Hey, What You Trying to Say

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with a relationship where communication feels deliberately obscured. The repeated question, "Hey, what you trying to say?" sets a tone of frustrated inquiry, as if the speaker is trying to decipher hidden meanings or unspoken truths. There's a sense of past struggles, referred to as "giants that I've left behind," which the speaker asserts will no longer hold power over them, suggesting a personal growth or a determined stance against being undermined. The core tension lies in the disconnect between what is said and what is perceived, particularly through the other person's eyes. The chorus offers a glimmer of hope, stating "Stars remind you you see the best in the dark," implying that despite the confusion, there's an underlying positive perception or attraction. However, this is immediately undercut by the bridge, where the speaker admits, "Everything I hear / Will always let me down." This reveals a deep-seated disappointment with spoken words, suggesting a pattern of broken promises or insincere declarations that erode trust. The craft here hinges on the contrast between the hopeful imagery of stars and eyes, and the harsh reality of spoken words failing to deliver. The repetition of "what you trying to say" and "what you trying to mend" emphasizes the speaker's persistent effort to understand, while the bridge's blunt declaration that "Promises and words / Will always let me down" serves as a stark, almost weary, conclusion to this communication breakdown. The lyrics suggest that while the speaker can see potential or beauty in the other person, the actual verbal exchange consistently leads to disappointment, creating an emotional stalemate.