Broken Down
Eric Clapton礀 Lyrics


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Everything was wonderful when you were in my life.
Yesterday we were on a roll, baby, then we end up in a fight.
Everywhere I look, I see problems, where I never seen before.
The cracks in the sidewalk, when I get home my key don't even fit the door.

[Chorus:]
The moon don't shine, it's broken down.
The clouds are crying, they're broken down.
The car won't start, it's broken down.
And this shattered heart, it's broken down.
My whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, I've broken down.

Stepped outside into the night, I took a walk around the block.
I stopped by the church that I used to go inside but even that door was locked.
So I came back home, feeling so alone, a light had burned out in the hall.
My TV is broke, said I'm out of smoke, there's no one I can even call.

[Chorus]

Said my whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, I've broken down.

Till you come back, come back to me, I'm going to be broken down.
Till you come back, come back to me, I'm going to be broken down.

[Chorus]

I mean my whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, I've broken down.




My whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, it's broken down.

Overall Meaning

In Eric Clapton's "Broken Down," the lyrics describe the aftermath of a fight and subsequent breakup with a loved one. The once-wonderful world that the singer lived in is now plagued with problems and everything seems to be falling apart. The imagery of the broken moon, crying clouds, and a car that won't start all reflect the singer's broken heart.


The singer tries to find solace outside, walking around the block and visiting the church they used to go to, but they are met with locked doors and a burnt-out light in the hall. Even the TV is broken and there is no one left to call. The lyrics are a raw and emotional representation of the pain and emptiness one feels after losing someone they love.


Overall, the song conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair, with the chorus repeating the phrase "broken down" to emphasize the extent of the emotional damage. The singer's whole world is shattered and until their loved one comes back to them, they feel like they will continue to be broken down.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything was wonderful when you were in my life.
Life was good when the person was present.


Yesterday we were on a roll, baby, then we end up in a fight.
Things were going well until they had an argument.


Everywhere I look, I see problems, where I never seen before.
Problems seem to be popping up out of nowhere.


The cracks in the sidewalk, when I get home my key don't even fit the door.
Even everyday things aren't working properly.


The moon don't shine, it's broken down.
The moon seems symbolic of the singer's broken heart.


The clouds are crying, they're broken down.
The weather represents the singer's sadness.


The car won't start, it's broken down.
Even the singer's mode of transportation isn't working.


And this shattered heart, it's broken down.
The singer's heart is in pieces.


My whole damn world, it's broken down.
The singer feels like everything is falling apart.


Since you left me girl, I've broken down.
The reason for the singer's state is due to the fact that the person left.


Stepped outside into the night, I took a walk around the block.
The singer goes for a walk to clear his head.


I stopped by the church that I used to go inside but even that door was locked.
The places that once brought comfort are no longer accessible.


So I came back home, feeling so alone, a light had burned out in the hall.
Even home, a place that should feel safe, is now filled with darkness.


My TV is broke, said I'm out of smoke, there's no one I can even call.
Even distractions and vices aren't available, there's no one to reach out to.


Till you come back, come back to me, I'm going to be broken down.
The only thing that can fix the singer's broken state is the return of the person.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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