Breakdown
David Coverdale (Whitesnake) Lyrics

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Getting near the end, now I knew the time was right for a breakdown
Megaton surprise but your eyes never made it a shakedown
Shot you full of rock `n` roll, couldn't make your soul
Didn't burn you to the bone
Do what the man says, take the money and run

But, I never saw the splendor
In stealing all your gold

Taking all your silver
And doing what I`m told

I never saw the tears but I knew you cried for rhythm `n` blues
Screaming like a wildcat I knew that I had nothing to lose
Shot you full of rock `n` roll, couldn't make your soul
Didn't burn you to the bone
Do what the man says, take the money and run

But, I never saw the splendor
In stealing all your gold
Taking all your silver
And doing what I`m told

It`s just a breakdown
Breakdown
Breakdown
Breakdown

Shaking like a leaf in the wind see me blowing away
Never see me fall on the ground till I've had my say
Shot you full of rock `n` roll, couldn't make your soul
Didn't burn you to the bone
Do what the man says, take the money and run

But, I never saw the splendor
In stealing all your gold
Taking all your silver
And doing what I`m told

It`s just a breakdown
Breakdown
Breakdown
It`s just a breakdown

Getting near the end, now I knew the time was right for a breakdown
Megaton surprise but your eyes never made it a shakedown
Shot you full of rock `n` roll, couldn't make your soul
Didn't burn you to the bone
Do what the man says, take the money and run

But, I never saw the splendor
In stealing all your gold
Taking all your silver
And doing what I`m told

It`s just a breakdown
Breakdown

Breakdown
Breakdown

Overall Meaning

David Coverdale's song "Breakdown" is a profound commentary on the consequences of blindly following the rules and the disillusionment that comes with it. The lyrics describe the singer's realization that it is time for a breakdown, indicating a need for change and a break from the oppressive systems around him. The use of the phrase "Megaton surprise" implies the sudden realization that something needs to change, but the singer acknowledges that their actions cannot bring about total change - they cannot "burn you to the bone."

The lyrics also refer to the destructive power of rock and roll, which is unable to save the soul of the singer or the listener. The line "Shot you full of rock 'n' roll, couldn't make your soul" suggests that the music and its accompanying lifestyle, although empowering and liberating, are not enough to bring about lasting change.

Line by Line Meaning

Getting near the end, now I knew the time was right for a breakdown
I noticed that the end was approaching, so I felt that it was the perfect time for a breakdown.

Megaton surprise but your eyes never made it a shakedown
Although there was a big shock, I didn't see any fear in your eyes indicating that you were being shaken down.

Shot you full of rock `n` roll, couldn't make your soul
I tried to fill you up with my music, but it didn't touch your soul.

Didn't burn you to the bone
I didn't touch you so deeply that it left a lasting impression.

Do what the man says, take the money and run
Follow orders, take the money and escape without looking back.

But, I never saw the splendor
I never saw the beauty or magnificence.

In stealing all your gold
There was no glamour or prestige in taking your riches.

Taking all your silver
I didn't find any pride in taking all your secondary possessions.

And doing what I`m told
Obeying instructions was not a source of happiness for me.

I never saw the tears but I knew you cried for rhythm `n` blues
I didn't see you cry, but I sensed that you were emotional about listening to rhythm and blues music.

Screaming like a wildcat I knew that I had nothing to lose
I screamed like an animal because I knew that I had nothing left to lose.

It`s just a breakdown
This is just a moment of personal collapse.

Shaking like a leaf in the wind see me blowing away
I'm trembling like a leaf that's being blown away by the wind.

Never see me fall on the ground till I've had my say
I won't let myself collapse until I've expressed myself fully.

Breakdown

It`s just a breakdown
This is just a moment of personal collapse.

Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL W. SMITH, WAYNE KIRKPATRICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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