So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
I'm still alive but I'm barely breathin'
Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in
'Cause I got time while she got freedom
'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even
Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that's gonna put her first
While I'm wide awake, she's no trouble sleepin'
'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even, even, no
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're okay?
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces
They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleedin'
'Cause she's moved on while I'm still grievin'
And when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even, even, no
And what am I going to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're okay?
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces
(One still in love while the other one's leavin')
I'm fallin' to pieces
('Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even)
Oh, you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I'm tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
'Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name
I'm still alive but I'm barely breathin'
Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in
'Cause I got time while she got freedom
'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break
No, it don't break, no, it don't break even, no
What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're okay?
(Oh, that you're okay now)
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces (oh, I'm fallin', fallin') yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces
(One still in love while the other one's leavin')
I'm fallin' to pieces
('Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even)
Oh, it don't break even, no
Oh, it don't break even, no
Oh, it don't break even, no
Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in
'Cause I got time while she got freedom
'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even
Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that's gonna put her first
While I'm wide awake, she's no trouble sleepin'
'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even, even, no
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're okay?
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces
They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleedin'
'Cause she's moved on while I'm still grievin'
And when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even, even, no
And what am I going to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're okay?
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces
(One still in love while the other one's leavin')
I'm fallin' to pieces
('Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even)
Oh, you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I'm tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
'Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name
I'm still alive but I'm barely breathin'
Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in
'Cause I got time while she got freedom
'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break
No, it don't break, no, it don't break even, no
What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're okay?
(Oh, that you're okay now)
I'm fallin' to pieces, yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces (oh, I'm fallin', fallin') yeah
I'm fallin' to pieces
(One still in love while the other one's leavin')
I'm fallin' to pieces
('Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even)
Oh, it don't break even, no
Oh, it don't break even, no
Oh, it don't break even, no
Lyrics submitted by lauren_6_6_6
Breakeven Lyrics as written by Andrew Marcus Frampton, Daniel John O'Donoghue, Mark Anthony Sheehan, Stephen Alan Kipner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Jesse with the long hair....
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Classic love story true to his western tx roots. One of my favorites as a story, but I think there are alot of songs that are amazing not even listed on this site. I guess I should figure out how to add them, because I have about 8 REK cd's.
Corpse I Fell In Love With
Gadjits, The
Gadjits, The
He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
"Just prayed to a god that I don't believe in"
It happens everyday for me...
This song is simply amazing.