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,
If melody is my destiny
Then what's left of me, I'll give to you
And if next to me, is all that you need to be
Would you settle for fantasy if it's the best you could do?
PRE-CHORUS
Can I have my cake?
Can I have you too?
Would you follow me?
Could I ask you to?
CHORUS
Would the world between us break these ties?
We worked so hard to realize
Can a postcard say what I see in your eyes?
Could I ever break away?
Would I be satisfied and find peace inside
Rolling half my life over broken white lines?
PRE-CHORUS
Can I have my cake?
Can I have you too?
Would you follow me?
Could I ask you to?
Will I wake up one morning and see your face
And the streaks on the window that the rainstorm makes?
Could you bear all the waiting and the strength that it takes?
Could I ever break away? Could I ever break away?
PRE-CHORUS
Can I have my cake?
Can I have you too?
Would you follow me?
Could I ask you to?
CHORUS
Would the world between us break these ties?
We worked so hard to realize
Can a postcard say what I see in your eyes?
Could I ever break away? Could I ever break away?
Away, away, oh yeah
Then what's left of me, I'll give to you
And if next to me, is all that you need to be
Would you settle for fantasy if it's the best you could do?
PRE-CHORUS
Can I have my cake?
Can I have you too?
Would you follow me?
Could I ask you to?
CHORUS
Would the world between us break these ties?
We worked so hard to realize
Can a postcard say what I see in your eyes?
Could I ever break away?
Would I be satisfied and find peace inside
Rolling half my life over broken white lines?
PRE-CHORUS
Can I have my cake?
Can I have you too?
Would you follow me?
Could I ask you to?
Will I wake up one morning and see your face
And the streaks on the window that the rainstorm makes?
Could you bear all the waiting and the strength that it takes?
Could I ever break away? Could I ever break away?
PRE-CHORUS
Can I have my cake?
Can I have you too?
Would you follow me?
Could I ask you to?
CHORUS
Would the world between us break these ties?
We worked so hard to realize
Can a postcard say what I see in your eyes?
Could I ever break away? Could I ever break away?
Away, away, oh yeah
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Hello to anyone reading this. I randomly came across this site while Googleing my name (yes, it's vanity at it's greatest.) Anyway, I just wanted to clear the air on this subject. The song Breakaway was a co-write between myself and John Mayer. The song was written in the spring of 1998 in Boston, MA. There are several known recordings of this song. One is a pseudo-studio version that I did, complete with a cheesy drum loop. This demo somehow made it to Napster, and into your hard drive. There is another version of John playing it live. I like this one because he plays the guitar part in a sort of Hendrix-y fashion. The third recording that I know of was done by my band Wisechild (wisechild.net) on our record "Firstborn." I enjoy reading everyone's interpretation of this song. You all have great ideas on what the song could be about. Thanks for listening and don't ever stop.
Regards,
Matt Mangano (bassist, guitarist, producer)
I don't know what is up with this song, it is just an amazing song. The lyrics are awesome, and the acoustic guitar on this song is ever better!
this is such a beautiful song. i love it, i cant wait to see john in july.
I love this song! Especially, when he sings about having his cake and wanting to have her too. I think every girl would melt to hear a guy say that. At least I would.. :)
i think this song is about how he has to go .. somewhere?.. and hes torn between being with her.. or having his "cake" it might have something to do with going on tour ... maybe. but im not sure. he wants what hes been working so hard for, but he wants her too. "can a postcard say what i see in your eyes" is like whatever they could write back and forth wouldnt do justice to the love he sees in her eyes. "would I be satisfied and find peace inside rolling half my life over broken white lines" hes not sure if he will be satisfied with going (im guessing) on tour and the "broken white lines" are those on the road. its a great song about being torn between love and success. johns amazing and always will be :)
He seems to want the best of both worlds and in this case he might get it because he loves her so much. It kind of reminds me of my boyfriend when he wanted to go back hom to Chicago, he wanted to go but he wanted me too.
I would just like to understand what the "break away" phrase is saying. I think that this song is about reassurance. He loves her and wants her but is still not sure exactly how she feels or what she wants. I can see the points about him wanting two things or what not. That is a good interpretation of this song, I just feel like there is a little more depth. It seems to me that John Mayer is always standing back, and is being put on the back burner by these girls... "Can I have my cake, can I have you too?" Maybe she is jealous or selfish. I feel like it's in close relation to "Man on the Side".. Maybe it was written for the same person....
With reference to having the world between then, to me, it seems like this song is about a guy who is always on the go, but there is a girl at home that he really likes. So when he talks about having his cake and having the girl too... kinda seems like he wants to be on the road (maybe on tour?) but having a girl at home waiting for him. I dunno. maybe I'm just trying to apply that to my own life. sigh. to be in love with the muscian...
Can I have my cake? Can I have you too?
That's all anybody every wants, huh?
I'm sorry, Kids, but I honestly do not think that John mayer sang this... I could be wrong, maybe its him playing guitar and singing.... or maybe just playing. It's pretty... but I don't think it's him... too airy