Elliott Yamin (born Efraym Elliott Yamin on July 20, 1978) is an American s… Read Full Bio ↴Elliott Yamin (born Efraym Elliott Yamin on July 20, 1978) is an American singer who is best known for the hit single "Wait for You" and for being the third runner-up on the fifth season of American Idol. On March 20, 2007 he released his self-titled debut album, which sold 90,000 copies its first week and debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200. He is credited with the highest first week sales for an independent artist debut in SoundScan history. The album was certified Gold in the US and Japan. He completed a nine month tour in late 2007, which included clubs and theaters across the U.S., as well as shows in Canada, the Philippines, and Malaysia. In 2008 and 2009, he played several shows at Billboard Live venues in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, Japan. His single "Wait for You" was #11 on the 2007 year-end Billboard Pop 100 Airplay chart and was certified Platinum in October 2008. His sophomore album, Fight for Love, was released on May 5, 2009. The title track was released as the first single to digital music outlets on March 10, 2009. Please check out his website www.officialelliottyamin.com for updated information.

Train Wreck
Elliott Yamin Lyrics

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Mmmhmm
Oh yeah, yeah
Mmm
We're heading for a train wreck

I gotta be honest with you, baby
I knew it right from the start
Without knowing the cost to my soul

I paid for it with my heart
They say to be careful what you wish
What you want, and what you need
Second thoughts have got me thinking over
Maybe we're in too deep

And I'm so helpless
What's the point of building up just to tear it all down?
And I should care less
But you know I just can't
I can't help wanting you around

[Chorus]
Whatever we do
Better think it through
'Cause we're moving too fast
We are strangers
Heading for a train wreck
When it feels this good
Gotta hurt so bad
This just can't last
We are strangers
Heading for a train wreck

And we're getting to the point of no return
'Cause, baby, when I give my heart

There ain't no turning back
No, it ain't
And I will live through a lesser turn
So, I just can't sit around
Waiting for the love to burn

[Chorus]

I gotta be honest with you, baby
I knew it right from the start
I guess all I knew
We were heading for a train wreck
Whatever we do (oh yeah)
Strangers heading for a train wreck

Overall Meaning

In "Train Wreck," Elliott Yamin delves deep into the complex mind of a person who knows they're heading towards a relationship disaster, yet can't help but feel drawn to their significant other. The song is an ode to the feeling of helplessness that one experiences when they are powerless in the face of their own emotions.

Throughout the lyrics, Yamin hints at the underlying feeling of regret that weighs heavily on the singer's mind. They question the point of building something up when it's just going to crumble down again. At the same time, they can't help but want their partner in their life. The singer knows it's a matter of time before they hit a point of no return. But by then, they'll already have given their heart to this person.

The chorus serves to drive the message of the song home. The tone remains melancholic as Yamin delivers the message that despite the allure of their relationship, the couple is, in fact, moving too fast and is ultimately hurtling towards certain doom. The final lines of the song serve as an epiphany for the singer. They accept that they knew all along that their relationship was doomed from the start, yet they couldn't ignore the magnetic pull towards their lover.

Overall, "Train Wreck" is a poignant and relatable song for anyone who's ever loved someone they know isn't right for them. By juxtaposing the singer's feelings of desire and longing with their knowledge of the inevitability of disaster, Yamin delivers a song that's truly touching.

Line by Line Meaning

Mmmhmm
I am acknowledging your statement

Oh yeah, yeah
I am emphasizing my agreement with you

Mmm
I am pondering the situation

We're heading for a train wreck
Our relationship is inevitably headed for disaster

I gotta be honest with you, baby
I need to be truthful with you

I knew it right from the start
I had doubts about us from the very beginning

Without knowing the cost to my soul
I was unaware of the emotional toll it would take

I paid for it with my heart
I gave my heart to you and it hurt me

They say to be careful what you wish
People caution against blindly pursuing desires

What you want, and what you need
What you desire versus what is necessary

Second thoughts have got me thinking over
I am reconsidering our relationship

Maybe we're in too deep
Our involvement is too intense

And I'm so helpless
I feel powerless to stop our impending breakup

What's the point of building up just to tear it all down?
Why bother investing so much into a doomed relationship?

And I should care less
I should be less invested emotionally

But you know I just can't
But I am unable to detach myself from you

I can't help wanting you around
I still desire your presence despite knowing the inevitable outcome

Whatever we do
Our actions will have consequences, either positive or negative

Better think it through
We need to be mindful of our choices

'Cause we're moving too fast
Our relationship is progressing too quickly

We are strangers
We don't know each other well enough to commit to a lasting relationship

When it feels this good
Our chemistry is strong and intense

Gotta hurt so bad
The eventual heartbreak will be even more painful

This just can't last
Our relationship is temporary

We are strangers
We are not well-acquainted with each other

Heading for a train wreck
Our relationship is doomed

And we're getting to the point of no return
We are crossing a threshold where there is no turning back

'Cause, baby, when I give my heart
I am steadfast and sincere in my love for you

There ain't no turning back
I am fully committed to this relationship

No, it ain't
There are no doubts in my mind about my feelings for you

And I will live through a lesser turn
I will withstand a less fulfilling life if it means holding onto our relationship

So, I just can't sit around
I cannot idly wait for the breakup

Waiting for the love to burn
I anticipate our passionate love will eventually fade away

I guess all I knew
All I ever knew is that we were not meant to last

We were heading for a train wreck
Our love was doomed from the start

Whatever we do (oh yeah)
Regardless of our decisions

Strangers heading for a train wreck
We are two individuals who are destined for heartbreak

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ELLIOTT YAMIN, MICHELLE LEWIS, D. BRAMBLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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