Say It Ain't So: Difference between revisions

The song climaxes in the bridge where Rivers sings a letter to his biological father.  In the letter, Rivers begins by explaining that he is writing despite, "Years of silence."  Rivers knew very little about what his father was doing, but he did mention some of what he was aware of in lines like, "You've cleaned up, found Jesus, things are good (or so I hear)."  Then, Rivers explains why he is writing; "This bottle of Stephen's awakens ancient feelings."  Finally, Rivers expresses his pain; Just like his real father drinking and leaving, he is beginning to realize that his step-father is no different and soon too will leave.  Before entering the guitar solo, Rivers yells out that he is "drowning in the flood," which is symbolic of the exploding alcohol bottle/Kitts' family structure.

Musically, "Say It Ain't So" features a reggae-ish beat under the verse vocals, which are doubled by bassist [[Matt Sharp]] in falsetto.  When the chorus kicks in, a big, start-stop guitar riff mimicks the beat, and for the second and third choruses, a brief harmony guitar part fills the spaces between the main riff.  The guitar solo features a layered sound, much in the style of Queen guitarist Brian May, whom Rivers had expressed an affinity for.