I got one one breath to give
I got one one second to live
Before I say what I've got to say
Before I break, it's gonna change everything

I got one one second to live
Before I say what I've got to say
Before I sing and I let out these words
You're gonna have to reach in the dark earth
It's gonna change everything

Heels on the highway, heels on the heart
It's gonna change everything
Playing on the player, fell so hard
It's gonna change everything

I got one one breath to give
I got one one breath to give
Before I say it, before I say it
Before I say it, oh

Heels on the highway, heels on the heart
It's gonna change everything
Play it on the player, here's to the dark
It's gonna change everything

Heels on the highway, fingers in the dark
It's gonna change everything


Lyrics submitted by smallwonderrobot, edited by JJKelsall

One Breath song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    The major part of the song is just the tension building as the narrator builds up the courage to say what it is they have to say, taking in a deep breath. The instrumental climax is a wonderful exhalation in which the words are spoken, but we don't hear what is said. I think the focus is more in the feeling of the release, so the words don't particularly matter. The beautiful orchestral arrangements of the strings kind of make it feel as though this release is positive, but those humming guitar lines in the background hint at a bit of darkness, perhaps suggesting that the narrator still fears that whatever they have said might not be taken well.

    JJKelsallon January 24, 2014   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.