For many Swifts, the best part of Taylor Swift's remastered album is her "From the Vault" track. From a devastating 10-minute version of "All Too Well" to the breakup-bop style "Mr." Perfectly Fine,” the previously unreleased song provides listeners with new context about Swift’s life years ago.
Yet even after setting the bar so high, there's reason to be extra excited about 1989's (Taylor's version) Vault track — because, well, Swift herself said so.
"Honestly, this is my favorite re-recording I've ever done because the 5 tracks on From The Vault are so crazy," Swift wrote in an August 10 Instagram post. "I can't believe they're being left behind."
haven't seen you for a long time
One of the funniest resurrection songs from Swift's most popular era is "Say Don't Go." Swift actually co-wrote the song with prolific songwriter Diane Warren.
While most of Swift's hits have been a surprise to fans, this collaboration was actually teased a long time ago. Like, even before the original 1989 came out.
In a January 2014 interview, Warren told Billboard that she collaborated with Swift on a "great song," adding that she was "excited" about the song that was "really cool." However, when it was released later in 1989 , Swift's collaboration with Warren was never seen again.
Fans have long lamented what might have happened, with one user on Reddit writing in 2016 that "we may never hear about it" and that it was a "huge shame."
Well...surprise! Now that the duo's work has finally seen the light of day, here's a detailed breakdown of the lyrics to "Say Don't Go."
What does "say not to go" mean?
Swift drew attention to the song's chorus upon its release, speculating that "Say Don't Go" might be about a couple where the lead character (Swift) isn't ready to give up on their relationship , but unfortunately their partners have already checked out.
"Why do you have to lead me? / Why do you have to twist the knife? / Go away and let me bleed," Swift sings on the chorus. "Now your silence makes me scream, scream / (Say) say, "(Don't) don't (go) away" / If you (say) say, "(Don't) don't, I'll stay forever" No ( Go) go.”
As with other 1989 Vault tracks, some fans believe the song may refer to Swift's ex-boyfriend Harry Styles, whom she dated before the original 1989 writing sessions in 2013.
"Say Don't Go" Lyrics
I knew it from the beginning
We are a shot in the darkest darkness
Oh no, oh no, I'm unarmed
Waiting is a kind of sadness
gradually descending into madness
Oh no, oh no, won't stop
I'm standing alone on a tight rope
I hold my breath a little longer
The door is halfway there, but it can't be closed.
i have hope for you
Say "Don't go"
If you say "don't go" I'll stay forever
Why must you guide me?
Why do you have to twist the knife?
Go away and leave me bleeding, bleeding?
why you whisper in the dark
Just to leave me behind at night?
Now your silence makes me scream, scream
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
If you I would stay forever
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
(Say, say, say, say)
Now I'm pacing on shaky ground
Strike a match and blow it out
Oh no, oh no, that's not fair'
Because when you kissed me, time stopped
I'm yours, but you don't belong to me
Oh no, oh no, you're not here
I'm standing alone on the sidewalk
I'll wait for you to drive by
I want to see the cards you won't show
I'm folding unless you
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
If you I would stay forever
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
Why must you guide me?
Why do you have to twist the knife?
Go away and leave me bleeding, bleeding?
why you whisper in the dark
Just to leave me behind at night?
Now your silence makes me scream, scream
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
If you I would stay forever
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
(Say, say, say, say)
Why you must (Why you must)
Make me want you (Make me want you)?
Why you must (Why you must)
Don't give me anything in return?
Why you must (Why you must)
Let me love you (let me love you)?
I said, "I love you" (I said, "I love you")
you don't say anything
Why must you guide me?
Why do you have to twist the knife?
Go away and leave me bleeding, bleeding?
why you whisper in the dark
Just to leave me behind at night?
Now your silence makes me scream, scream
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
If you I would stay forever
(to say) to say
"(Don't) Don't
(Go) go”
(Say, say, say, say)
But you won't, but you won't, but you won't
If you say "don't go" I'll stay forever
But you won't, but you won't, but you won't
