boulevard of broken dreams
B. J. Armstrong Lyrics
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The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's only me, and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one, and I walk alone
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Till then I walk alone
I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border line of the edge
And where I walk alone
Read between the lines
What's ***ked up and every thing's all right
Check my vital signs to know I'm still alive
And I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk alone
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Till then I walk alone
In the song, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, B.J. Armstrong expresses his emotional struggles with his dreams and feeling like he is not enough for his audience. The song starts with the refrain, “Broken dreams fade away” which sets the tone for the rest of the song. He has fears and doubts about his visions and is struggling to keep going. He uses a metaphor of a vest not protecting his chest anymore, meaning that he has been hurt too many times to be shielded by his vest. The vest is a symbol of his confidence and the darts thrown at him are the criticism that has damaged it. Furthermore, he talks about his struggles with creating music which shows how he is having writer's block and cannot create anything more that shows his talent and approach. He feels like he is not enough, and in the lyrics, he mentions the names of other famous musicians like Eminem, Drake, and Derek, who are very popular in the music industry. He talks about chasing his dreams and it feels like he is destined to do so. He also added that he needs to keep his head aligned while curving hate as everything is dependent on how he perceives things. Finally, he says the broken dreams can be remedied if he continues with the music thing, which means that he will continue to be persistent in his music career despite the challenges that he may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken dreams fade... away
Nightmares and fears eventually dissipate and disappear
Away
Reiteration of the fading of broken dreams
I can't let you slip away
I cannot let go of my dreams
Visions filled with fear and doubt
My dreams are plagued with fear and uncertainty
And I can only go so long
My endurance to withstand the pain is limited
Taking darts to heart
The criticism hurts me deeply
My vest ain't protecting my chest no more
My defenses are down and I am increasingly vulnerable
And my pen don't know what else to write no more
I am running out of inspiration for my art
To show them all the talent, nah
I am not trying to prove myself to others
To show em all the heart I got
I am trying to express the depth of my emotions
I'm standing on this narrow cliff
I am in a precarious position
Rapping through a microphone
I am expressing myself through music
Maybe I can't phone home
Perhaps I cannot find comfort in the familiar
Cuz I'm lacking minutes
I am running out of time
Independence is a blessed curse
Having freedom is both a blessing and a curse
But one that I can not reverse
I cannot change my circumstances
It hurts for me to swallow that
It is painful to accept my limitations
I may not believe this tat
I may doubt myself
What do they expect of me?
I feel pressure to meet others' expectations
I'm not Em, or Drake or Derek, NF
I am not as popular or successful as other musicians
I'm not enough for these crowds
I feel inadequate to please my audience
I'm just chasing dreams so much
I am relentlessly pursuing my passions
It kinda feels like destiny
It seems like my fate to pursue music
I'm curving hate keep the head on straight or else I'm screwed
I am avoiding negativity to maintain focus
They don't want it like I do
Others do not have the same level of passion
Writer's block is fel for me
I struggle with creative blockages
Cuz that means that I'm breaking ceilings
Overcoming mental barriers is a sign of progress
Open chest you see my heart
I am being vulnerable and revealing my emotions
Naw that ain't fools gold
My emotions are real and not fake
When I'm in the studio I feel free down to my soul
I experience a liberating sensation when creating music
Broken dreams are remedied
My shattered dreams can be healed
If I keep with this music thing
If I continue to pursue music
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Pritchard, Frank E. Wright III, Billie Joe Armstrong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michele Costanzo
I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me, and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one, and I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk a-
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then, I walk alone
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the borderline
Of the edge, and where I walk alone
Read between the lines
What's fucked up, and everything's alright
Check my vital signs
To know I'm still alive, and I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk a-
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then, I walk alone
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, I walk alone, I walk a-
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one, and I walk a-
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then, I walk alone
MonkeyBoo
This is an amazing performance!
Marco Morales
IM A BIG FAN
Casey’s Goings
Is it the real monkey boo? Cos that’s cool 🐒
Plutonian Queen
MonkeyBoo!!!! 🥰😭 i love you!
💙Muichiro_Tokito💙
I love them 😍
Patrick Nordsvahn
When a punk with an acoustic guitar and a few chords is better than everything on the radio.
Darryl T
Patrick Nordsvahn I don’t consider Green Day that good though.
Patrick Nordsvahn
Darryl T They are good, not great. Still better than anything on radio.
Zachary Weissenberger
@Blood Ice Cream a tale as old as time
Patrick Nordsvahn
Pie Fish I was your age in the 90:s when punk had it’s new wave, with Green Day releasing Dookie and Offspring releasing Smash. Those were the days. Rancid, Pennywise, NOFX, Bad Religion. There were so many good punk bands. Some say Green Day and Offspring sold out because they signed major deals with big labels. But that’s just envy.