Story Behind The Song

This song is actually based on my own personal journey through falling in love. Twice, early on in our relationship, I accidentally almost said the dreaded phrase, "I love you." The first time, we were on the phone and just as I was about to hang up, I said "I lo...I'll talk to you later!" And hung up abrupty, confused as to why I almost said it, but dismissing it's meaning. Then, just a few weeks later, we rode the subway together but got off at different stops. I got off before him and as I walked off the train I shouted, "Bye! I loo...I'll see you later!" I then freaked out and called a close friend asking if these two failed attempts meant that I did in fact actually LOVE him. After much thought, I decided that I did indeed love him and that I needed to let him know, even if I beat him to the punch. So one day I was about to run out to meet a friend for work and as I was leaving I said, "Hey, so there's something I need to tell you, but I don't want you to feel like you have to say it back to me, so I ...uh...yeah, so I love you. Okay, bye!" And I ran out the door before he could even have a response. But, naturally, I left my driving directions and had to shamefully knock on the door and face him again. He opened the door immediately, smiled, handed me the directions and said very grounded, "By the way, I love you too." To which I responded, "You do??" Then we kissed, I ran out the door late for work, and in two months from now we will be married!

Song Description

I Gotta Say is about coming-to-terms with all of the new feelings and pressures that realizing "love" brings to a relationship. Then, once love is recognized as being the cause of these wild emotions, actually saying "I love you" becomes a whole new challenge. There are failed attempts, quirky misfires and finally, a sweet and honest admittance.