Songs have always tackled thorny topics head-on like politics, social ills, and unpopular wars. However, Dan + Shay were concerned that their track about suicide prevention, "Say So," was too somber for their fans to handle.
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Per Variety, the song's inspiration was the tragic death of a major, well-regarded industry figure whom the pair knew. Ben Vaughn was the head of Warner Chappell Music Publishing. Sadly, he took his own life a little more than a year ago. The outlet calls it "a passing that is still deeply felt and mourned across many professional music circles." Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney were motivated to write the song, with David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins, in an effort to encourage people to seek help for mental crises and to know that people do care. Its commercial success is a lesser priority for them.
Although the subject of the song is intensely serious, the words are subtle and uplifting. The lyrics state in part, "I'll be there every time you call / Pick you up every time you fall / If you're going through hell, you're not alone / If you need somebody, say so...."
Dan Smyers Reflected on Ben Vaughn's Sad, Shocking Passing
Smyers solemnly shared that Ben Vaughn "was big part of our career and a close personal friend." He added that Vaughn's suicide "was one of those things where no one saw it coming. At least we didn't." In fact, Smyers praised him very highly. "He was such a big part of our career, as a friend and a believer and a champion."
How Their Song Came About
Per the outlet, Smyers and Mooney were hanging out with their friends David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins. They began musing about Ben Vaughn. Love songs are Dan + Shay's usual fare, so a song about suicide prevention was a big departure for them. Smyers said, "At the time we wrote it, we were like, 'I don't know, man. It's different than what we usually do. It's not a love song.' But it kind of is, I guess."
Mooney chimed in, "Dan hit the nail on the head. We were going back and forth asking, 'Man, is this song too heavy for Dan + Shay?' But I think people can look at us just as they see some of their friends and think, 'There's no way that they're going through something. They look like they're doing great.' That's just a sad reality of mental health, that no matter what it looks like on the outside, you never know what somebody's battling with on the inside."
Mooney also pointed out that even the most successful people may be having inner turmoil that they hide from friends and family. Commenting on "Say So," he added, "Obviously in the first verse it touches on Ben's story, and it is very heavy, but I think that the rest of this song really offers hope to people."
Having a Money-Making Hit With This Song Is Not Their Top Goal
Dan + Shay want to reassure people that there is help out there if they are in emotional distress. If the song soars to the top of the music charts, great, If not, they still sent a clear and important message to the public. According to Dan Smyers, "We think this song sounds like a hit and is commercial, but if it's not, if it flops, God forbid, it helps one person, if it saves one person's life, it was worth it."
