Tampa singer-songwriter Rich Allen delivers a powerful and emotionally raw performance in his new single “What Would I Say?”, released on May 2, 2025. Known for his soulful voice and deeply personal songwriting, Allen once again proves why he’s earned multiple nominations from the International Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA). With this ballad, he leans into themes of heartbreak, memory, and the quiet moments that often carry the heaviest emotional weight.
The track opens gently, with a tender instrumental backdrop that allows Allen’s voice to shine. His delivery is soft, yet deliberate, perfectly suited to the song’s central question: what would you say if you unexpectedly came face-to-face with the one who got away? The lyrics are rich with detail and hesitation, painting a cinematic picture of an internal dialogue that many listeners will find painfully familiar. “Would I stare at the ground / Would I stare at my shoes,” he sings, evoking the paralysing vulnerability of unresolved emotions.
“What Would I Say?” is a breakup song and a meditation on missed opportunities and emotional survival. The line “Through the embers, I learned to survive” suggests this is about mourning a lost love and honouring the journey through pain toward healing. There’s a sense of hope woven delicately into the fabric of the melody and an acknowledgement that even in silence, there is growth and possibility.
Produced with clarity and restraint, the track avoids overproduction in favour of intimacy. The sparse arrangement draws the listener in, echoing the quiet tension that comes with emotional reflection. Rich Allen doesn’t need grand orchestration to make an impact; the strength of this song lies in its quiet honesty and lyrical depth, qualities that set him apart in today’s singer-songwriter landscape.
In a world of fleeting pop hooks and surface-level emotion, “What Would I Say?” stands out for its sincerity and soul. Rich Allen has crafted a timeless piece that speaks to anyone who’s ever been haunted by the words they didn’t say. With his reputation growing and his artistry deepening, this release confirms that Allen is an emerging voice and one to remember.
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