Emeli Sandé – Read All About It Part III

You've got the words to change a nation
But you're biting your tongue
You've spent a life time stuck in silence
Afraid you'll say something wrong
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?
So come on, come on
Come on, come on

You've got a heart as loud as lions
So why let your voice be tamed?
Maybe we're a little different
There's no need to be ashamed
You've got the light to fight the shadows
So stop hiding it away
Come on, come on

I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, no oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

At night we're waking up the neighbors
While we sing away the blues
Making sure that we're remembered, yeah
'Cause we all matter too
If the truth has been forbidden
Then we're breaking all the rules
So come on, come on
Come on, come on

Let's get the TV and the radio
To play our tune again
It's 'bout time we got some airplay of our version of events
There's no need to be afraid
I will sing with you my friend
Come on, come on

I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Yeah, we're all wonderful, wonderful people
So when did we all get so fearful?
Now we're finally finding our voices
So take a chance, come help me sing this
Yeah, we're all wonderful, wonderful people
So when did we all get so fearful?
And now we're finally finding our voices
Just take a chance, come help me sing this

I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh


Lyrics submitted by MichaC, edited by Rebekah-Marie, AmberBell, Jdhgd2

"Read All About It, Pt. III" as written by Benjamin Alexander Kohn Adele Emily Sande

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Bucks Music Group

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Read All About It Part III song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +5
    My InterpretationI believe this song is just about anyone trying to speak up on issues that are subject to prejudice by society, such as gay couples, rape, etc.

    I think the fact that this song is fairly broad, lets a lot of space for interpretation, and gives people hope for a voice.
    Plupon May 10, 2013   Link
  • +3
    My InterpretationLike many other songs,this of course can have many interpretations.
    I take this song like an encouragement to shout out anything about anything to anybody you want - to the special person, to the special group of people or to the world in general.
    '' We are wonderful,wonderful people,
    So when did we all get so fearful?''

    It's not always so easy as it sounds to find that inner voice and essentialy - to get strenghts and shout it out no matter of other opinions.
    But when you do, when you find that spark and that strenghts it is like- ''So put it all of the papers,im not afraid.They can read all about it.''
    cristalsouon March 12, 2013   Link
  • +3
    Memorymy friend committed suicide and her bestfriend sang this song at the talent show to show people that they can read her story and hopefully stop bullying
    lexi102152on April 26, 2014   Link
  • +2
    My InterpretationI think it's about a highly scrutinized gay couple who can't come out because of publicity and hatred. "you've got the words to change a nation, but you're biting your tongue,"- (coming out), "baby, we're a little different, there's no need to be ashamed."

    And the entire song is about them wanting to come out to the public, they don't care about the hate that they'll receive anymore. "put it in all of the papers, they can read all about it." "it's about time we got some airplay of our version of events."

    I am just absolutely convinced that this is what this entire song is about. It's very bittersweet, sweet because they want to come out and be themselves but they're afraid and ugh, beautiful song.
    cellophaneskinon June 19, 2012   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • +2
    My InterpretationTo me personally this song is a call to speak up for the victims of domestic violence. It is an issue that is rarely discussed in public (especially in my country) - people tend to think of it as a private family matter and hide it away from society ("the truth has been forbidden").

    So, when someone has been a victim of violence or knows of people who have been abused, he wants to help them desperately ("You've got a heart as loud as lions") and knows that he could do something to change the lives of so many people ("You've got the words to change a nation", "You've got the light to fight the shadows"), but is silent because he is afraid to bring the issue to light and do something that is never or rarely done.

    The song is also an encouragement to the victims who do not realise their true value and dignity because they have been brought down by the abusers for so long ("that we all matter to", "we're all wonderful, wonderful people").

    The lines "There's no need to be afraid, I will sing with you my friend", "Now we're finally finding our voices, So take a chance come help me sing this" bring hope - if we come together, we can make a difference.
    za85on August 10, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Commentemeli sande wrote this song about bringing back the real meaning and truth behind music and lyrics rather than for "the moment" songs that are in the charts these days. Its about bringing back the messages that songs in the 60's and 70's had where they really thought about their lyrics and where there was a real awareness of the world around them..really timeless music. About bringing poetry back into music and about getting poetic music played on the radio and tv like it used to be. She said that she feels alot of people get misrepresented by things that are supposed to represent them in the media and are categorised "like this is the channels where you can find music that represents you" and being put in categories. It''s about time she got some airplay of her version of events
    scoobydogon November 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationI think this song can cover a whole range of topic, which I will not go into due to them already been put down.

    My own personal opinion of this song:
    It makes me think of the holocaust, which in retrospect, is probably a pretty silly thing to be thinking about when hearing this song.
    I have no idea why it makes me think of the holocaust, but it still does.
    CharlieMadon May 19, 2013   Link
  • -1
    My InterpretationI don't think this song is about one thing in particular like race, a single idea, or gay people. I think it's about fear in general. I think she wrote it for one person she knew who was like that, but so many of us are. How many people out there are afraid to share their thoughts, their ideas, because they think "someone has already thought that before" or "no one will care" or "they'll just think it's stupid" or not to offend other people, or because they think their ideas are so far fetched.

    "Baby, we're all a little different, there's no need to be ashamed" Every single person even the most normal-seeming person, has something different, unique they can add to the world. But we just don't want to be real and vulnerable.
    afinikizsbon June 28, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General CommentI see this song as being based on a shy, reserved person. who has always kept their mouth shut, allowing their fear of what others might think to dictate their life. Causing them to keep whatever greatness they might have inside them, hidden. The words of this song are urging that person to break free, show the world what their capable of, and to not only write "their song" but to sing it, to step onto the stage, finally embrace the spotlight, and to "live their life".
    janaemeon October 26, 2015   Link
  • -1
    My InterpretationFor me this song is about all those who are to shy or introverted.
    For those who have a reason not to talk much.
    Everyone should say what he or she wants, especially those who hold back their opinions because every Opinion is important.

    Thats my own interpretation to this song.
    Olking1on January 08, 2016   Link

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