Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Breaking Point
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For when my optic nerves observe your curves
Then suddenly I wanna crush you close, I wanna hold you tight
I wanna kiss and tell the world, I fell in love tonight
'Cause I got to have you
Got to get through to you, baby
That you’re mine, mine, mine
I have reached the breaking point, the point of no return
It’s very clear to see, a fool like me will never ever learn
I have reached the breaking point, I hear the drums of doom
I’m gonna flip my wig in one great big atomic boom
'Cause I got to have you
Got to get through to you, baby
That you’re mine, mine, mine
All at once there’s this big upheaval
That fills my heart full of dreams
All at once comes the urge primeval
And I come apart at the seams
Oh, here I go again, the same old song and dance
I’ve had my share of tea and sympathy but no romance
I’ve reached my breaking point, it’s much too late to stop
It’s either shoes and rice or lose the dice and blow my top
'Cause I got to have you
Got to get through to you, baby
That you’re mine, mine, mine
All at once there’s this big upheaval
That fills my heart so full of dreams
All at once comes the urge primeval
And I fall apart at the seams
Oh, here I go again, that same old song and dance
I’ve had my share of tea and sympathy but no romance
I’ve reached my breaking point, it’s much too late to stop
It’s either shoes and rice and lose the dice or blow my top
'Cause I got to have you
Got to get near to you, baby
You’re mine, oh, all mine
In Bobby Darin's song "Breaking Point", the lyrics describe a moment of emotional vulnerability and desperation. The singer has reached their breaking point and cannot hold back their feelings any longer. When the singer sees the curves of someone they desire, they feel an uncontrollable urge to hold them tightly and declare their love. They admit that they are a fool who will never learn from past mistakes, and they fear that they will lose control and explode like an "atomic boom". The singer acknowledges that they are repeating the same old pattern of wanting love but never finding it, and they know that they must confess their feelings before they go too far.
The song captures the intense emotions of someone who has been pushed to their limit and can no longer hide their true feelings. The imagery of "reaching the breaking point" and "the drums of doom" creates a sense of urgency and impending danger. The song suggests that sometimes we must take risks and express our emotions, even if it means risking rejection or failure.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ve reached the breaking point, don’t stand too close to me
I am extremely agitated and cannot bear anyone's presence around me as I have reached my limit
For when my optic nerves observe your curves
When I look at you and notice your attractive figure
Then suddenly I wanna crush you close, I wanna hold you tight
My sudden impulse is to hug you tightly and never let go
I wanna kiss and tell the world, I fell in love tonight
I am so smitten with you that I want to shout it out loud and confess my love to everyone
'Cause I got to have you
Got to get through to you, baby
That you’re mine, mine, mine
I am so desperate to be with you that I need to make you understand that you belong to me
I have reached the breaking point, the point of no return
I have reached the stage where there is no turning back
It’s very clear to see, a fool like me will never ever learn
I am so foolish that I keep making the same mistakes
I have reached the breaking point, I hear the drums of doom
I feel like something terrible is about to happen as I can sense danger ahead
I’m gonna flip my wig in one great big atomic boom
I am about to lose my mind and explode with anger and frustration
All at once there’s this big upheaval
That fills my heart full of dreams
Suddenly, I am overwhelmed with emotions and my heart is full of hopes and desires
All at once comes the urge primeval
And I come apart at the seams
Suddenly, I have an uncontrollable urge and I feel like I am falling apart
Oh, here I go again, the same old song and dance
I keep repeating the same pattern of behavior, unable to break free from my own cycle
I’ve had my share of tea and sympathy but no romance
I have been consoled and sympathized with, but I have never truly experienced love
It’s much too late to stop
I have gone too far to turn back now, nothing can stop me
It’s either shoes and rice or lose the dice and blow my top
I am at a crossroads where I must choose to either get married or take a gamble and end up losing my mind
'Cause I got to have you
Got to get near to you, baby
You’re mine, oh, all mine
My desire to be with you is so strong that I need to be near you and make you mine forever
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lyall G
Only discovered this song a couple of months ago. It has become one of my favourites. Love it!
Tom Guraro
I'm a huge Bobby fan, but somehow I've never heard this before! It's fantastic! Very few could compete with him when he sang this type of material.
Lyall G
When it comes to swing, he pretty much stands alone I think. He had the rhythm and timing of a black artist eg, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole.
carmentete
Wonderful song, vibrant, perfect !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing. Thanks also to you dear Bobby! Already in my favorites.
Had Enough
Great tune!! Jack Sperling on drums! This is better than anything I've heard from Sinatra.
RACi_2051
Had Enough YES! You're soo right!!
Lyall G
I think Bobby had the ability to make it feel as if he is singing directly to you. This is a trait which sets my favourite artists apart from the others.
David Chernofsky
Although I am a big fan I missed this great performance
CRAIG OROSZ
Mm
CRAIG OROSZ
I’m going be