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Say Something by A Great Big World: Lyrics Meaning and Interpretation

A Great Big World is a duo from New York. Ian Axel and Chad King form the musical duo, rising up to fame with their single on the show, Glee. The single “This is the New Year” was loved by all, and placed the duo on the American Music Map. The band also became famous with the song “Say Something”. The duo paired with Christina Aguilera for the song. It is a soothing, piano-ballad. The duo with Christina also performed at the Grammys. The song was also highly applauded by many critics as well. The lyrics of the song are quite powerful, poetic, and honest.

What does the title mean?

Say something lyrics meaning explores the different layers of heart-break. It talks of the process of breaking-up. The title ‘say something’is quite apt here as the singer is asking the lover to say something. It is important for the lover to express their words and convey the love. It is important to communicate in a relationship. Communication is fundamental – for loving and understanding. The title, thus, fits perfectly.

Intro – What does it mean?

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

The intro of the song dives right into the emotions of the singer. The very first lyric talks about the emotion of the singer that he is about to give up on the lover. The Singer is openly claiming the love he has for the lover. He is wanting the lover to notice his affection. The singer is asking the lover to say something – to save himself from the heartbreak. The singer is willing to follow his lover anywhere. But he needs acceptance or some recognition from his lover. He is on the verge of breaking up – of giving up – but he waiting for his lover to respond. It is a plea of the singer to have a communication. Often in a relationship, there is a gap in communication. The gap leads to a lot of pain and loss.

Verse 1 – What does it mean?

And I am feeling so small

It was over my head

I know nothing at all

The first verse is a depiction of the singer’s emotion. He is conveying his insecurities and what he is feeling. The singer feels small and insignificant in the relationship. The singer openly says that he knows nothing at all. He is not sure of the status of the relationship and is not clear about the status of his lover. The lover is not responding or paying attention to him. Such feelings are heartbreaking. Every so often an individual in the relationship feels less loved. It might be due to changes in the relationship or changes in their environment This is a sad stage. It is the in-between stage wherein the person is trying to love more but is also on the verge of breaking everything. There is chaos everywhere.

Verse 2 – What does it mean?

And I will stumble and fall

I’m still learning to love

Just starting to crawl

The second verse continues with the emotions of the singer. Say something lyrics meaning is a desperate attempt of the singer towards saving the relationship. The singer is talking about his mistakes and flaws. He understands that nothing is perfect, and there must be flaws on either side. He is willing to learn. He openly admits that he is still learning how to love – he is trying to understand different languages of love. He has just started to understand loving – he is merely on the first level. The singer is committed and wants to move ahead. But, he can not move alone – he wants the support and recognition of the lover. The learning of love can not be a solo process – both sides have to be involved. In order to have a healthy relationship, both sides have to accept the flaws and be willing to learn more. It is a combined effort – a mutual understanding.

What does the chorus mean?

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

The chorus is a repetition of the intro. It is the singer’s cry for help. The chorus fits smoothly with the piano and it touches the heart of the listeners. Whoever has been through heartbreaks or failed relationship, understand this. This is the stage where they do not want to give up but they are seeing no option in front of them. They feel stuck in this situation – where they have to give up on love to get out. The love of the singer was not enough – that is what the singer is thinking. He is thinking that maybe he could not get to the lover. Maybe could not understand them or love them enough. They could not reach that level. The chorus is quite powerful and soul-touching. The slow music combined with the vocals takes you back to this situation (if you have ever faced or felt something like this).

Verse 3 – What does it mean?

And I will swallow my pride

You’re the one that I love

And I’m saying goodbye

Verse 3 is another exploration of the love of the singer. The singer is willing to give up everything else for the love – including their pride. They are not too proud of confessing their love or their need. They are clear of they choice as well – the love they want. The singer says that the lover is the one that he wants and now he has to say goodbye to that person. This lyric is completely heart-breaking. It is really sad to say goodbye to the person whom you love the most. There are dreams and hopes that you have with that person, but now you have to give up on them. This is a tragedy – losing love. The singer is sadly at this stage. He has to give up the love – the purest thing he had in his life.

What does the chorus mean?

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

The chorus is repeated again. It further deepens the pain of the singer. The desperation for a reply from the lover is too intense. It is as if only one word is needed to stop the singer from giving up. A reason to not quit, but the singer is not able to find that reason. There is no response from the lover. There are not any inclinations. It is sadly the end of that relationship and the love. It is a dark tunnel with no light anywhere. A lot of people have witnessed this situation and they resonate with the singer. They could not get the needed response from their loved ones and had to give up on their love. It is a sad modern tale.

What does the outro mean?

Oh-oh, say something, I’m giving up on you

Say something, I’m giving up on you

Say something

The outro is a repetition of the title. Say something lyrics meaning touches your heart, and the outro makes you cry. The need for a word – for one single word – is too real. The singer is repeatedly asking the lover to say something. The singer wants the lover to notice that he is receding. His efforts have stopped and he is giving up. He wants the lover to intervene and stop the singer from giving up. Anything, any word might be enough for the singer but there needs to be something.

Conclusion

Say something is a heart-wrecking ballad. It reached the depth of your heart and makes you feel those emotions of heartbreak. The lyrics are simple and quite powerful – the mere chorus of “say something” is something that has occurred in many of our lives. In arguments, we often come to a point where we have conveyed a point and we want the other person to say something. It is the response – the understanding that is needed. Say something lyrics meaning also explores these emotions.

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