The Flaming Lips

A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn't So)

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A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn't So) Lyrics

I know everything changes
Yeah, it's strange how time marches on
Maybe there'll be some time in the future
Oh, tell me I'm not wrong

Oh, if I could stop time
It would be a frozen moment just around Christmas
When all of mankind reveals its truest potential
And there is sympathy for the suffering
Yes, there is sympathy for those who are suffering

And the world embraces peace and love and mercy
Instead of power and fear
And as sure as I'm standing here
I swear it really does appear that a change comes over us
Yes, some kind of change comes over us

And it's glimpsed for one shining moment
And this change feels like a change that's real
But then it passes along with the season
And then we just go back to the way we were
Yes, we just go back to the way we were

Say it isn't so
Tell me I'm not just a dreamer
I'm talking with a friend and he knows how it ends
He says it's easier, that's just the way we are
That's human nature and that's just the way we are
Oh, say it isn't so!

Submitted by

mellow_harsher On Jul 21, 2005

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Cover art for A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn't So) lyrics by Flaming Lips, The

by DrMambo

17y ago

This is my favorite song. Period. No one I know (even those that love the flaming lips) even like it a little.

Wayne Coyne has the unique ability to say whatever he feels at anytime he wants and it serves to be absolutely endearing and genuine. If he didn't, this song would end up sounding like something crooned by a hack in a starbucks.

What's great about this song is that it reflects what it's like to be someone as optimistic as Coyne, it strikes this perfect balance between extreme happiness at knowing what goodness there is in the world and indescribable sadness at knowing how much we're failing to live up to our potential as human beings to create a world that is as beautiful as possible.

It's strange that this song is about the holiday season, because one of the things I've always liked about the Lips is that they seem pretty atheistic. But this 'A Change at Christmas' isn't religious, it's about the secular aspects of the holiday season. The time of year when the world is at its coldest and bleakest, we decorate things and celebrate humanity with those closest to us. Everyone is nicer to each other around Christmas time, it's the "holiday spirit". We give to charities and have parties and show everyone how much we love them. Wayne is saying that this is "mankind's truest potential", imploring us to think about how much better the world would be if we could just stop time there, maintain that kind of spirit our whole lives. Every year he thinks that the change is a real, permanent one, and every year he is let down and emotionally crushed that it only lasts for one shining moment, and we just go back to the way we were.

The last verse is the most angry, as Wayne speaks with a cynical friend of his. He has a dire view of humanity and says that evil is human nature and there's nothing we can do about it, that's just the way we are. And that genuine voice says in the saddest tone it can muster, "say it isn't so."

I know that I just spent a couple of paragraphs "explaining" a very obvious song, but it means a lot to me. I don't usually respond to sappy songs, they seem unnatural. I usually prefer songs that are kind of cynical or satirical towards gooey "let's all love one another" sentiments, but this song is truly heartbreaking and has made me cry like only the Flips can.

This is my favorite song.  Period.  No one I know (even those that love the flaming lips) even like it a little.

Wayne Coyne has the unique ability to say whatever he feels at anytime he wants and it serves to be absolutely endearing and genuine.  If he didn't, this song would end up sounding like something crooned by a hack in a starbucks.

It's strange that this song is about the holiday season, because one of the things I've always liked about the Lips is that they seem pretty atheistic.  But this 'A Change at Christmas' isn't religious, it's about the secular aspects of the holiday season.  The time of year when the world is at its coldest and bleakest, we decorate things and celebrate humanity with those closest to us.  Everyone is nicer to each other around Christmas time, it's the "holiday spirit".  We give to charities and have parties and show everyone how much we love them.  Wayne is saying that this is "mankind's truest potential", imploring us to think about how much better the world would be if we could just stop time there, maintain that kind of spirit our whole lives.  Every year he thinks that the change is a real, permanent one, and every year he is let down and emotionally crushed that it only lasts for one shining moment, and we just go back to the way we were.

The last verse is the most angry, as Wayne speaks with a cynical friend of his.  He has a dire view of humanity and says that evil is human nature and there's nothing we can do about it, that's just the way we are.  And that genuine voice says in the saddest tone it can muster, "say it isn't so."

I know that I just spent a couple of paragraphs "explaining" a very obvious song, but it means a lot to me.  I don't usually respond to sappy songs, they seem unnatural.  I usually prefer songs that are kind of cynical or satirical towards gooey "let's all love one another" sentiments, but this song is truly heartbreaking and has made me cry like only the Flips can.

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by complicatedshoes 15y ago

DrMambo, I just created an account on this site just so I could say that your post was really beautiful, and I completely agree. I can barely keep myself from crying when I hear this song. And I know this was a few years ago at this point, but I wanted to say so anyway.

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by Untitled101 13y ago

Well said, I agree with complicatedshoes. The post was beautiful and very true. The Flaming Lips are, in my opinion, one of the best bands I've ever heard. I thought these guys were a little weird when I first heard them but after listening to their music for so long now I realized they are one of the most original and talented bands out there. The lyrics are just so amazing in every song, it gets me to think of things I never would have before. Really hope I'm able to see them live in the future

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by caramelprisoner

19y ago

holy crap, what a sweet song! awesome lyrics and awesome music. the lips rock my boat!

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by loafer

19y ago

I think this is more like a mission statment than a song, I don't know. It is very touching. Listen to this song and then listen to "Eveythings Explodin'" off the Oh My Gawd!! album. It's crazy the changes Wayne and the band have gone through.