They say, But I say

This prompt and explanation is paraphrased and directly quoted from a segment called "Measure by Measure" by David Alzofon in American Songwriter magazine.

Listen to Miranda Lambert's song "The House That Built Me," as she sings:

I know they say you can't go home again
I just had to come back one last time.

This is much like Shania Twain's song "You're Still the One":

They said, 'I bet they'll never make it'
But just look at us holding on

And what about this from another Miranda Lambert song, "Over You":

They say I'll be okay
But [I say] I'm not going to ever get over you 

This pattern of "They Say, But I Say" is evident in many different songs, in many different ways.
Yes, here is Miranda again in "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend";

[They say] Well those pretty girls can play their game
But [I say] they're damn well gonna know my name.

 And "Easy Living":
They say life's a bitch and then you die
But I can't see a reason for their point of view

And lest you think this is just a country female artist thing, consider the following:

From Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released':

They say every man must need protection
They say every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above the wall

And The Beatles "Baby It's You":

You should hear what they say about you, "cheat," "cheat."
They say, they say you never never never ever been true.
It doesn't matter what they say,
I know I'm gonna love you any old way. 

And our good old Dixie Chicks "Not Ready to Make Nice":

They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
 

Here is a direct quote from the article explaining this further:

"So what's really going on here? Is it just that conflict attracts attention? Yes, but what conflict?

Turns out to be a big one because on the left side of the comma stands the group, and on the right side of the comma stands the individual and that's the stuff that great art is made on.  Blow by blow, cliche by cliche, we square pegs get pounded into society's round holes. It's called "growing up." But we lose ourselves along the way. The innocent game of "They say, But I say" helps us remember our true feelings, and that's something audiences want to hear, because they, too, want to remember."

CREATIVE CHALLENGE

Write a poem, memoir, or fiction story employing the idea of the individual standing up to the "common wisdom" of society.  Bolster your "I say" part with images, metaphors, and similes that support your stand. This can be drawn from memory or imagination.

As a warm up, consider what you could answer on the right side of the following cliches:

They say you're no good for me, but I say...

They say love is blind, but I say...

They say time heals all wounds, but I say...

They say hope has died, but I say...

This simple exercise may plunge you deep into your own personal truth. Look for examples in your own personal life. Write it. Share!

Additional songs in the same type of structure:

"Quinn the Eskimo" by Bob Dylan

"Everybody's Talkin'" by Nilsson

"They Say" by Common

"On Broadway" by The Drifters

"Revolution" by The Beatles

"Jump They Say" by David Bowie

"Rag Doll" by the Four Seasons

Still need more inspiration? Check out "Like That's a Bad Thing" by Danny Gokey: