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Build Me Up, Break Me Down Lyrics

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! (x2)
13 Meanings

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Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

Could 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.

I just saw Dream Theater tonight and James LeBrie said the song was about celebrities before they played it. lbiancan you nailed it!

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

I just saw Dream Theater tonight and James LeBrie said the song was about celebrities before they played it.

Song Meaning

Perfect description of how people view celebrities. Interesting. I thought it was more about themselves, but they have the celebrity experience too.

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

I 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.

At least, this is what it means to me, personally.

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

Pretty 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.

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

I was actually going to say it was self-explanatory, it's about Jesus Christ. Apparently it's not self explanatory for either of us

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

I'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.

The album booklet has allowed me to fix that phrase - it's "morbid" rather than morning. It is about the media as lbiancan says, explaining the commercial sound of this track.

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

Here'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".

Song Meaning
Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

Sounds more like drugs or something like that don't you think?

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

At first I saw on it some kind of Gnostic influence and the story of the bad god, I'm still not sure.

So stop with the messages. Each one was deleted w/o being read. I'd like to remember you fondly, if possible. Thanks.

PLEASE STOP TRYING TO ENGAGE WITH ME. THE INTERNET IF FREE AND VERY VAST LIKE YOUR EGO. I won't use this site anymore. I hope you got what you wanted... blah blah you

I believe it's saying get over yourself. I am not here for your entertainment. And I do believe that's a song:) Whatever I say or do is NOT for you. It's for me. If you can't handle that than you are free to find another site...

Cover art for Build Me Up, Break Me Down lyrics by Dream Theater

I 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...

My Interpretation

That's exactly what I thought it's about.

 
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