In November 2004 Five Times August’s song “Better With You” was featured in MTV’s hit show Laguna Beach. The series’ music supervisor had found the song at random via online web portal CDBaby.com. By the end of the year that exposure had snowballed into an underground following for the one-man band, catapulting Myspace listens and iTunes sales. By Spring ’06 Five Times August was a national touring artist, performing solo acoustic shows across the country (to date FTA has performed in 43 of the 50 states). More song placements soon followed, with features on networks ranging from The CW and MTV to ABC, FOX and Lifetime, among many others. In 2007 Five Times August became the first unsigned act in history to accomplish national distribution through Wal-Mart stores.
It doesn’t stop there. Most recently you may have heard Five Times August in a national GMC commercial promoting their big summer savings event. Also, if you own any of HBO’s 2009 DVD releases, you’ll most likely be hearing the song “Do It Again” in a quick ad before the menu pops up.
“Life As A Song” is a twelve-track collection of Five Times August’s most popular songs in recent years. Based on fan favorites and the most licensed songs, Skistimas went back into the studio with Grammy Award winner Andy Zulla (Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson, Rod Stewart) to polish and shine each song for more commercial success, re-recording many of the tune’s instrumentation and vocals from the ground up. “It’s an album of growth and change,” Skistimas says about the quazi “best of” album. “At the start of the album you’ll find me where I was as a songwriter, more innocent and raw. By the end you’ll see I’m not the same songwriter anymore, there’s a deeper outlook on life in the newer songs.”
The album includes new mainstream versions of underground college cult-hits like “Up To Me” and “Better With You” (the latter has sold 58,000 digital singles to date). Alongside those fan favorites, the album also includes a few new songs, one being the stand out piano ballad “Break,” which shadows influence from Nilsson’s classic hit “Without You.” Brad explains “the beauty of this album is that even though a lot of my fans may know the songs already, it’s going to be a brand new listening experience for them. They are going to hear these songs as if for the first time.” Skistimas’ mind rests knowing songs like “Wherever” and “The Lighting” finally sound like he had always envisioned.
Brad is furthering the expansion of Five Times August with a new concrete touring band. After spending the last three years touring solo, Skistimas is changing gears on the road, transitioning his intimate set list into a full on concert experience. Five Times August will be on several national tours surrounding the release of “Life As A Song,” in stores October 13th, 2009.
Break
Five Times August Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I feel empty when I breathe
Inside this room I can't find you
If I could turn it off, I would switch you on
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I hear your voice when I'm alone, but it's not real
Now I can't call this place my home
You were my bed, you were my future
You were my kids, you were my muse
If you were next to me, I would keep you on repeat
And I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
You'd never break
In "Break," Five Times August sings about the pain and emptiness that comes from losing a loved one. The singer feels lost and alone after their partner leaves, and they long for their presence. The first verse describes how the singer feels empty and unable to find their partner even though they're in the same room. They wish they could turn off their own pain and turn on their partner's presence instead. The second verse reveals just how much their partner meant to them - they were a source of comfort, someone they dreamed of building a future with, and a beloved muse. The chorus presents a picture of the singer's ideal relationship, one in which they would be able to completely protect and care for their partner. They promise to heal their partner's wounds and take away their pain, saying that they'd do whatever it takes to keep their love intact.
Line by Line Meaning
You're leaving everything to me, but I don't need it
You're passing on everything to me, but it's of no value to me.
Now I feel empty when I breathe
Now I feel hollow and incomplete with every breath I take.
Inside this room I can't find you
I'm unable to locate you in this room.
If I could turn it off, I would switch you on
If it were possible to reverse, I would bring you back to life.
I would steal you, hide and heal you, Take the bad from every feeling
I would rob you from the negativity that's affected you and help you recover.
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
I would speak words that will uplift you, restore confidence and bring joy to your heart.
And I would move you, never lose you, And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would give you a reason to live and protect you through every circumstance, even if it means hurting me.
I would put it all away, if you were here today
I would give it all up if you were still alive with me.
You'd never break
I won't allow you to crumble under the pressures of life, because I would be strong for both of us.
I hear your voice when I'm alone, but it's not real
I find myself talking to you in my head, but I'm aware that it's just my imagination.
Now I can't call this place my home
Without you, this place no longer feels like a home.
You were my bed, you were my future, You were my kids, you were my muse
You were everything to me - my lover, my soulmate, my partner, my inspiration.
If you were next to me, I would keep you on repeat
If you were here, I would make sure you're always close by and never leave my sight for long.
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lello Fossati
You're leaving everything to me, but I don't need it
Now I feel empty when I breathe
Inside this room I can't find you
If I could turn it off, I would switch you on
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I hear your voice when I'm alone, but it's not real
Now I can't call this place my home
You were my bed, you were my future
You were my kids, you were my muse
If you were next to me, I would keep you on repeat
And I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
You'd never break
Lello Fossati
You're leaving everything to me, but I don't need it
Now I feel empty when I breathe
Inside this room I can't find you
If I could turn it off, I would switch you on
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I hear your voice when I'm alone, but it's not real
Now I can't call this place my home
You were my bed, you were my future
You were my kids, you were my muse
If you were next to me, I would keep you on repeat
And I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
You'd never break
MrsPrestoPronto
I love this song with all my heart. It describes how I felt a while ago, and it has helped me a lot. Thank you so much for writing this little piece of art!
ThereIsNoTry
Here I am 11 years later discovering this genius. I've been listening to him for hours.
Richmond Hill
And that my dear friends is the personification of the word “amazing”.
Brad, thank you for sharing your mega talents with us. Thank you especially for all your amazing videos during the freedom convoy. You stand so tall, like a beacon of light, during some very rough times. You bring us hope in the most beautiful ways, as only you can. You not only fill us with joy, but also with hope. On behalf of all, my fellow Canadians, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Canada and the United States of America, friends, forever. Your support means everything to us. 🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸. We will always have your back.
gordon peden
Talented AF Just "Discovered" 5XAugust (Viva Frei told me ) You've been around for a while my talented friend. God Bless America and God bless you. From the land of Oz. (Australia) 👏🙌👐
Detective Stabler SVU
Yep I just got here cuz he's on with Viva n Barnes right now.
Gayle Stephenson
INCREDIBLE MUSIC VIDEO.... IT WILL BREAK YOU AND LIFE YOU UP.... you are a genius, young man. never stop what you are doing...
Olivia Williams
this is one of my favorite songs of all time, and this music video givees me goosebumps.
Gail OOO
It still hits me every time I hear this song...
Sophie Sp101
Wish I would have herd this so long ago, love it
Lello Fossati
You're leaving everything to me, but I don't need it
Now I feel empty when I breathe
Inside this room I can't find you
If I could turn it off, I would switch you on
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I hear your voice when I'm alone, but it's not real
Now I can't call this place my home
You were my bed, you were my future
You were my kids, you were my muse
If you were next to me, I would keep you on repeat
And I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
I would steal you, hide and heal you
Take the bad from every feeling
I would say the only words that you would want to hear
And I would move you, never lose you
And if you fell I'd take the bruise
I would put it all away, if you were hear today
You'd never break
You'd never break