The track details the dark side of stardom, as your life is never truly private and all your action play-out in the public domain. The music video prominently features gossipy headlines from real-life low points for both artists.
“Breakdown” was first previewed in the trailer for the Netflix series “Titletown High,” which includes the song on its Soundtrack.
The harrowing visual opens on closeups of Lovato and G-Eazy as headlines about current events pertaining to them flash by, from Lovato’s overdose to speculation about the rapper’s personal life. The words soon cover their faces. The song details being in the middle of a breakdown and the need for a friend to help them through harrowing times, as Lovato’s chorus conveys.
The video opens with some real-life headlines and controversies that the two artists have been at the center of during their careers, including Lovato's drug overdose and G-Eazy's legal troubles.
The song delves into the painful challenges both musicians have faced, and the dark places its led them to, as G-Eazy makes clear in the opening lines from his first verse: "Been fighting my demons, but they ain't fighting fair/ But I keep saying 'Everything's alright, I swear'/ All alone in a dark space, ain't no light in there/ What's f**ked up is I might actually like it there."
Ahead of the release, Lovato shared a video with G-Eazy to Instagram in which they lip-sync to their own song in what appears to be Lovato's back yard. The video was reshared by fans in anticipation of the new song.
Breakdown
G-Eazy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I miss days where I used to feel like me (you know)
'Cause I've been trapped in all the freedom
Throw my heart up at the ceiling
I take another drink so I can kill the voice of reason
I got big plans but none of them feel like mine (too much is too much)
You know
But I keep sayin' that everything is all right, I swear
All alone in a dark space, ain't no light in there
What's fucked up is I might actually like it there
Pouring everything on this paper my pen is on
Feel like I'm breaking in places they put the pressure on
I'm the one in my circle they all depending on
To do it though I need these drugs I've become dependent on
Someone tried to confront me now we don't get along
In my business, they trippin' off what I'm sippin' on
They can't reach the pedestal that my head is on
But truthfully I've been breaking down, just finally lettin' on (uh)
Oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby (yeah)
I need you, I need you (I got you)
Oh, I'm in the middle of a storm now, baby
I need you, I need you to come over (I got you)
Tell me this will be over (uh)
Over soon (yeah)
Oh, oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby
I need you (I got you), I need you, I
Uh, crowded space but I feel alone
Eyes on me at all times in a judgement zone
Somewhere on the road fucked up but I'm missin' home
No rest for the wicked, work cut out, put a pillow on
Anywhere, from misunderstood they try to patronize
They judgin' my ways, but won't empathize
You couldn't walk in my shoes, I'm not tellin' lies
Since 21, I've been runnin' a whole enterprise
Provide for too many people, I can't jeopardize
But I've been breakin' in half to two separate lives
Mister Hodges died lookin' at Jekyll's eyes
I start becoming somebody I can't recognize
Oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby (uh, you know)
I need you, I need you (I need you too)
Oh, I'm in the middle of a storm now, baby
I need you, I need you to come over (I got you)
Tell me this will be over (uh)
Over soon (yeah)
Oh, oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby
I need you (ayy), I need you (whoa), I (uh)
Oh, I need you (I got you)
Oh, I need you (I got you)
So come over
Tell me this will be over (uh)
Over soon (yeah)
Oh, oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby
I need you, I need you (I got you)
I got big plans but none of them feel like mine (you know)
And I miss days where I used to feel like me
The lyrics of G-Eazy and Demi Lovato’s song, “Breakdown,” discuss the challenges the artists face while they struggle to find themselves amidst fame and fortune. The song depicts how achieving success can bring challenges and ultimately lead to a sense of emptiness. G-Eazy claims that he has big plans, but none of them feel like his own, as he is always trapped by expectations set by others. He misses the days when he felt like himself before he was consumed by fame.
G-Eazy also reveals his alcohol and drug abuse, stating that he takes another drink to kill the voice of reason. He has become dependent on drugs to cope with the pressure that comes with fame and admits that he is breaking down, just finally letting it on. Demi Lovato joins in the chorus and claims she is in the middle of a storm and needs someone to come over and tell her that this will be over soon.
The second verse discusses how G-Eazy feels alone despite being surrounded by people all the time. He expresses that people are constantly watching him on the road, and he is always under judgment. G-Eazy highlights his personal struggle with balancing his enterprise and taking care of many people who depend on him, which makes it harder for him to take time for himself. G-Eazy then makes an allusion to the novel “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” by mentioning how he is becoming somebody that he cannot recognize, which signifies his split between his real and his public self.
Overall, the lyrics of “Breakdown” express how fame and success do not guarantee happiness and can drive individuals to their breaking point.
Line by Line Meaning
I got big plans but none of them feel like mine (yeah)
Despite having ambitions, I feel like I'm not following my own path and these plans do not resonate with me
And I miss days where I used to feel like me (you know)
I reminisce about a time when I felt like myself and want to reclaim that sense of identity
'Cause I've been trapped in all the freedom
Ironically, too many options and choices have left me feeling trapped and unsure of what to do
Throw my heart up at the ceiling
I'm feeling overwhelmed and tossing my heart up at the ceiling, begging for answers or guidance
I take another drink so I can kill the voice of reason
I'm numbing my thoughts and emotions with alcohol to silence my inner critic and doubts
Uh, they fightin' my demons but they ain't fightin' fair
My personal struggles and issues feel like an unfair fight that I can't seem to overcome
But I keep sayin' that everything is all right, I swear
I'm trying to convince myself and others that I'm fine, even if I know deep down that I'm not
All alone in a dark space, ain't no light in there
I feel isolated and lost in a bleak situation and I can't see a way out
What's fucked up is I might actually like it there
Despite the negative aspects, I may have developed a strange attachment or comfort to this dark place
Pouring everything on this paper my pen is on
I'm expressing my thoughts and feelings through writing and pouring my heart out onto paper
Feel like I'm breaking in places they put the pressure on
I'm struggling and reaching a breaking point due to the stress and expectations placed upon me by others
I'm the one in my circle they all depending on
I'm relied upon and expected to take care of everyone in my social circle
To do it though I need these drugs I've become dependent on
I've become addicted to substances that help me cope with the pressure and responsibilities placed on me
Someone tried to confront me now we don't get along
A disagreement or confrontation with someone has irreparably damaged our relationship
In my business, they trippin' off what I'm sippin' on
People are gossiping or concerned about my substance use and it's affecting my reputation and relationships
They can't reach the pedestal that my head is on
Others can't understand or relate to the pressure and expectations I'm facing
But truthfully I've been breaking down, just finally lettin' on (uh)
I've been struggling and keeping it inside, but I'm finally admitting to myself that I need help
Uh, crowded space but I feel alone
Even though I'm surrounded by people, I feel isolated and disconnected
Eyes on me at all times in a judgement zone
I'm constantly being watched and judged by others, contributing to my anxiety and stress
Somewhere on the road fucked up but I'm missin' home
I'm traveling or away from home, feeling lost and disconnected while yearning for familiarity and comfort
No rest for the wicked, work cut out, put a pillow on
I'm constantly busy and working hard, but struggling to relax and find peace
Anywhere, from misunderstood they try to patronize
People often misunderstand me and attempt to patronize or talk down to me
They judgin' my ways, but won't empathize
Others are quick to criticize my choices and actions, without attempting to understand my perspective
You couldn't walk in my shoes, I'm not tellin' lies
It's impossible to fully understand what I'm going through, but I'm being honest about my experiences
Since 21, I've been runnin' a whole enterprise
I've been managing a complex operation since a young age, adding to my stress and pressure
Provide for too many people, I can't jeopardize
I'm responsible for supporting and taking care of many people, and can't afford to fail or make mistakes
But I've been breakin' in half to two separate lives
I'm struggling to balance and integrate different aspects of my life, causing me to feel fragmented and overwhelmed
Mister Hodges died lookin' at Jekyll's eyes
A reference to the novel 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', suggesting that I may be struggling with conflicting or dual identities
I start becoming somebody I can't recognize
I feel like I'm losing myself or becoming someone I don't want to be
Oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby (yeah)
I'm experiencing a mental or emotional breakdown and need support
I need you, I need you (I got you)
I'm reaching out for help and support from a specific person, and they've indicated they're there for me
Oh, I'm in the middle of a storm now, baby
I'm facing a difficult situation and need help getting through it
Tell me this will be over (uh)
I need reassurance that things will get better and this difficult period will pass
Over soon (yeah)
I'm hopeful that the end of this stressful period is in sight
Oh, oh, I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby
I'm experiencing a mental or emotional breakdown and need someone to lean on
I need you (I got you), I need you, I
I deeply need the support and reassurance of this person to help me through this tough time
Oh, I need you (I got you)
I'm truly relying on this person for their support and presence in my life
So come over
I'm requesting the physical presence of this person to be with me through this tough time
Tell me this will be over (uh)
I need reassurance that things will get better and this difficult period will pass
I'm in the middle of a breakdown, baby
I'm experiencing a mental or emotional breakdown and need someone to lean on for support
I need you, I need you (I got you)
I'm deeply relying on this person's support to help me through this tough time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Caroline Pennell, Dakari Gwitira, Demetria Lovato, Gerald Gillum, Jay Stolar, Martin Hardie Coogan, Sean Cameron Meier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Demi Lovato
Thank you for sharing this song with me 🖤
victoria grey
I love you demi!!
manu
love you
DANNYthe3rd
👑
Jaye Hanash
I LOVE YOU DEMI
sitala
I love youuuuu
jordan
Love it!!
Demi Lovato be straight slayin' the game, no doubt! AUTHENTIC VIEWS gave her a boost, but her raw talent remains unchanged. she's holdin' it down like a true boss! Drop a thumbs up if you're vibin' with it, fam!
Norma F**СК МЕ - СНЕCK MY РR0FILЕ
We cannot lie G eazy has really not been afraid to show us a personal emotional side of him. Demi vocals go crazzzyyy
Inspiring tears
Also, Demi hasn’t been shy or afraid either. Every time I hear Dancing with the devil.. Omg gurl
Dani Foucault Ethridge
Sucks to see the ex you treated like crap having a baby with someone else ig 🤷