Every breaking wave on the shore
Tells the next one there'll be one more
And every gambler knows that to lose
Is what you're really there for

Summer I was fearless
Now I speak into an answer phone
Like every fallen leaf on the breeze
Winter wouldn't leave it alone
Alone

If you go
If you go your way and I go mine
Are we so
Are we so helpless against the tide
Baby, every dog on the street
Knows that we're in love with defeat
Are we ready to be swept off our feet
And stop chasing every breaking wave

Every sailor knows that the sea
Is a friend made enemy
And every shipwrecked soul knows what it is
To live without intimacy

I thought I heard the captain's voice
But it's hard to listen while you preach
Like every broken wave on the shore
This is as far as I could reach

If you go
If you go your way and I go mine
Are we so
Are we so helpless against the tide
Baby, every dog on the street
Knows that we're in love with defeat
Are we ready to be swept off our feet
And stop chasing every breaking wave

The sea knows where are the rocks
And drowning is no sin
You know where my heart is
The same place that yours has been
And we know that we fear to win
And so we end before we begin
Before we begin

If you go
If you go your way and I go mine
Are we so
Are we so helpless against the tide
Baby, every dog on the street
Knows that we're in love with defeat
Are we ready to be swept off our feet
And stop chasing every breaking wave


Lyrics submitted by Dr. D, edited by ctefel, rPriest

Every Breaking Wave Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Every Breaking Wave song meanings
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  • +8
    My Interpretation

    This song is about falling and/or being in love and being afraid to lose and get hurt. Love is all about taking risks. You're either all in or you're not. It's all or nothing. So most people either hesitate or simply avoid it all together. Most people will get into relationships that feel safe rather than take a chance with the someone that has the power to either make them the happiest they will ever be but who also has an extreme amount of potential of completely destroying them. Saying "every dog knows" means it's overly obvious. There's no denying it. You know that this particular specific love interest is absolute and that this is the one person. Knowing this, makes it even scarier because you are certain that you do without a doubt love this person above all and everything else but the uncertainty lies in whether or not this person will hurt you or vice versa. Sadly, for most it's better to not take that risk. Better to save yourself now than be left with a bleeding wound that could possibly drown (kill) you.

    nickeyslyricson November 18, 2014   Link

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