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Even If It Breaks Your Heart
Eli Young Band Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Way back on the radio dial
The fire got lit inside a bright-eyed child
Every note just wrapped around his soul
From steel guitars to Memphis, all the way to rock and roll

Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin',
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"

Downtown is where I used to wander
Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
So I would stand out on the sidewalk
Listen to the music playin' every Friday night

Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin,
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"

Some dreams stay with you forever
Drag you around but bring you back to where you were
Some dreams keep on gettin' better
Gotta keep believin' if you wanna know for sure

Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin',
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"

Oh, I can hear 'em playin'
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear 'em singin'
"Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart"

Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart

Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, keep on dreamin', oh oh oh

Oh oh oh, don't let it break your heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eli Young Band's song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" tell a story of a musician who finds his passion for music at a young age and spends his nights listening to live bands in downtown bars. The opening lyrics refer to going "way back on the radio dial", indicating that the song takes place in the past, when live music was still prevalent on the airwaves. The young boy listens to a variety of styles, from steel guitars to Memphis to rock and roll, and becomes enamored with the power of the music.


As the song progresses, the musician grows up and can finally attend shows downtown, but is still too young to get inside the bars. Instead, he stands outside and listens to the music, letting it wrap around and fill him up. The chorus encourages the musician to keep dreaming, even if it breaks his heart, and to never give up on his dreams of playing music.


The final verse touches on the idea that some dreams never leave us and keep us coming back to where we started. Despite the ups and downs of pursuing a dream, the chorus repeats the message to “keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart.”


The song overall is a powerful anthem about perseverance and the unfailing drive to pursue one's passion, even when the odds are against them.


Line by Line Meaning

Way back on the radio dial
Back in time when radio was the only source of music


The fire got lit inside a bright-eyed child
The kid's passion for music was ignited


Every note just wrapped around his soul
The music was getting into his very being


From steel guitars to Memphis, all the way to rock and roll
He was inspired by all the different types of music


Oh, I can hear em playin'
The memories of the music are still vivid


I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
The sound and rhythm of the guitar is still with him


Oh, I can hear em singin'
The lyrics of the songs are still in his heart


"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
The message of the song is to never give up on your dreams


Downtown is where I used to wander
He would go to the city to experience the music


Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
He was underage and couldn't enter the clubs


So I would stand out on the sidewalk
He would wait outside and listen to the music


Listen to the music playin' every Friday night
He would make it a habit to enjoy the live music


Some dreams stay with you forever
Certain dreams are so powerful that they never fade away


Drag you around but bring you back to where you were
It may be a struggle, but you always end up where you belong


Some dreams keep on gettin' better
Certain goals become even more rewarding over time


Gotta keep believin' if you wanna know for sure
You have to continue to pursue your dreams to see if they come true


Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, keep on dreamin', oh oh oh
Never stop dreaming


oh oh oh, don't let it break your heart
Don't let anything discourage you from following your dreams




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Eric Paslay, Will Hoge

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@marqgonzaleznavarrete5602

2024 here and still listening!!!

@MidnightplaysDBD

Same

@irafinkelstein423

Has it really been 12 years???

@Dr.Gainzzz

This is one of those songs that will find you in the exact time you need it to. “Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart”

@travissloan5296

This song came on when we were on the bus on the way to family night at basic training. Everyone on the bus was singing. It was one of the most genuine moments I’ve had in my entire life, I think about it every time I hear this song.

@jamesmartinez6767

Thank you for serving

@DariusWolfePlaysGames

😆Bunch of dumbasses... I recently found a bunch of pictures I took in OSUT, and seeing those young faces, pretty much all of whom I've long since lost touch with, brought a smile to my face, even if I was never super popular. I wonder how many of them went the full 20+ like I ended up doing, and I wonder how many of them died along the way.

@joanngrace6514

Ok kjjll8oouuuuuku ky ukluku

@maryannproffitt44

Thanks for serving this country.

@TyDomi

Just WTH is that spose 2 ,ean

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