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.
Tonight is like space invaders
There is nothing at work
The faces have become like traffic
Multi-purpose conversation
I stand like a lighthouse
I have become a lighthouse
But if we met we would exhaust this place
And if you spoke then this world would short-circuit
Say something
Make it a direct hit
Say something
Make me never forget
I don't want to stand and compute
I want days and weeks to burst out of you
I am listening for dear life
I want you to talk like it's a breakthrough
There is nothing at work
The faces have become like traffic
Multi-purpose conversation
I stand like a lighthouse
I have become a lighthouse
But if we met we would exhaust this place
And if you spoke then this world would short-circuit
Say something
Make it a direct hit
Say something
Make me never forget
I don't want to stand and compute
I want days and weeks to burst out of you
I am listening for dear life
I want you to talk like it's a breakthrough
Lyrics submitted by the blunt one
Say Something Lyrics as written by Paul Anthony Dempsey Stephanie Ashworth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This song is clearly about communication. I think it's about people who have some sort of a connection that cannot be expressed in words but a kind of desperation to do so. I really love this song it really speaks to me, I can tottally relate
I've always heard this song as bascially "Say something worthwhile" Don't waste your life talking smalltalk and shite... say something interesting and insightful... something with meaning... But thats just me...
I believe this song is about two people, maybe people in love. One is bored, numb, just living with what she knows, but it doesn't really bother her, but its driving him so insane he snaps. He begins to see it in everyone too after that, (the numbness) and he just wants her and in the end ("make me never forget this") anyone or someone who wants more, someone like him.
I believe this song is about two people, maybe people in love. One is bored, numb, just living with what she knows, but it doesn't really bother her, but its driving him so insane he snaps. He begins to see it in everyone too after that, (the numbness) and he just wants her and in the end ("make me never forget this") anyone or someone who wants more, someone like him.
Yeah I agree, especially since I worked in an office where it says 'there is nothing at work, the faces have become like traffic'. And yes, every single day at work I get sick of people's faces especially when they gossip a lot ('multi-purpose conversations') which I can't stand.
I also find this song very encouraging, being fast-paced where in the end he's screaming for you to actually 'say something'. A lot of feeling and it really brings the message across.
The best thing to do with this song is really reallly crank it up and just SCREAM the chorus... just wish there was more of it.
"SAY SOMETHING, make it a direct hit"
i love Paul Dempsey's voice, and this song really brings out it's beautiful core. it always reminds meof spending time alone amogst many other people, like in the city
It's probably about a more generalized lack of communication among people, like other comments here have said, but personally I associate it with the frustration of trying to communicate with someone you care about when they're shutting you out.
There's such a sense of restrained passion in the lyrics, the idea that the connection between these people is incredibly volatile ("if we met we would exhaust this place"), but it's being stifled by the other person's refusal to communicate. Having been there, I entirely understand the desperation to hear them just... say something, anything, to end the "days and weeks" of cold silence, to make that "breakthrough" and feel something again. Incredible song.
fromadistantsun, you listerally took the words from my mouth.
your last paragraph is like my exact situation at the moment. i am "listening for dear life" for this person to end "the days and weeks" of silence between us, but he just won't. i want to make "a breakthrough" & be close to him again, but i feel i'm simply static & unimportant to him, a "lighthouse". so i'm screaming at him to say something, so desperately..