Verse 1
We gotta talk about things
We gotta do something different
Cause this isn't working, this isn't working
I don't, I don't know if I can do this
Riding 'round in the city, babe
I know you wish you could change me
Why you mad? Girl, why you angry?
Yeah, why you angry?
Back and forth, you love you hate me
Arguing about the same things
I don't, I don't know if I can do this
I don't, I don't know anymore, baby I don't know anymore
Hook
I wish you didn't say things, I wish you didn't say things
That you don't mean, that you don't mean
I wish you didn't say things, I wish you didn't say things
That you don't mean, that you don't mean
Verse 2
Yeah, I mean she wants somebody that's working a 9-5
I apologise but those ain't my hours, you ain't never been with a man
Who's working this kinda job, who works for this kind of drive, I wouldn't be with me either
Hold up, yeah I think that's work on the other line, I gotta go, we can argue some another time
Hand up the phone, I regret it right after
This is the chance that I couldn't just pass up
See I signed a deal, you say that I should've asked ya
I guess I was scared to see how you reacted
And maybe I knew I'd be selfish
These are the things I ain't proud of
I'm always the type to get jealous, there's always two sides to the story
And you're not the one that I blame when I tell it, that's real, yeah
You ain't the one, you ain't the one
I mean I should've manned up and that's hard to say as a man
The older I get the more I understand a relationship's more than just holding her hand
I'm sorry, you can blame me, yeah, you can blame me
Hook
I wish you didn't say things, I wish you didn't say things
That you don't mean, that you don't mean
I wish you didn't say things, I wish you didn't say things
That you don't mean, that you don't mean
Verse 3
What's going on?
I just wanna feel something, I just wanna feel something
There's too many things I'm tryna deal with
And I understand that you don't feel this
I said there's too many things I'm tryna deal with
And I understand I'm hurting your feelings
I know you don't feel this, yeah
I'm just expressing the way that I'm feeling
The things that I'm trying to deal with
I guess I've been trying to hold it all inside
But it's obvious that ain't working
Yeah it's obvious that ain't working
The only thing we got in common
Is that we got nothing in common, baby
Wish You Wouldn't
Wish You Wouldn't Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on April 22, 2016, the song "Wish You Wouldn't" offers a candid look into the internal and external conflicts within a struggling relationship. The lyrics immediately set a scene of tension and necessary confrontation, highlighting a relationship that is clearly under strain. The opening lines "We gotta talk about things, We gotta do something different, Cause this isn't working" establish the central problem, painting a picture of a couple trapped in a cycle of unproductive arguments and growing distance. The artist expresses profound uncertainty about the future of the relationship, feeling overwhelmed by the repetitive nature of their disagreements and his partner's reactions.
The core sentiment of the song is captured in the hook, which serves as a desperate plea against hurtful and insincere communication. Repeating the line "I wish you didn't say things, That you don't mean," the artist voices the pain caused by words spoken in the heat of the moment or without genuine feeling. This wish suggests a desire for honesty and restraint in conflict, recognizing that careless words can inflict lasting damage and exacerbate the existing problems. It highlights the breakdown in communication where words become weapons rather than tools for understanding.
The narrative expands in the second verse, introducing the specific challenges posed by the artist's career and lifestyle. He acknowledges the disparity between his non-traditional work hours and his partner's apparent desire for a more conventional life, admitting that his ambition and dedication might make him a difficult partner. The verse delves into specific instances of conflict, such as the decision to sign a deal without consulting his partner, revealing a fear of her reaction and a self-awareness of his own selfishness. Despite the external pressures, the artist takes responsibility for his actions and shortcomings, including jealousy and a lack of emotional maturity. He explicitly states that his partner is not to blame for the relationship's issues, recognizing that he needed to "man up" and understand that a relationship requires more than just physical presence. This verse showcases growth and introspection, albeit mixed with the ongoing struggle.
The final verse delves deeper into the artist's emotional state, expressing a sense of numbness and an overwhelming feeling of being burdened by internal struggles. He articulates the difficulty he faces in dealing with his own issues and acknowledges that his partner doesn't fully grasp the depth of his internal turmoil or the pain he is causing. The repetition of needing to deal with many things and expressing his feelings underscores a desperate attempt to communicate his inner world. The realization that holding back his emotions isn't working culminates in the stark conclusion that the couple lacks fundamental compatibility. This final point reinforces the earlier themes of misunderstanding and differing needs, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved pain and the sad acknowledgment of a widening gap between the two individuals.
