Tell me girl what were you thinking?
Hit me with something that will make this worth my time
Take it back, take it all back now
Every promise I made was just another mistake with you

Tell the truth if you think that you can take it
But I know, you won't
I never felt so all alone
But when it was safe I turned my back and the blade came through

And I can barely breathe
And I can barely breathe
And I can barely breathe

Stand on top of the roof top wondering
Is it good? Yea it's good for jumping
Take back every word you said
'Cause I can barely breathe
(and I can barely breathe)

Tell me now can you still taste him?
'Cause you know you'll never wash your hands of this
Take it back, take it all back now
Every drunken kiss that landed on his lips from you

Make a move if you think that you can make it
But I know, you won't
I never felt so all alone
But when it was safe I turned my back and the blade came through

And I can barely breathe
And I can barely breathe
And I can barely breathe

Stand on top of the roof top wondering
Is it good? Yea it's good for jumping
Take back every word you said
'Cause I can barely breathe
(and I can barely breathe)

Stand on top of the roof top wondering
Is it good? Yea it's good for jumping
Take back every word you said
'Cause I can barely breathe
(and I can barely breathe)

Hold your tongue
You know nothing about this
Don't even get involved

I hope you watch as I'm falling down
Because you are the reason I'd hit the ground
You could be the one that breaks me
You will be the one that breaks me now

I hope you know that every tear you cried
Is a memory left from when you watch me die
You know I'll haunt your dreams
With all these pieces you stole of me
Of me

Stand on top of the roof top wondering
Is it good? Yea it's good for jumping
Take back every word you said
'Cause I can barely breathe
(and I can barely breathe)

Stand on top of the roof top wondering
Is it good? Yea it's good for jumping
Take back every word you said
'Cause I can barely breathe
(and I can barely breathe)


Lyrics submitted by disastrous

I Can Barely Breathe Lyrics as written by Dan Simons Andrew Meunier

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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I Can Barely Breathe song meanings
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    General Comment

    the lyrics and how the song came out is amazing it tells a story of how a slowly and eventaully dies because of someone he loved who didn't love him back and kept screwing things up.

    _andrewon February 12, 2006   Link

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