What do you think Say Something means?

A Great Big World: Say Something Meaning

Album cover for Say Something album cover

Song Released: 2013


Say Something Lyrics

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.

And I am feeling so small.
It was over my head
I know nothing at all.

And I will stumble...

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  1. anonymous
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     Mar 23rd 2014 !⃝

    When listening to this I'm assuming or at least it's my opinion that both the woman and man singing have feelings for each other. Neither the woman or the man have talked about their feelings to the other. This makes me think theres a reason their holding back, like being in relationships, fear of their feelings being unrequited or they may be friends. Strange how someone can make you so happy but also make you feel so sad. It's not easy to live with this overrwelming feeling it makes you feel "small". You know your the best for this other person and could give them everything but you can't. Instead of continuing on and feeling sadness you start to "give up" as hard as it is. It is what's best for you. Even though inside your wanting to be with them.

  2. anonymous
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     Mar 21st 2014 !⃝

    I have been hunting for the meaning of this song in respect to a child - being that there is a child in the video hiding under a bed. I have no doubt this song is about a lost love - but obviously they were implying in the video it stretch across many a storylines - I like to think outside the box - I think of this song in relation to a child and everyone's inner child - giving up on their parent... They'll try hard to impress but they get nothing from their parent. They don't know what love is - they are just learning what relationships are and the one person who isn't meant to give up on them has. They are screaming out for affection and to be noticed - but their parent just doesn't care... Parents are the first people you leant to love and learn what love is and what it means - but if you don't get it them your done for...

  3. anonymous
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     Mar 18th 2014 !⃝

    I believe, of course, there are many interpretations. The most relatable to younger people would be the obvious relationship between lovers. One lover pleading for a reason not to leave and waiting for the other person to provide that.
    A second is a type of end of life situation as demonstrated by the older couple in the video. The person to be left all alone is telling the dying that they need the words that the other person will be alright and in the absence of that assurance they will be comforted that they can begin the recovery process and the dying person is saying that it is OK for the other to give up as they themselves are passing on

  4. anonymous
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     Mar 18th 2014 !⃝

    I believe it means that they are in a relationship but ones not trying as hard as the other and she's not putting up with it. She feels like nothing against the people that he likes she's still learning to love and she keep getting hurt like a baby, if they are learning to walk if they get pushed over they don't want to walk anymore. She would do anything for you and now she has to say goodbye but she wants you to say something to make her stay she would have done anything for you and she just wants that one thing to keep her hope up

  5. anonymous
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     Mar 17th 2014 !⃝

    At the moment, in the wake of the disappearance of flight MH370, when I listen to the lyrics I think of the family and loved ones waiting for some news from those on board...

    "Say something... I'm giving up on you"

    Very sad indeed

  6. anonymous
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     Mar 13th 2014 !⃝

    I think it means that you love the other person but if they don't talk to you about their feelings you are going to give up/break up/ not go out

  7. anonymous
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     Mar 12th 2014 !⃝

    When you feel like the nativity of love you have, that hope that they would give you that same effort, that willingness to make that same happiness, that same attention given, is the reason you feel like a fool, like you're nagging or kicking a fuss because you cared too much. When the uncertainty of love and the lack of effort shown, crumbles something inside, like a ripped wound.

    As a person, you feel you must make them show you, get them to tell you that they mean as much to you as you mean to them, because you can't take that imbalance, that un-fairness, you're wanting to be as loved.

    So you reach to them as far as you can, push them as far as you can, because you want an answer, an indication of where things stand, how they feel. You feel like an idiot because nothing feels as if It's reaching, and you apologize because it seems so silly, so foolish. So you make the biggest sacrifice to figure it out, using that same nativity as the fuel. At that stage, you feel you can't go back on your word, no matter how much, or how badly you want to. You're gambling on a tight rope, hoping that they would say the things, anything that could assure you of how they feel, because you know there's no turning back if they don't. The stage, where if they don't, you must make peace with that.

  8. anonymous
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     Mar 11th 2014 !⃝

    My interpretation is about the two people singing to each other. Obviously neither one had or has expressed their feelings. Neither one says something to the other about how they feel or felt. So they just go on never knowing. Its really a sad song. It's definitely not a song about taking chances. Without ever having expressed their feelings they let it go.

  9. anonymous
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     Mar 10th 2014 !⃝

    The song could be interpreted in many ways. A person;s interpretation is personal to whatever problem they are currently facing. The writers, who are also the singers (excluding Christina Aguilera), wrote the song about a break up but the lyrics are general for any difficult situation involving different people. They try to make things work and try to be happy but they just can't seem to make things better. They don't want to say goodbye, and the other person is given a second chance at "Say something I'm giving up on you" but the situation is too much for either of them. This song could be about a failing relationship, the lost of a loved one, tensions between broken families, and many other things. The song is open for interpretation but this is all I could come up with. Personally, I like the song without Christina, but she is significant with the singer's meaning of the song as she symbolizes the ghost of the lost loved one he is singing the song to (based on what the writer said himself).

  10. anonymous
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     Mar 8th 2014 !⃝

    It depends what the situation is.If someone you love is dying you have to let go of them because you can't do anything about it.If someone you've loved for a long time and they don't love you back you have to let go of that person.But most of all,it's meaning is if you love someone sometimes you have to walk away.

  11. anonymous
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     Mar 3rd 2014 !⃝

    I am not sure exactly what this is meant for, but the reason I love this song so much is that it can be anything any situation thats whats amazing to me. I love this song so much and the writer was incredibly amazing!!!!!

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  12. anonymous
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     Mar 2nd 2014 !⃝

    I believe this is a song about saving the world, how some don't know the real truth, and the ones that do feel so small that do feel like they can't change it individually. How we would've followed our country anywhere, until it turned its back. Say something referring to to speak up only we the people can make a real difference.... I also believe this is why the band is named A Great Big World. :-)

    -J

  13. anonymous
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     Feb 28th 2014 !⃝

    To me it's a song about loving someone and just never knowing how they feel about you. So because you never know the relationship just crumbles and you give up.

  14. anonymous
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     Feb 26th 2014 !⃝

    I love this song and it is sad in so many ways. I guess the lyrics are left to interpretation depending on what you are going thru at the moment you hear it. It is a powerful song!

  15. anonymous
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     Feb 25th 2014 !⃝

    An emotional mash-up lyrically (say somethingi'm giving up...) and hauntingly reinforced by the off-kilter syncopated meter that makes each line feel undone and the song itself (and the relationship) rationally ended but forever unover. Like that haunting love of your life not meant to be or ever unrequited. Saddest and most beautiful song ever may be.

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