BECAUSE OF YOU
Amy Whitcomb Lyrics


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I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid





Because of you
Because of you

Overall Meaning

Amy Whitcomb's song "Because Of You" is a powerful statement about the domino effect that toxic behavior can have on those around us. The song speaks to the artist's struggle to overcome the negative influence of her family and past relationships. The lyrics explain how her past has affected her behavior and decision-making processes. The first verse is about how she wants to avoid making the same mistakes as her parents. She classes her heart from getting hurt, much like her mom or dad, even in the midst of a broken heart. The line "I've learned the hard way to never let it get that far" indicates that the artist has been in a tough spot before, and she doesn't want to get there again.


The following verse discusses how her past experiences have influenced her current behavior. She has learned to be cautious and limit the risks she takes because of the pain she's felt in the past. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "because of you" four times, each time highlighting a different fear or issue that the artist has because of her past. It's clear that the artist has had to work through a lot of trauma and impact that someone who she had looked up to had on her life.


Overall, the song is about the negative impact that someone's behavior can have on the people around them. It's a reminder to be mindful of our words and actions and to consider how they might affect others. The song also highlights the importance of healing from past traumas and not allowing them to dictate our future.


Line by Line Meaning

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I won't repeat your erroneous ways


I will not let myself, Cause my heart so much misery
I won't allow circumstances to cause me heartache


I will not break the way you did, You fell so hard
I won't allow myself to be as easily broken as you


I've learned the hard way, To never let it get that far
I learned the hard way not to push myself too far


Because of you, I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Due to your influence, I am cautious and stay close to safety


Because of you, I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Thanks to you, I play it safe to not experience pain


Because of you, I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Your actions made me question trusting anyone, even myself


Because of you, I am afraid
You caused me great fear


I lose my way, And it's not too long before you point it out
I get lost, and you're quick to point out my faults


I cannot cry, Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I can't show emotion, because it's something you deemed weak


I'm forced to fake, A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
I'm forced to pretend to be happy every day, mask my true emotions


My heart can't possibly break, When it wasn't even whole to start with
My heart wasn't whole to begin with, so it can't break further


I watched you die, I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I observed your passing, your tears disrupting your slumber


I was so young, You should have known better than to lean on me
I was young, you shouldn't have relied on me


You never thought of anyone else, You just saw your pain
You were self-absorbed, only concerned with your own pain


And now I cry in the middle of the night, For the same damn thing
Now, I cry myself to sleep, experiencing the same pain


Because of you, I try my hardest just to forget everything
I struggle to forget everything, thanks to your influence


Because of you, I don't know how to let anyone else in
Thanks to you, I don't know how to trust to let people close


Because of you, I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
You caused me to feel ashamed of my unfulfilling life


Because of you, I am afraid
Your actions instilled great fear in me


Because of you, Because of you
Because of you, everything I experience is due to your influence




Contributed by Oliver E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Bruce Carey

Brilliant performance.!

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