Need A Break
David Myles Lyrics


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You need a break from the noise in the middle of the night
You need a break from the boys who just seem to want to fight
You need a break from being lonely, a break from playing games
You need a break from shaking hands, faking interest in their names
I believe you when you tell me your time is running out
I can see it in your eyes, I can tell that there's no doubt
You need a break, you need a break
You need a break from paying bills, a break from paying rent
You put all your money on your loans and you can't make a dent
You need a break from early mornings, a break from your alarm
A break from your boss wouldn't do you any harm
Your temper's getting shorter and your mood is getting bad
If you had a bottled genie, it'd be the only wish you'd have
You need a break, you need a break

Don't need new clothes, don't need a new car
Don't need someone telling you how lucky you are
You don't want to rent a movie or go for a run
If you had a list of things to do you'd only choose one
You need a break, you need a break

You don't need a doctor, don't want to take pills
You don't need their diagnosis cause you know it so well
They'll say take your time and ask yourself why
Well you already have and you told yourself
I just need a break, just need a break

You need a break from the hassle, a break from the hype
You need a break from going in and out of fashion overnight
You need a break from keeping up, a break from feeling down
You need a break from all the traffic on your way across town
You need a break from people telling you what's right and what's wrong
No one seems to want to listen to what you've known all along
You need a break, you need a break

You've tried to learn to paint, you've tried to learn to sing
You've tried to meditate, you've tried everything
You read Walt Whitman and the Tao Te Ching
And you're still missing something, still missing one thing
You need a break, you need a break

You don't need a doctor, don't want to take pills
You don't need their diagnosis cause you know it so well
They'll say take your time and ask yourself why




Well you already have and you told yourself I…
Just need a break, just need a break, just need a break

Overall Meaning

The song "Need A Break" by David Myles talks about various stresses in life and how overwhelming they can be. The opening lines suggest that the person needs a break from the noise and from fighting, and from the loneliness that comes from playing games. This could mean that the person is tired of the social convention of small talk and wants more meaningful connections in life. The lyrics also talk about the stress of bills and loans, and the pressure to keep up with society's expectations. The song suggests that the person has tried different ways to find relief, but nothing has worked so far.


The chorus and repetition of "you need a break" emphasize the point that the person is feeling burnt out and needs time to breathe. The lyrics also suggest that the person is self-aware, and they know that taking a break is the best solution to their problems. The line "you don't need a doctor, don't want to take pills" suggests that this person doesn't want quick fixes, but instead needs time to recuperate and find balance.


Overall, "Need A Break" is a relatable song for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of life. It highlights the importance of taking care of one's mental health and recognizing when it's time to step back and take a break.


Line by Line Meaning

You need a break from the noise in the middle of the night
You need some peace and quiet from all the disturbances that happen in the night.


You need a break from the boys who just seem to want to fight
You need to distance yourself from people who only bring negativity and conflict.


You need a break from being lonely, a break from playing games
You crave companionship but are tired of playing games and pretending to be someone you're not.


You need a break from shaking hands, faking interest in their names
You're tired of the empty social interactions where you have to pretend to care about people you don't know.


I believe you when you tell me your time is running out
I trust you when you say that you're running out of time and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure.


I can see it in your eyes, I can tell that there's no doubt
It's obvious to me from your expression and behavior that you're struggling and need a break.


You need a break, you need a break
Overall, you're feeling burnt out and need some time to yourself to recharge and rejuvenate.


You need a break from paying bills, a break from paying rent
You're exhausted from the constant financial pressure and need a break from the unending expenses.


You put all your money on your loans and you can't make a dent
Despite putting in all the effort, you can't seem to make any progress on paying off your loans and other debts.


You need a break from early mornings, a break from your alarm
You're tired of waking up early to the sound of your alarm and want a break from the constant routine.


A break from your boss wouldn't do you any harm
Taking a break from work and your boss would actually do you some good right now.


Your temper's getting shorter and your mood is getting bad
Your emotional state is deteriorating, and you're finding it harder to control your temper and maintain a positive mood.


If you had a bottled genie, it'd be the only wish you'd have
If you had one wish right now, it would be for some time off to help you relax and recharge.


Don't need new clothes, don't need a new car
Material possessions are not important to you right now, and you're not looking for the latest trends or status symbols.


Don't need someone telling you how lucky you are
You don't want people to remind you of your blessings, as you're already aware of them and still need a break.


You don't want to rent a movie or go for a run
Even leisure activities that used to bring you joy aren't appealing to you right now.


If you had a list of things to do you'd only choose one
You're so overwhelmed that even if you had a to-do list, you'd struggle to choose even one task to start with.


You need a break, you need a break
This is the recurring message throughout the song: you need to take a break and give yourself some time off.


You don't need a doctor, don't want to take pills
You don't want to rely on medication or professional help to feel better - you just want some time to yourself.


You don't need their diagnosis cause you know it so well
You're already aware of what's causing your fatigue and burnout, and don't need anyone to tell you what you already know.


They'll say take your time and ask yourself why
If you did decide to seek professional help, they would likely tell you to give yourself time and reflect on the reasons behind your stress.


Well, you already have and you told yourself
As mentioned earlier, you're already aware of the causes and don't need anyone else to tell you.


I just need a break, just need a break
The final lines of the song encapsulate the overall message: you just need some time to yourself and nothing else.




Contributed by Madison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

adrean83

Heard this WDET NPR on their acoustic program. Glad I found it online. I hear echoes of Violent Femmes wordplay. Could see them singing this. This is great thank you.

rtoddes Toddes-Miller

I heard of you through NoiseTrade as well. What range you have! I shared "Need a Break" and "How'd I Ever Think I Loved You" (what a great break up song). You deserve to be more widely heard. I hope to see you in Philadelphia sometime!

Hitcher177

+David Myles ~ Just heard of you through NoiseTrade  with "Intro To"
I love your music, it takes me back to old country, mixed with Jazz and BlueGrass, It is such a mess of styles,   but IT WORKS.             Good Luck, you deserve it.

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