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.
It's easier to forgive someone for being wrong than for being right, isn't it?
And how your angry tears will fall
When all your plans don't suit the one you made them for,
It comes to this.
It's easier forgetting how you got to shore,
When every cloud that blows your way is something else to blame it for.
Say it like you feel it, you can't say it like you feel it anymore.
Say it like I mean it, I can't say it like I mean it anymore.
Hold it up to the light it looks like love,
It's what the mirror said, you name it so.
But you cut your pretty shapes as paper flakes
From careful sheets that blow away,
Not made to keep.
What if alteration makes a little liar?
Watching paint instead is easier on the eye than watch you hide.
Say it like you feel it, you don't say it like you feel it anymore.
Say it like I mean I, I can't say it like I mean it anymore, not anymore.
There are people who you think you're gonna love forever,
Oh well you should know better, should know better.
Some people only see you as a move they're making,
With a better stake in, better stake in.
There are people who you think you're gonna love forever,
You're gonna stay together, you should know better.
Some people don't give you what you give them freely
But you found it easy, you got it so completely.
And how your angry tears will fall
When all your plans don't suit the one you made them for,
It comes to this.
It's easier forgetting how you got to shore,
When every cloud that blows your way is something else to blame it for.
Say it like you feel it, you can't say it like you feel it anymore.
Say it like I mean it, I can't say it like I mean it anymore.
Hold it up to the light it looks like love,
It's what the mirror said, you name it so.
But you cut your pretty shapes as paper flakes
From careful sheets that blow away,
Not made to keep.
What if alteration makes a little liar?
Watching paint instead is easier on the eye than watch you hide.
Say it like you feel it, you don't say it like you feel it anymore.
Say it like I mean I, I can't say it like I mean it anymore, not anymore.
There are people who you think you're gonna love forever,
Oh well you should know better, should know better.
Some people only see you as a move they're making,
With a better stake in, better stake in.
There are people who you think you're gonna love forever,
You're gonna stay together, you should know better.
Some people don't give you what you give them freely
But you found it easy, you got it so completely.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Can't Say It Like I Mean It Lyrics as written by Peter Glenister Alison Moyet
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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