Meaning of "You Say" by Vertical Horizon

The lyrics of "You Say" delve into the feelings of isolation and longing that can arise from miscommunication and feeling unheard. The opening lines, "Here in the light, It burns you up inside, Here in the shell of a sun, We echo on," set the tone for the song, painting a picture of a lonely, empty existence. The repetition of "Here" emphasizes the sense of being trapped and unable to escape. The chorus, with its questioning and repetition, reflects the frustration of miscommunication and the desperate need for clarity. The lines, "It helps you out, Knowing I'm left out, Locked in a box with a light, That won't shine, Turn it on and wait for, Someone to come," convey the sense of being ignored and the yearning for connection and acknowledgement. The narrator feels like they are being kept in the dark, symbolized by the "box with a light that won't shine," and they are left waiting for someone to notice and acknowledge them. The repetition of the word "waiting" highlights the sense of longing and impatience. The final lines, "Left alone forever, All alone together," encapsulate the paradoxical feeling of being surrounded by others yet still feeling completely isolated. The fading chorus suggests a resignation to this state of being, as if the narrator has accepted that their longing for connection may never be fulfilled.