Looking back on the things that found me
Places that I'd never choose
The same things that both haunt and heal
My demons and my muse

We are crushed and created
We are melted and made
We are broken and built up, in the very same way
What I thought I could handle
What I thought I could take
What I thought would destroy me leaves me stronger in its wake

There are times that I'd underestimated
Both the grief and goodness found in something new
Where one thing dies, something else can be created
Though its truth you find, its innocence you lose

I'm not the "me" that I started with
My friends say my eyes are brighter
I'm not the "me" that I started with
I'm freer, and I'm wiser, and I'm stronger

We are crushed and created
We are melted and made
We are broken and built up, in the very same way
What I thought I could handle
What I thought I could take
What I thought would destroy me leaves me stronger in its wake

It leaves me stronger


Lyrics submitted by mialove1989

Crushed and Created song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    My Interpretation
    This song was included on an 8tracks mix dedicated to people who struggle with their body image, or have an ED, so I was skewed to think of an ED-related interpretation before I even heard the song...and I still definitely see bits that seem to refer to an ED. I think of this song as having a darker, read-between-the-lines meaning/perspective. The lyrics sound as if the singer had an ED, and got into recovery and managed to come back from it, and now she's stronger through the experience. On the other hand, the words could very well be spoken from the point of view of someone who's so far gone that they think their eating disorder is their friend and supports them. "What I thought would destroy me leaves me stronger in its wake" to me sounds like she realized she was spiraling out of control and worried about it at first, but has lost herself so much that she's not even afraid anymore, welcomes the ED into her life, and thinks she's a stronger woman. Again, my interpretation is very biased, but that's my take on it. Beautiful song, in both composition and execution.
    loverofpeaceon December 26, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I once used this song in a lesson at Church about trials and enduring to the end. I used it to talk about how faith in God makes our trials easier to bear and that they make us stronger as a result.
    joeyfarlzon February 24, 2014   Link

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

Album art
Another Love
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
Album art
The Last Dance
Within Temptation
@[Kahiara:35260] Actually I think the husband passed away, "She sang for you last night She heard you were calling" Many people say they have felt, heard, or seen their loved ones after they have passed. "Don't be scared now Close your eyes She holds guard tonight Go on forward no remorse Life will take it's course" This is said to the late husband by a third part (never named), who encourages him to pass on. Because life will eventually continue. The phrase "holds guard" refers to the ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_(ceremony) ) which is a Christian ceremony held after someone dies. Now it is usually held right after the funeral, but in most celtiic countries the wake is held before the funeral. "She danced with you last night so you will remember All you have shared, a lifetime." This sentence feels as if the only thing it wants to convey is their history together, namely, husband and wife. For the rest it just refers back to the first verse.
Album art
Anti-Hero
Taylor Swift
I believe this is another amazingly on point and nuanced commentary on the insanity that follows emotionally abusive relationships. The abuser has no anxieties, no emotional pain, or salience/memory for that matter, so the survivor appears to be the crazy one, obsessed with the abuse and that buzzword that seems to ignite arguments about diagnosing people without a degree, etc. funny how you say the words domestic violence, abuse, abuse survivor and boom the subject changes. Anyways, I especially relate to her midnights becoming afternoons, complex PTSD often leads to this phenomenon, whether due to purposeful sleep deprivation by the abuser, or just hyper vigilance associated with the PTSD, along with the fear of facing people, especially your loved ones, who Never actually understand, even if they try, because all they see is you, on fire, screaming about the arsonist that no one ever sees, and who has been spreading lies about your alleged mental instability, deceptive personality, etc. the whole time. While the last thing survivors need is more blame, our society supports a narrative that blames the objectively innocent party because the blatantly guilty party has spent their entire lives fabricating a persona and we’re just being human, and human psychology is quite counterintuitive especially in the context of trauma. Look at Amber Heard. Vilified and not believed, regardless of what any abuse survivor could recognize as a fellow survivor instantly. But Johnny depp is a malignant narcissist, a man, and wealthy as all get out. It’s sick.
Album art
Muffin
KIITA
This standout track comes off the artist's latest studio album titled "empathetic". The track was produced by Danny Score and released via notable digital streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify on January 1, 2021.
Album art
Up 2020
Uncle Murda
This standout song of the rapper's latest studio album titled "Don’t Come Outside, Vol. 3" was produced by Great John. The track was released via major streaming platforms on January 1, 2021.