Who said versus who says?

[sebayanpendam]

Hi,

Why the songwriter used the simple present tense of 'says' instead of said?

Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting -- Selena Gomez.


In another song, 'said' is used.

Who said, who said
I can't be Superman? -- Hanna Montana.

Could someone please explain the difference?

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

As we so often say, you cannot attempt to analyse song lyrics in terms of the grammar of standard English. You can't get no satisfaction from trying.

 

[sebayanpendam]

Take this as example,

1) Who said that man was an evolution of apes?

Or

2) Who says that communism is a form of totalitarian when ideally, it seeks to maintain equality among its members?

 

[bhaisahab]

Take this as example,

1) Who said that man was an evolution of apes?

Or

2) Who says that communism is a form of totalitarian when ideally, it seeks to maintain equality among its members?

Both of those sentences are incorrect.

 

[sebayanpendam]

Both of those sentences are incorrect.

How would you write them so they become correct? Incidentally, both 'who says' and 'who said' are acceptable, I guess.

 

[SoothingDave]

The present tense is used here to indicate a habitual action.

 

[sebayanpendam]

The present tense is used here to indicate a habitual action.

I guess when someone says, 'Who says I'm fat?' means she thinks that someone may keep telling others that she is fat until she gets slim. Compare with 'Who said I'm fat?'which indicates that the remark on her being fat was done once in the past.