Build Me Up, Break Me Down

Dream Theater

Today, I will be a savior,
Tomorrow a demon.
You crave my erratic behavior
And watch my every move.

Obsession at all costs,
You'll be the death of me.
Broken and torn apart,
Why can't you let me be?

You build me up, you break me down
Until I'm falling to pieces.
I crash and burn, I never learn,
I'm your guilty addiction.
Build me up!
Break me down!

Today, a savior,
Tonight, I am the new messiah you deify.
When I'm no longer desired,
I'll be crucified.

The one who's free from sin,
The first to cast the stone.
Fighting the fear within,
I won't be left alone.

You build me up, you break me down
Until I'm falling to pieces.
The price I pay to live this way,
And the fantasy stays alive.
I can't live up, I can't let down
And leave you falling to pieces.
I crash and burn, I never learn,
I'm your morning obsession.
Build me up!
Break me down!

(I will be your savior)

You build me up, you break me down
Until I'm falling to pieces.
The price I pay to live this way,
And the fantasy stays alive.
I can't live up, I can't let down
And leave you falling to pieces.
I crash and burn, I never learn,
Your iconic fixation.
Build me up!
Break me down!
Build me up!
Break me down!


Lyrics submitted by Octavarium64

Build Me Up, Break Me Down Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Build Me Up, Break Me Down song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

13 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General CommentCould be about celebrities in general whether they be musicians, actors, sports stars. People fixate on them, build them up to god-like proportions they could never uphold, and tear them apart when they are seen as typical frail and mistake making people.
    lbiancanon September 19, 2011   Link
  • +3
    Song MeaningI just saw Dream Theater tonight and James LeBrie said the song was about celebrities before they played it.
    WebSpiriton December 05, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI think it's about how religion really brainwashes people in today's society.
    It talks about how you can't live up, can't let down, and that the fantasy stays alive.
    I believe that it's talking about how you can never please a society that bases everything off of religion.
    That's my opinion.
    margsifrenia13on July 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General CommentPretty self-explanatory: it's about being with somebody that you know is bad for you, but you stick around for the little bit of good and pleasure (as if what's bad is somehow fueling and enhancing the good). It seems like the feeling is mutual.
    2006200720082009on September 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI was actually going to say it was self-explanatory, it's about Jesus Christ. Apparently it's not self explanatory for either of us
    corerulezon September 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'm going to go out on a limb and say it's about television, or perhaps the media in general. "Your morning obsession" for example...that's the first thing many do in the morning. Today a savior, tomorrow a demon...

    Think about it.
    MoogLeeon September 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song MeaningHere's a possible meaning... This song is actually about the fan reaction to the Mike Portnoy/Dream Theater split... from Portnoy's point of view.

    "Today...a savior...
    Tonight, I am the new messiah you deify.
    When I'm no longer desired,
    I'll be crucified."

    The song could represent the reaction from some ungrateful fans when MP split. Yes, I know Petrucci wrote the lyrics, but you don't need to be Portnoy to understand what he's been put through by "fans".
    Ad134on September 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSounds more like drugs or something like that don't you think?
    gunner1on October 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAt first I saw on it some kind of Gnostic influence and the story of the bad god, I'm still not sure.
    afortalezaon November 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationI think in part that this is actually about touring, about the toll it takes from Petrucci's point of view...

    "The price I pay
    To live this way
    And the fantasy stays alive..."

    Basically using these lines, trying to interpret touring and band life, sacrificing time with his wife and daughters to live in the dream that is Dream Theater...
    CashMeInon January 18, 2012   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!

Back to top