Justin Timberlake is a popular and iconic American singer, actor, record producer, and songwriter. He is mostly known for his songs like ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’, ‘Rock Your Body, and ‘Sexyback’. He has sold over 88 million records of his various albums worldwide. Furthermore, He has also received a lot of awards like – the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and many more. Billboard even referred to him as the best male solo performing artist.
Born on January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee, Justin Randall Timberlake released his first studio album “Justifies” almost two decades ago. One of the songs from the album ‘Like I Love You’ made it to the Billboard chart and reached number 11. One of the songs on the album ‘Cry Me A River’ also gained a lot of popularity as it is believed to be for his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears. This album also reached the second position on the US Billboard Top 200 chart.
Being one of the hottest American stars, Justin Timberlake has always been under tremendous scrutiny, yet he has never shied away from the media. That is also why he could easily make huge progress in his career. He started his career with various boy bands. Then he went on to make solo albums and then finally made his way into the movies. Success did not come easily to him. He has been a very hard-working child. He participated in the competition ‘Star Search’ when he was 11 years old and ended up securing the runner-up position for himself.
In 2016, he got nominated for Oscars for ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’. That is also one of the 26th debut songs that reached Number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Now, let us look at Say Something lyrics meaning.
What Does the Title Mean?
Say Something lyrics meaning will only make sense to you once you understand the significance of the title of the song. The song, Say Something was not written and recorded by Justin Timberlake, but Chris Stapleton also played a huge role in its creation.
The title ‘Say Something’, signifies the pressure that all the famous personalities have to go through. It is pressure from society that makes these famous people feel obligated to make an opinion about things happening in society. Even when the person has absolutely nothing to say and has no opinion on the topics, society still makes them feel pressured to say anything and let everyone know their opinion. This shows how celebrities and other such personalities always become a victim of unwanted situations.
The creators of this song – Justin Timberlake and Stapleton, have not explained the significance or the meaning of the song. But the audience believes that this song has to do something with the #MeToo movement. Through this song, the singer tried to make the audience understand how the fans or public often pressurize celebrities to speak on all social ills. The singer also goes on to say that commenting on such issues does more harm than good to their image.
Read the whole article to understand Say Something lyrics meaning.
Verse 1: What Does it Mean?
Everyone knows all about my direction
And in my heart somewhere I wanna go there
Still, I don’t go there
The first verse of the song might not be clear to you when you hear the song for the first time. You hear the singer saying that everyone around him knows what he wants, what he likes and dislikes, and what his inclinations are. The singer has not said those things to them directly, but still, people around him know his ‘direction’. The singer even goes on to say that even though he wants to make some options and speak up about things, he does not. This verse does not state the reason for not speaking up even when he wants to. This can be interpreted from the lyrics that he does not speak up because his words are often misinterpreted and used against him.
Keep reading the explanations given for every part of the song to understand Say Something lyrics meaning completely.
Chorus: What Does it Mean?
Everybody says, “Say something that says something”
“Say something that says something”
“Say something that says something”
I don’t wanna get caught up in the rhythm of it
But I can’t help myself, no, I can’t help myself, no, no
Caught up in the middle of it
No, I can’t help myself, no I can’t help myself, no, no, no
Caught up in the rhythm of it
The chorus of the song speaks about how these public figures are frequently forced to let their fans know about their opinion on major events. Fans also want them to support their ideology and what they think is right. But, once these celebrities speak their heart out or let people know their opinion, they are criticized for it. People start making judgments, and they end up in trouble. That is why the chorus says, ‘Say something that says something, but the singer does not want to fall into the trap. The end of the chorus signifies that no matter how hard he tries, he always gets in trouble for saying his opinion out loud.
Post Chorus: What Does it Mean?
Maybe I’m looking for something I can’t have (Maybe I’m looking for something I can’t have)
Maybe I’m looking for something I can’t have
The post-chorus of the song speaks about how the public figures want to stay away from controversies. And avoid making any comments on sensitive issues, but no matter how much they try, they fail to keep their privacy. Their personal opinions and views are used against them.
Verse 2: What Does it Mean?
Everyone knows all about my transgressions
Still in my heart somewhere, there’s melody and harmony
For you and me tonight (Whoa)
I hear them call my name
In the second verse of the song, we find the terms ‘melody’ and ‘harmony’. The singer says that even though he wants to spread love and harmony through his songs, the public still wants to know his opinion on sensitive issues. No matter how much he tries to stay away from such things, the singer can hear them call his name constantly and ask for his opinion.
Bridge: What Does it Mean?
Sometimes, the greatest way to say something is to say nothing at all
Sometimes, the greatest way to say something is to say nothing at all
Sometimes, the greatest way to say something is to say nothing
The bridge of the song is the most important one. The singer says that even though everyone around him is forcing him to say something and let them know his opinion, he thinks it is best to stay quiet. He feels that sometimes silence is the best answer he can give. At the beginning of the song, we see the singer saying that everyone asks him to say something. But almost at the end of the song he says that saying nothing is the greatest way to say something.
Conclusion
This song was written almost a year before it was released when “all weird things” were happening in the country. Also, both the creators of the song have not explained the meaning of the song even once, the audience can listen to the song and make their own interpretations of the song. I hope after reading this article, you have understood Say Something lyrics meaning.
