VERTICAL HORIZON
You Say Lyrics
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It burns you up inside
Here in the shell of a sun
We echo on
Too much listening
Not enough living
What did I say
What did you, you say
We just go away, go away, go away
It helps you out
Knowing I'm left out
Locked in a box with a light
That won't shine
Turn it on and wait for
Someone to come
And you say
What did I say
What did you, you say
We just go away, go away, go away
I'm here now, waiting
Holding on to reasons
Wasted I faced it
Watching you deny me
Here in the light
It burns you out sometimes
Here in the shell of a sun
We echo on
Left alone forever
All alone together
And you say
What did I say
What did you, you say
We just go away, go away, go away
And you say
What did I say
What did you, you say
We just go away, go away, go away
The song "You Say" by Vertical Horizon is a reflection on communication breakdowns and the difficulty of being truly present in relationships. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a state of burning out or feeling trapped, perhaps due to too much listening and not enough living, leading to a sense of being lost or left out. The repeated refrain of "what did I say, what did you say" suggests a breakdown in communication, as the singer struggles to understand what their partner is trying to communicate, leading to a feeling of loneliness and the sense that the relationship is going nowhere.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more desperate, longing for a connection with their partner and waiting for someone to come and help them. However, the light that the singer refers to won't shine, suggesting that their partner is not able to provide the support or understanding they need. The line "all alone together" reinforces the sense of isolation, as the singer is physically with their partner but feels emotionally disconnected.
Ultimately, the song suggests that the singer is facing a sense of hopelessness and is struggling to find a way out of the relationship or the situation. The lyrics and the haunting melody work together to create a sense of melancholy and contemplation, inviting the listener to reflect on their own experiences with communication breakdowns and the challenges of being present in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Here in the light
As we stand in the bright light, it highlights everything magnified.
It burns you up inside
Although it's bright, it causes a burning sensation within.
Here in the shell of a sun
We are like remnants of the sun present in its shadow.
We echo on
We continue to exist but our purpose is unclear.
Too much listening
We spend a lot of time listening to others.
Not enough living
We don't spend enough time living our own lives.
And you say
You speak with authority.
What did I say
You don't remember what you said previously.
What did you, you say
You question yourself, wondering if you made sense earlier.
We just go away, go away, go away
Despite being here, we disappear from each other.
It helps you out
When you exclude me out of things, you feel better.
Knowing I'm left out
As you realise that you've isolated me from your life.
Locked in a box with a light
I feel trapped in confinement with no escape.
That won't shine
The only light available is the one that doesn't show the way.
Turn it on and wait for
I can turn on this light and wait here for someone to come.
Someone to come
I'm still waiting for someone but it seems unlikely.
I'm here now waiting
I'm here, standing still waiting for you.
Holding on to reasons
I have multiple reasons to stay but one to leave.
Wasted I faced it
I wasted my time, knowing it would end this way.
Watching you deny me
I'm doing nothing but observe how you're crossing me out of your life.
Here in the light
Despite the brightness, it still feels grey.
It burns you out sometimes
Being in the light is exhausting and causes one to wither emotionally.
Left alone forever
The thought of being left alone indefinitely is harrowing.
All alone together
We're alone together, but it feels like a solitary trip.
And you say
You're quick to put your foot down.
What did I say
You're confused with what you said and its true meaning.
What did you, you say
You're questioning what you said as well as how it came across.
We just go away, go away, go away
Despite being in each other's company, we're not present with each other.
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.