Say It – English Lyrics

• By: Rihanna
• Album: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Rihanna's 2007 R&B track, "Say It," a song that beautifully captures the delicate dance of unspoken romantic tension. The lyrics, driven by a smooth groove, offer a window into communicating vulnerability—an essential aspect of any language, including the universal language of love and desire, urging you to listen closely to what is being asked and what is left unsaid.

[English]

You should tell me what's buggin' you

And I'mma tell ya bout me

You should tell me your deepest thoughts

And I'mma make it easy

You should tell me what's bugging you

And I'mma tell ya bout me

You should tell me your deepest thoughts

And I'mma make it easy

Emotions running wild

I could feel it when I'm next to you

Something's on ya mind

You wanna stay but won't tell me

Its about ya secrecy

So what are you tryna hide?

I know what the look means

You hold my hand so tightly

Whenever we say goodbye

Standing by the door

I could tell you can't take, no more

Blow your secret open wide

So maybe if you say it

Tell me what it is you like (like)

Baby, baby don't be shy (shy)

Maybe you can spend the night (ni-i-ight)

If you say it

But if you playin' (oh baby)

'Cause you know what I wanna hear (hear)

Say it, that'll make it more clear (clear)

I need to know how you feel

So baby why won't you (say it), say it (say it)

Won't, won't you tell me

What, what's going on

Why, why you waiting on it

What you're waiting for?

Soon you should tell me or I might be gone

But I'm here for you, baby

You should put me on

I won't shoot you down

Make you feel some kinda way

If you'll be honest with me

Put away your pride

I can see it in your face

You want me permanently (uh)

Like how I wine when we dancing

I know how it happened

And I'm right there with you

But I won't be the first to put myself out there

The feeling is mutual

But I bet if you

Say it

Tell me what it is you like (like)

Baby, baby don't be shy (shy)

Maybe you can spend the night (ni-i-ight)

If you say it

But if you playing (oh baby)

'Cause you know what I wanna hear (hear)

Say it, that'll make it more clear (clear)

I need to know how you feel

So baby, why won't you (say it), say it (say it)

Your eyes steady talking

And your tryna fight it

But some things baby are not worth hiding

And we can find heaven

If we go look together

So won't, won't you tell me

And get it off your chest

Your eyes steady talking

And your tryna fight it

But some things baby are not worth hiding

And we can find heaven

If we go look together

So won't, won't you tell me

And get it off your chest

So maybe if you say it (sa-ay)

Tell me what it is you like (what it is you like)

Baby, baby dont be shy (shy)

Maybe you can spend the night (ni-i-ight)

If you say it

But if you playing (oh baby)

'Cause you know what I wanna hear (you know what I wanna hear) (hear)

Say it, that'll make it more clear (so boy say it loud and clear)

I need to know how you feel

So baby why won't you (say it), say it (say it)

Your eyes steady talking

And your tryna fight it

But some things baby, are not worth hiding

And we can find heaven

If we go look together

So won't, won't you tell me

And get it off your chest

Your eyes steady talking

And your tryna fight it

But some things baby, are not worth hiding

And we can find heaven

If we go look together

So won't, won't you tell me

And get it off your chest

Say it

Tell me what it is you like (like)

Baby, baby don't be shy (shy)

Maybe you can spend the night

If you say it

But if you playing (oh baby)

'Cause you know what I wanna hear (hear)

Say it, that'll make it more clear (clear)

I need to know how you feel

So baby why wont you (say it), say it (say it)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
tell /tel/ A1	verb - to communicate information
bugging /ˈbʌɡɪŋ/ B2	verb - annoying
thoughts /θɔːts/ B1	noun - an idea or opinion produced by thinking
easy /ˈiːzi/ A1	adjective - achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties
emotions /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/ B1	noun - a strong feeling
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1	verb - moving at a fast pace on foot
wild /waɪld/ B1	adjective - living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness
hide /haɪd/ A2	verb - to conceal from sight; prevent from being seen or discovered
look /lʊk/ A1	noun - an expression on someone's face
tightly /ˈtaɪtli/ B1	adverb - in a firm or secure way
secret /ˈsiːkrət/ A2	noun - something kept hidden or unexplained
shy /ʃaɪ/ A2	adjective - being reserved or having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people
hear /hɪər/ A1	verb - perceive with the ear the sound
clear /klɪər/ A2	adjective - easy to perceive, understand, or interpret
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - be aware of (something) through physical sensation; perceive or experience
waiting /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ A1	verb - staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or event
gone /ɡɔːn/ A1	adjective - having gone away; departed
honest /ˈɒnɪst/ B1	adjective - free of deceit; truthful and sincere
pride /praɪd/ B1	noun - a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of one's close associates, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired
dancing /ˈdænsɪŋ/ A1	verb - moving rhythmically to music
mutual /ˈmjuːtʃuəl/ B2	adjective - experienced or done by each of two or more parties toward the other
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - take part in a violent struggle involving the use of physical force or weapons
hiding /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/ A2	verb - keeping something secret; concealing something
heaven /ˈhevən/ B1	noun - a place of supreme bliss and delight

Key Grammar Structures

• You should tell me what's buggin' you

  ➔ Modal verb "should" for advice/suggestion.

  ➔ "Should" expresses a recommendation or mild obligation. Here, it advises the other person to share their problem.

• And I'mma tell ya bout me

  ➔ Contraction "I'mma" (I'm going to). Informal language.

  ➔ "I'mma" is a very informal contraction of "I'm going to," indicating a future action. "ya" is informal for "you"

• Emotions running wild

  ➔ Present participle "running" acting as an adjective describing "emotions".

  ➔ The phrase uses the present participle to vividly portray the state of the emotions, implying they are out of control.

• Its about ya secrecy

  ➔ Incorrect possessive "its" (should be "it's" or "It is"). "ya" is informal for "your"

  ➔ The lyrics intentionally use incorrect grammar for stylistic effect. "Its" (without an apostrophe) is a possessive pronoun, but here it should be "it's" which is a contraction of "it is". And ya means your

• I know what the look means

  ➔ Noun clause "what the look means" as the object of the verb "know".

  ➔ The clause functions as a noun, indicating the speaker understands the unspoken message.

• I could tell you can't take, no more

  ➔ Use of "can't take no more" (double negative). Non-standard English. Modal verb "could".

  ➔ In standard English, it would be "can't take any more" or "can take no more". "Could" indicates a possibility or a polite suggestion.

• Maybe you can spend the night

  ➔ Modal verb "can" expressing possibility. Use of "maybe" as an adverb of possibility.

  ➔ "Maybe" indicates uncertainty, while "can" suggests the option is available if certain conditions are met (saying it).

• Cause you know what I wanna hear

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction "cause" (informal for "because"). Noun clause "what I wanna hear" as object of the verb "know". "Wanna" is informal for "want to".

  ➔ "Cause" is used in place of "because" for stylistic effect, and "wanna" is a colloquial contraction of "want to." The noun clause specifies the thing the speaker believes the listener is aware of.