It’s a long way to the top for an emotional piano ballad. Though Say Something was first released on songwriter Ian Axel’s solo album nearly three years ago, it didn’t really take off until last November, when Christina Aguilera lent her voice and star to a version Axel’s new band, A Great Big World, had recorded. From there, though, it has climbed into the Top 5 of Billboard’s charts, threatening to finally replace Coldplay’s The Scientist as the super sad song that network dramas use over closing montages. But what is the something they’re really trying to say? The Post’s David Berry investigates.

Reading suggestion: Listen to A Great Big World’s hit Say Something below, then scroll down to follow along with the lyrics. We’ve also put together a playlist of songs that fit in with Say Something – in this case, songs about being dumped. Enjoy!