I break down in the middle and lose my thread
No one can understand a word that I say
When I break down just a little and lose my head
Nothing I try to do can work the same way

Any time it happens I'd get over it
With a little help from all my friends
Anybody else could see what's wrong with me
But they walk away and just pretend

When I break down

I break down in the middle and lose my thread
No one can understand a word that I say
When I break down just a little and lose my head
Nothing I try to do can work the same way

Where are all the friends who used to talk to me
All they ever told me was good news
People that I've never seen are kind to me
Is it any wonder I'm confused

When I break down
When I break down

Freedom, freedom, we will not obey
Freedom, freedom, take the wall away
Freedom, freedom, we will not obey
Freedom, freedom, take them all away

Where are all of my friends
My so called friends
Take the wall away
Take them all away
Will somebody here me?


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Breakdown Lyrics as written by Eric Woolfson Alan Parsons

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Breakdown song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    It is about mental illness- using the theme of the Album - I Robot, hence "breakdown".

    Mickyfinnon December 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    just think about the last 4 lines!

    fuckyou2on October 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I break down - has a double meaning for humans and machines. When a robot breaks down, it needs to depend on its human masters to repair them. When artificial intelligence is created and robots can mend each other and have forward thinking - and become dependent and don't need to rely on their human masters - the end is all to conceivable.

    theorganizon April 16, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    Great meaningful song.

    I agree it is about mental illness (depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.).

    I wonder though about the last 4 lines: "... Take them all away", would that refer to "all the friends who used to talk to me"?

    Julien99on September 12, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Its not "My so called friends" Its "I'm so confused"

    peter11701on January 24, 2023   Link

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