The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Memories consume like opening the wounds
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more than any time before
I have no options left again
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more than any time before
I have no options left again
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Lyrics submitted by ruben, edited by darkforce100
Breaking the Habit Lyrics as written by Chester Charles Bennington Brad Delson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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to me, this song is about suicide. he has to deal with his past, he's confused about where his life's going, and the problems he has now, and he feels he's ruined his life already by lying to people about all these things, and he no longer really knows who he is, so he "breaks the habit", the habit being his life, ending the pain that hes felt for such a long time. so, thats just what it means to me. this and "numb" are my favorite songs on the album. btw, meteora is an ok album, but it, by no means, comes close to the mastery of the first album :D
I think it's quite sad that kids these days feel the need to hurt themselves. I mean sure it makes you feel like you may be feeling better but in reality you're just trying to fit in with the rest and show other people that you're a depressed, overly emotional little douche.
Sometimes, the only thing keeping these kids alive is that. Have you ever thought of that? Don't judge what you don't know. It shows how unintelligent you are.
Your wrong teens don't do that to fit in some teens do that because they feel as if they can't control any part of their life. This is the one thing they believe they can control. Others do it because their emotional pain is to much to bear and they need a physical outlet. These teens have alot of problems, both emotionally and mentally alright I will admit to that, but you cant go around judging people like that. Oh and by the way, it's about borderline personality disorder.<br />
you know what, kahrex1, it IS sad that people feel the need to hurt themselves. but, that doesn't make them an "overly emotional little douche". maybe that's the only thing that feels right in their lives. maybe that's how they deal with their problems. And, did it ever occur to you that judgemental people like you are the ones who drive them to be like that?
@Chipmunk777 God damn you're right rip Chester Bennington