Zak Abel explained the background of the song during an interview for RWD Magazine:
I’m a huge fan of Kaytranada’s music. When he followed me back out of the blue on Twitter, I thought I would chance it and ask if he wanted to work together. To my surprise, he said sure. He then sent me some beats...
[Verse 1]
Probably 'cross the ocean, maybe out at sea
I just wanna know you're still with me
Somewhere on a jet plane, smilin' or asleep
I've been waiting oh so patiently
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't wanna hold you back, no
I don't wanna keep you down
I just wanna know we're both on solid ground
You ain't gotta paint a picture
I just wanna hear a sound
I just wanna know you're good, girl
[Chorus]
Darling won't you say something?
Say something
Darling won't you say something?
Say something
Won't you say something?
[Verse 2]
Head is in the clouds now, shooting through the sky
What is to become of you and I?
Going through the motion, waiting for a sign
I just need to know that you're alright
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't wanna hold you back, no
I don't wanna keep you down
I just wanna know we're both on solid ground
You ain't gotta paint a picture
I just wanna hear a sound
I just wanna know you're good, girl
[Chorus]
Darling won't you say something?
(Say it to me)
Say something
(Tell me what you need)
Darling won't you say something?
(Say it to me)
Say something
(Tell me what you need)
Standing in the hallway
I've been losing sleep
Are you slipping through my fingers?
Need to hear you speak
Darling won't you say something?
(Say it to me)
Say something
[Bridge]
Oh don't you go nowhere
Oh don't you go nowhere, go nowhere
Just say something (say something)
Just say something (say something)
Darling won't you say something? (say something)
Just say something (say something)
I've been losing sleep
Are you slipping through my fingers?
Need to hear you speak
Just say something
(Say it to me, tell me what you need, boy)
[Outro]
Tell me what you need, boy
Say Sumthin was written by Zak Abel.
Say Sumthin was produced by KAYTRANADA.
Zak Abel released Say Sumthin on Fri Aug 28 2015.