Breakdown

Plain White T's

I've seen a man cry.
I've seen a man shout out,
Afraid losing the woman he loves.
I've seen a woman lying
To her man flat out,
About who she's been with
And where she was.
I've seen a low fire
And tried to figure it out.
This fight, it isn't going anywhere
I've seen a child's eyes
Watching his parents freak out.
I know they seem him but they just don't care.

It won't stop if they don't stop yelling.
It's not the way of working your problems out.
I can't stand being around this yelling
So I'm finding my way out.

I'm gonna drive and never ever slow down.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.
Packing my things and getting out of this town.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.

I've seen a child's eyes.
I've seen him living in doubt.
Not ever knowing what it's like to be in love.
I've seen his friends try
To just to help him get out.
He never told them what the problem really was.
I've seen a suicide.
They couldn't figure it out.
He blamed himself because they couldn't get along.
I've seen his parents' eyes
Trying to figure it out.
Where did our baby go and what went wrong?

It won't stop if they don't stop yelling
It's not the way of working your problems out.
I can't stand being around this yelling
So I'm finding my way out.

I'm gonna drive and never ever slow down.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.
Packing my things and getting out of this town.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.

I'm gonna drive until I break down.
Hold it inside until I break down.
I'm gonna try until I break down
Say my goodbyes until I break down.
(Baby c'mon)

I'm gonna drive and never ever slow down.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.
Packing my things and getting out of this town.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.

I'm gonna drive and never ever slow down.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.
Packing my things and getting out of this town.
I'm gonna drive until I break down.

I'm gonna drive until I break down.
Hold it inside until I break down.


Lyrics submitted by nikki04

Breakdown Lyrics as written by Tom Higgenson

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Breakdown song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentThis song is such a powerful commentary on how badly parents can screw up their kids. Especially in modern times, where the divorce rate is over 50% of marriages. I mean why would the young boy want to live if he thinks that this is what he's going to grow up to: watching someone you love cheat on you, constant arguing. In the song, his "breakdown" was his suicide (obviously). I think that "breakdown" can be interpreted different ways; like what noiamnotwhereibelong was saying, she lost her boyfriend because she couldn't figure out what she wanted. That's her breakdown, losing someone she loves. Such a sad song, I cry every time I hear it.
    removalrequested69696969on January 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthe lyrics need some corrections.

    great song. it's a great anthem to sing along with while driving.
    helenripson December 03, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe song is pretty self explanitory... He's driving away from his problems. Too bad that won't really solve anything.

    helenrips, I just checked my lyrics up with the track on purevolume. I see nothing wrong with them. Maye you've got an older version?
    If not, suggestions on just how to improve the lyrics would be helpful.
    nikki04on December 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is written about a mix of Tom growing up with divorced parents and his friend that killed himself.
    This is my favorite PWTS song, Tom even knows me as the "breakdown girl." this song means so much to someone who had to go through their parents being divorced, and had to deal with the constant fighting. the line that gets me most is...
    "I've seen a child's eyes.
    I've seen him living in doubt.
    Not ever knowing what it's like to be in love. "
    because since my parents got divorced when i was young, i feel like i've never had anyone to show me what real love is, and am scared that ill never know it when i feel it. this is an amazing song.
    Firewrks2niteon December 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI've seen a child's eyes.
    I've seen him living in doubt.
    Not ever knowing what it's like to be in love.
    I've seen his friends try
    To just to help him get out.
    He never told them what the problem really was.

    maybe the kid in the song is gay? i dont know. either way its a great song. the second is definatly weak compared to stop though
    The Fighteron April 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is about parents allways fighting with eachother in front of their kids and then the kid allways thinks it's their fault that their fighting so they commit suicide. And he trys to run away from it by driving away and never slowing down
    sacha33on September 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI aggree with Firewrks2nite.
    Best PWT song i've heard 2 date
    CAMeyeon October 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentTo me this song is talking about a little boy whose parents fought all the time and how he was too young to understand. and how he thought it was his fault. so, he thought he could just solve their problems and sacrafice himself. which is really sad, because it wasnt his fault the whole time. But, it was his parents fault because, in the song it says that they saw him but they just ignored him...


    i love this song so much, its really sad and makes you think. it makes you mentally be a better parent for the future.

    ily4everx3on October 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment"It won't stop if they don't stop yelling
    It's not the way of working your problems out."

    too right.

    "I'm gonna drive until I break down."

    talking about actually breaking down in a car

    "Hold it inside until I break down."

    talking about more of a mental breakdown

    pretty self explanetry really. but def the best pwt song
    BoomBethBang*-*on December 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is beautifully written and explains how the persona is considering breaking free of the turmoil in their life before they 'break down' by litterally driving away and arn't going to stop until the car 'breaks down'. Also, the situations the persona is describing in the song is actually themself.
    xx_emma_s_xxon March 26, 2008   Link

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