“Don’t Say” by Gabrielle Aplin
In the song “Don’t Say”, Gabrielle Aplin comes off as one of those types of individuals who knows she’s depressed but doesn’t want anyone going out of their way to intervene. That is to say that the vocalist has seemingly come to accept the fact that occasionally ‘beating up herself’ is an established, inescapable part of her personality.
Therefore, she does not want the addressee doing or saying anything loving in an attempt to break her out of this spell. Rather, the singer has obviously concluded that it is rather something she must do herself. Or put otherwise, she seems to be under the belief that whatever it is she’s going through isn’t such that kind words and petting can rectify.
Moreover, Gabrielle doesn’t want the addressee to come off as if he or she can solve the problem when in reality they can’t, i.e. biting off more than they can chew out of sympathy. The way the vocalist sees it, this person is someone who has a more-uplifting spirit than she does, the type which can’t help but try to intervene.
It’s almost as if, say, Aplin is friends with Oprah Winfrey. And Oprah, being who she is, would want to help a depressed friend, but Gabrielle feels she must get herself through this ordeal, even if doing so appears to be the longer, more-painful route.
What she does require from the addressee is his or her presence, that they “just be here”. So to reiterate, it’s as if the songstress is speaking to that phenomenon whereas a person is in their feelings but doesn’t want a loved one trying to get close to them.
Her reason in this case appears to be that she’d rather endure the discomfort and rightfully deal with it on her own than entertain annoyingly-sympathetic friends. And it may be that what Gabrielle is alluding to is the notion of psychological and emotional salvation, if you will, ultimately being in one’s own hands.
“Don’t be kind ’cause I can’t take it
I’m trying so hard not to break
There’s nothing anyone can say or do
And don’t you try to redirect me
To clear my mind, it’s not that easy
I can’t pull myself up just like you
‘Cause the only way out is through, mm
The only way out is through, mm”
Release of “Don’t Say”
This song is the last track on the playlist of Aplin’s fourth studio offering “Phosphorescent”. November 18 of 2022 is the official release date for this song.
Credits
Gabrielle composed this tune with assistance from its co-producer Liz Horsman. English record producer Mike Spencer contributed to the production of this track.
The “Phosphorescent” Album
“Phosphorescent”, which dropped in 2023, precedes Aplin’s 2020 project titled “Dear Happy”.
Some of the other notable songs on the “Phosphorescent” album include:
“Call Me”
