Say It

"Say It" by Tory Lanez is a multi-layered song that primarily explores the themes of desire, emotional validation, and the complexities of relationships in the context of wealth and fame. At its core, the song is a direct and confident plea from Lanez to a woman he's infatuated with, urging her to move beyond flirtation and explicitly declare her genuine feelings for him. He questions the authenticity of her attraction, openly acknowledging that his luxurious lifestyle might be a primary motivator for her interest. The lyric, "You wouldn't want a young nigga if I wasn't whippin' this foreign," sets this tone from the outset, highlighting a suspicion that she might be a "gold-digger." However, the song is not just an accusation; it's also a challenge. Lanez demands more than just words ("You gon' have to do more than just say it"), asking for actions that prove her affection is sincere. This reflects a deeper yearning for a real connection amidst the potential superficiality that comes with his status. The repeated and insistent hook, built around the Brownstone sample "If you love me, say it," functions as the song's central thesis: a demand for clear, unambiguous communication and emotional honesty.

The song's narrative unfolds from the perspective of a confident man, Tory Lanez, addressing a woman he deeply desires. He begins with a starkly honest admission, suggesting that his affluent lifestyle, symbolized by his expensive foreign car, is a significant part of her attraction to him. He doesn't shy away from this reality but uses it as a starting point for a deeper conversation. He's aware of the superficial allure but craves something more genuine beneath the surface. He challenges her, stating that simply saying she's interested isn't enough; her actions need to prove her feelings are real and not just tied to his material possessions. He asks her to do more than just vocalize her feelings and to do less of the performative flirting that feels disingenuous.

Throughout the song, he describes the intense physical and emotional connection he feels with her. He's captivated by her presence and her effect on him, acknowledging that he's been thinking about her constantly. He knows she's been 'on it'—meaning interested—but he has been keeping his own feelings more private, on the 'low'. Now, he's ready to be direct. He invites her into a more serious and committed space, asking her to let go of any hesitations. The central plea is a repeated and powerful demand: 'Say it'. This isn't just a request for words, but for a clear, unambiguous declaration of her feelings for him, mirroring the directness of the Brownstone sample that forms the song's backbone.

He recognizes that their connection might not be entirely 'right' in a conventional sense, perhaps implying she might be in another relationship or that their dynamic is complicated by his fame. Despite this, his desire is unwavering. He enjoys their physical intimacy, describing it with a sensual tone, but he promises her the truth, seeking that same honesty in return. The song concludes with this lingering challenge for her to 'say it, baby, do it, baby, show it, baby, prove it, baby'. It's a final, powerful appeal for her to bridge the gap between flirtatious interest and genuine love, to prove that her affection is for him as a person, not just for the lifestyle he represents.

"Say It" was officially released on July 15, 2015, as the debut single for Canadian artist Tory Lanez, serving as the lead single for his debut studio album, I Told You (2016). The track was released through producers Benny Blanco's Mad Love Records and Interscope Records. The song was recorded in 2015 and was also part of Lanez's "Fargo Fridays" series, where he would release new music periodically. The production was handled by a team including Andrew "Pop" Wansel and Toro. A pivotal element of the song's creation is its prominent sample of the 1994 hit "If You Love Me" by the American R&B trio Brownstone. This sample is not just a background element but forms the core hook and thematic foundation of the track. Tory Lanez reportedly reached out to Brownstone member Nicci Gilbert to get her blessing for the sample, an act she appreciated. Gilbert later expressed her love for Lanez's modern interpretation of their classic song. The song's accompanying music video was released on August 10, 2015, and features former Vine star Wolf Tyla.

The rhythmic foundation of "Say It" is rooted in contemporary R&B and hip-hop, with a slow, deliberate tempo that creates a sensual and persuasive mood. The beat is minimalist, driven by a prominent, deep bassline and sparse percussion, allowing the vocals and the Brownstone sample to take center stage. The song's rhythm has been described as having a "smoldering quality" and a feeling of floating, perfect for late-night driving. Lyrically, Tory Lanez employs a conversational flow in his rap verses, using a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme that prioritizes clarity and directness over complex patterns. The interplay between his vocal rhythm and the underlying beat is seamless, with his delivery sometimes falling slightly behind the beat, enhancing the track's laid-back, confident vibe. The chorus, borrowing its rhythm and melody directly from the "If You Love Me" sample, provides a memorable and melodic anchor that contrasts with the more free-flowing verses.

"Say It" showcases Tory Lanez's signature "Swavey" style, which fuses multiple genres, primarily R&B and hip-hop. His vocal performance is a key stylistic feature, fluidly moving between smooth, melodic singing and confident, rhythmic rapping. The production, led by Pop Wansel, is notable for its minimalist and atmospheric quality, characterized by a deep bassline and ethereal keyboard sounds. The most prominent technique is the masterful use of the sample from Brownstone's "If You Love Me." The sample is not merely interpolated but serves as the song's central hook, creating a direct dialogue between the '90s R&B classic and Lanez's contemporary perspective. This creates a nostalgic yet modern texture. The call-and-response structure in the chorus, where Lanez's lines are answered by the sampled vocals, enhances the song's conversational and persuasive feel. The manipulation of Lanez's voice on the chorus adds to the track's gauzy, atmospheric sound.

"Say It" was a breakout single for Tory Lanez, significantly boosting his popularity and establishing him as a prominent figure in the R&B and hip-hop scenes. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming his debut entry. Its clever and effective sampling of Brownstone's "If You Love Me" was widely praised and is often cited as a prime example of modern artists successfully revitalizing '90s R&B hits. The song's popularity led to numerous covers and remixes by other notable artists, including Ed Sheeran, Sevyn Streeter, and Fifth Harmony's Normani, further cementing its place in the musical landscape of the mid-2010s. The track received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its infectious style and production. The song's success was a key factor in the positive reception and commercial performance of his debut album, I Told You, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.

The most significant symbolic element in "Say It" is the act of speaking itself, encapsulated in the titular phrase. The demand to "say it" symbolizes the need for clarity, commitment, and emotional honesty in a relationship potentially clouded by materialism. It's a metaphor for cutting through ambiguity and performance to get to a genuine emotional truth. The "foreign" car mentioned in the intro is a direct symbol of wealth, status, and the superficial attractions Lanez fears are motivating the woman he desires. It represents the lifestyle and material possessions that he suspects she's drawn to, creating a central conflict between material desire and authentic love. Lanez's request for her to do "less when you do it" can be interpreted as a plea for less performative, flirty behavior and more genuine, heartfelt actions, contrasting the symbolism of empty gestures with the desired substance of true affection.

The most dominant recurring motif in "Say It" is the titular phrase itself, directly sampled from Brownstone's "If You Love Me." The line "You gon' have to do more than just say it" and its variations serve as the song's central thesis, repeated throughout the chorus to emphasize the theme of needing actions to validate words. This phrase acts as a persistent challenge to his love interest. Another key recurring phrase is "let a young nigga know," which reinforces his demand for clarity and honesty. The imagery of the "foreign" car is a recurring motif representing wealth and the potential for a superficial relationship, brought up at the beginning to frame the song's central conflict. The repetition of these core phrases and motifs makes the song's message insistent and memorable, structuring the entire narrative around this plea for genuine emotional confession.