culture can take them where they want to be and how they feel numb and disconnected from everything. The second verse continues with the theme of feeling lost and not knowing what to do in a world full of inconsistent truths.

The chorus provides a message of empowerment, encouraging the listener to speak their mind and say what they want because the world doesn't owe them anything and won't listen anymore like it did before. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of taking a stance and speaking up for oneself in a world where it can be difficult to feel heard or understood.

Overall, the song can be seen as a call to action to break free from societal expectations and speak out about one's true feelings and desires.

Line by Line Meaning

Nothing in your culture takes you where you want to be
Your culture or surroundings cannot guide you to the place where you desire to go.

And nothing shakes that numbness at the heart of everything
You are unable to overcome the feeling of numbness that permeates everything you do.

Sometimes it feels like you were born missing a layer of skin
You frequently feel vulnerable and exposed, as if you lack the necessary protection from emotional pain.

You'd cut yourself up to feel anything.. anything..
You are so desperate for emotional stimulation that you would resort to self-inflicted harm just to feel something.

So say so say what you wants what you want
Express yourself boldly and without hesitation.

Because the world doesn't owe anything
You cannot expect the world to fulfil your desires or meet your expectations.

Oh no not like you used to think
You have revised your opinion on this matter and now recognise that the world cannot be relied upon in the way that you previously believed.

Because the world won't listen anymore
The world has become indifferent to your voice and no longer pays attention to what you have to say.

Oh no not like they did before
There was once a time when your words had more weight and importance, but that is no longer the case.

The world outside is such a string of inconsistent truths
The world is filled with contradictions and falsehoods that do not align with your personal truth or belief system.

So what's the point when you've got nothing left to use?
You are feeling depleted and drained, with no resources or tools at your disposal to effect change.

Its not the first time you've been caught in a storm of recognition
You have experienced similar moments of clarity and insight before, where you recognise the true nature of your reality.

But it's the first time you're not covering. covering...
This is the first time you are not hiding or suppressing your emotions or true feelings.

Nothing in your culture takes you where you want to be
The constraints and limitations of your culture prevent you from achieving your desired goals or aspirations.

And nothing shakes that numbness at the heart of everything
You are still unable to shake off the pervasive feeling of emotional numbness and detachment in every aspect of your life.

You'd cut yourself to ribbons to feel anything.. anything.. anything...
Your desperation to feel something, anything, has reached such an extreme that you would resort to extreme self-harm to elicit a response.

Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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