The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere, I would have followed you, oh-oh
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere, I would have followed you, oh-oh
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something
Lyrics submitted by ColdIvory, edited by squidwyatt, Awsomeniss9595, LornaRadke, Sparkie69, LadyZama
Say Something Lyrics as written by Ian Axel Chad Vaccarino
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song makes me so sad. I can completely relate to it. For the past year in a half I have been dating someone who I was friends with for nearly seven years. He moved to another country and I have been the one who would travel there every month to see him. I always did everything I could to make his life more comfortable. Gave 100% of me and did everything he liked with him but the favor was hardly ever returned. Loving a selfish person is hard but I tried my best. I even let him know many times that I would be willing to move there and give up my family, friends and life for him.
"Anywhere, I would've followed you." - I really would have gone anywhere for him.
I daydreamed about having a family and future with him but he never talked about those things with me. It was so hard, he lived so far away and I would have had to give up so much to be with him but that didn't bother me at all. That was just how much I loved him but I was so frustrated that he never talked about a future with me. He wanted me to move in with him, but without a commitment. I just don't understand how he could have had this type of expectation and feel right about even asking me this without a commitment.
"I'll be the one, if you want me to." - I broke up with him. I told him to take as much time as he needs. When he's ready, he can let me know and if i am still single then we can take things from there. Hard to believe but he asked me if I could try not to date other people while he thinks about us. Is that crazy? How could I have loved someone so much who is this type of person? Was I really that blinded by love?
I do know that he cares about me a lot but I can't settle for a mediocre relationship. I read this quote once and it has been stuck in my head:
"Unless it's mad, passionate, extraordinary love, it's a waste of your time. There are too many mediocre things in life. Love shouldn't be one of them."
"And I am feeling so small. It was over my head. I know nothing at all." This really hurts. Yes, I was way over my head. What was I thinking? "And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you. And anywhere, I would have followed you." - Too bad things didn't work out. I really would have followed him anywhere.
"Say something, I'm giving up on you." - I broke up with him, I give up. I gave him my best. He took me for granted and it was time I put myself first.
Just a couple days ago I met someone pretty amazing in my city. It's crazy. It was like I made a wish and this amazing wish came true. This new guy is drop dead gorgeous, better looking than George Clooney, highly successful, the perfect gentleman and has all the qualities I like in a person. I made a list of all the qualities I wanted in a partner. It's crazy. Everything on my list, this guy has it. All of it! The last guy did not even meet a quarter of the qualities I wanted in a person. I finally see now that I was stupid to have been so blinded before.
Love yourself first. Don't let anyone take you for granted. They don't deserve you if they do not treat you how you treat them.
Leloann- Read the books "Why Men Love B" by Sherry Argov, go to the website Anewmode & buy their e-book "He's not that complicated", it's really worth it, read " The Rules" by Elle Fein & Sherrie Scheider and "Mr.Unavailabe & the fallback girl" by Natlie Lou and check out her website. I've been that girl too. Not anymore! Make it a New Years resolution to read these & take notes! Good luck w/ur new man!! Sending love & growth ur way!!
Wow. Great writing. As I was reading, I was thinking to myself, gee I wonder if this girl is still available? ;-) I would have written exactly what you wrote about my girlfriend, but it was for 3 years. Some family things came between us that made it not possible for us to be together when her daughter was around.<br /> <br /> We did our best and had a great relationship for another year, but in the end, we both knew it would never be permanent. So the right thing to do was to end it.<br /> <br /> In my case, I wasn't so blinded by things, I actually saw them and overlooked them in exchange for the amazing qualities that existed. But, I gave and gave and gave so much. It's not that I expected anything in return, but sometimes, you would like some reciprocation.<br /> <br /> It's a great song. Sad? Yes, but unfortunately, it's part of life.<br /> <br /> Glad you have found an amazing guy, you deserve it!
Wow, as I'm reading these posts I can relate to all of them... I am currently in this situation and I feel stuck... He wants time to think about us as we'll, we have so many complications. He has a daughter as well who I adore, however he can't seem to move out if the house Sowecan start something together. It's his decision To make, but if he wants to be with me he can't live in the house with his ex....it's making me sick....I don't know what else to do I've loved him for so long....he says he loves me too and wants to be with me but he doesn't know how to get to that point. My family also has issues with him due to his past, however they have been accepting of most of it, and I guess have finally realized that I love him a lot so they would accept him asking as he treats me well. <br /> He doesn't have any answers for me, just expects me to wait....Ive done everything and anything to show him how much I love him... He is my best friend and I can't even picture my life without him.<br /> Please help. I'm lost and heart broken :(
I'm so glad your story had a happy ending. All the best on your new relationship! :)
@leloann76 Hi! Are you still with the drop dead gorgeous guy?