Try to ignore the twisted side
We kiss and we hiss at the same time
Don't you know some things just don't blow away
You've been this way before, but the cuts just seem to hurt me more
Could be a reason for the difference...

You've been practicing
The art of heartbreak
Practing
The art of heartbreak

Anticipating what she's aching for
I'm being edgy leave her wanting more
Anyone might think we'd rather be alone
Yeah, she's been cut before by sharp things I've been saying so long
I can't believe the way she takes it

I've been practicing
The art of heartbreak
Practicing
The art of heartbreak

Why do we make it hard, been hitting back and forth for so long
What are we aiming at, there's no score in love
I bet a million bucks she knows but won't let up on me, so
I've just decided to stop

Practicing the art of heartbreak
Practicing
The art of heartbreak
We've been practicing

Overall Meaning

In the song "Art of Heartbreak" by Hall & Oates, the lyrics depict a tumultuous and complicated relationship between two individuals. The opening lines, "Try to ignore the twisted side, We kiss and we hiss at the same time," suggest that there is a sense of duality to their relationship. The next lines, "Don't you know some things just don't blow away, You've been this way before, but the cuts just seem to hurt me more, Could be a reason for the difference," indicate that there is a history of pain and hurt between the two parties.

The chorus, which is repeated multiple times throughout the song, says, "You've been practicing the art of heartbreak, Practicing the art of heartbreak." By describing it as an "art," the song characterizes the act of causing emotional pain to someone as something that is almost skillful or deliberate. The next lines, "Anticipating what she's aching for, I'm being edgy leave her wanting more, Anyone might think we'd rather be alone, Yeah, she's been cut before by sharp things I've been saying so long, I can't believe the way she takes it," continue to portray the two individuals as caught in a cycle of pain and conflict.

Finally, in the last verse, there is a sense of resignation from the singer, as they sing, "Why do we make it hard, been hitting back and forth for so long, What are we aiming at, there's no score in love, I bet a million bucks she knows but won't let up on me, so, I've just decided to stop Practicing the art of heartbreak." It seems that the singer has come to the realization that this relationship is going nowhere and that they need to stop perpetuating the cycle of hurt.

Line by Line Meaning

Try to ignore the twisted side
We need to try not to pay attention to the negative aspects of our relationship, to make it work.

We kiss and we hiss at the same time
We are passionate and argumentative with each other simultaneously.

Don't you know some things just don't blow away
Certain problems or issues in a relationship cannot be easily resolved or overlooked.

You've been this way before, but the cuts just seem to hurt me more
You have acted in a similar manner in the past, but it bothers me more now.

Could be a reason for the difference...
There may be a reason why your behavior affects me differently than before.

You've been practicing
You have been intentionally perfecting

The art of heartbreak
The ability to hurt me emotionally.

Anticipating what she's aching for
I am trying to guess what she wants or needs from me.

I'm being edgy leave her wanting more
I am behaving in a way that makes her want me more.

Anyone might think we'd rather be alone
Our behavior might give others the impression that we don't actually want to be together.

Yeah, she's been cut before by sharp things I've been saying so long
She has been hurt by the hurtful things that I have frequently said to her.

I can't believe the way she takes it
I am surprised by the way she still puts up with my behavior.

Why do we make it hard, been hitting back and forth for so long
Why do we continue to have a difficult relationship and engage in arguments for so long?

What are we aiming at, there's no score in love
Why are we trying to compete or win in a relationship? Love is not a game or competition.

I bet a million bucks she knows but won't let up on me, so
I believe that she knows what I am doing but refuses to stop.

I've just decided to stop
I have made a conscious decision to stop hurting her emotionally.

Practicing the art of heartbreak
I have been perfecting the ability to hurt her emotionally.

We've been practicing
We have both been intentionally perfecting

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