Breaking Down
I Prevail Lyrics


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I think I think too much
I'm a little bit paranoid, I think I'm breaking
Maybe it's in my blood
Got a pain that I can't avoid, I think I'm breaking down

Hate, every single second, minute, hour every day
Person in the mirror, they won't let me feel a thing
Keep me focused on my problems, I'm addicted to the pain
(Everybody's out to get you)

I guess I never noticed, how it came creeping in
My enemy emotion, but I can't sink or swim
I say I'm feeling hopeless
They give me medicine
They give me medicine
They give me medicine

I think, I think too much
I'm a little bit paranoid, I think I'm breaking
Maybe it's in my blood
Got a pain that I can't avoid, I think I'm breaking
Down (I think I'm breaking)
Down (I think I'm breaking)
I think, I think too much
I'm a little bit paranoid, I think I'm breaking down

Lies, every time they ask me, I just tell em that I'm fine
Try to hide my demons but they only multiply
Keep me runnin' from the voices on repeat inside my mind
(Everybody fucking hates you)

I guess I never noticed, how it came creeping in
My enemy emotion, but I can't sink or swim
I say I'm feeling hopeless
But no one's listening
But no one's listening
But no one's listening

I think I think too much
I'm a little bit paranoid, I think I'm breaking
Maybe it's in my blood
Got a pain that I can't avoid, I think I'm breaking
Down (I think I'm breaking)
Down (I think I'm breaking)
I think, I think too much
I'm a little bit paranoid, I think I'm breaking down

I don't really like myself
I don't really like myself
I don't really like myself
I don't really like myself





I think I'm breaking down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Breaking Down" by I Prevail portray the struggles of struggling with mental health issues like paranoia, anxiety, depression, and self-loathing. The song tries to express the constant battle that individuals with mental illness face, where they struggle to control their thoughts and emotions. The song opens with the line "I think I think too much" which goes on to indicate that the singer overthinks a lot and finds it hard to control his mind. The chorus repeats the lines "I think I'm breaking down" suggesting the severity of the situation and that the singer is on the verge of collapse.


The following verse portrays the singer's inner conflicts, where he is in a constant battle with his emotions. Pretending to be fine and hiding his emotions keeps his demons brewing and growing. The recurring lines "keep me running from the voices on repeat inside my mind" reflect the perpetual struggle with intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, and anxiety. The lines "My enemy emotion, but I can't sink or swim" suggest the helplessness of the singer. The song concludes with the line "I don't really like myself," which points at the self-loathing nature of individuals with mental illness.


Fact 1: "Breaking Down" was written by I Prevail's lead singer, Eric Vanlerberghe. In a statement, he described the song as "one of the more vulnerable songs" that he has ever written.
Fact 2: The song is included on I Prevail's second studio album titled Trauma, which released in 2019.
Fact 3: The song was initially released as a single on 29 March 2019, prior to the album's release.
Fact 4: The song is one of the most lyrically vulnerable tracks on the album, showcasing the band's evolution from their earlier heavy sound to a more melodic approach.
Fact 5: The music video for "Breaking Down" was directed by Ben Proulx and released on 17 April 2019 on the band's official YouTube channel.
Fact 6: The song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, becoming one of the band's most successful songs.
Fact 7: The song also charted at number 17 on the Billboard Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart.
Fact 8: The song's success on the charts and among fans earned I Prevail a nomination for the Best Metal Performance award at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020.
Fact 9: The song was inspired by the band's experiences on their previous tours and the emotional struggles they faced while on the road.
Fact 10: Eric Vanlerberghe, the lead singer and writer of the song, has been open about his mental health struggles, which inspired the song's themes.


Chords: The chords for "Breaking Down" are not readily available as the song's instrumental section has a lot of layers and intricacies.


Line by Line Meaning

I think I think too much
I tend to overthink things.


I'm a little bit paranoid, I think I'm breaking
I'm worried and might be reaching my breaking point.


Maybe it's in my blood
Perhaps this feeling is inherent in me.


Got a pain that I can't avoid, I think I'm breaking down
I have an agonizing feeling that I can't shake off.


Person in the mirror, they won't let me feel a thing
I'm numb and can't express my feelings.


Keep me focused on my problems, I'm addicted to the pain
I get too caught up with my issues, and I can't stop feeling the hurt.


(Everybody's out to get you)
It feels like the whole world is against me.


My enemy emotion, but I can't sink or swim
I'm struggling with my feelings, but I can't seem to deal with them effectively.


They give me medicine
Doctors have prescribed medication to cope with my anxiety/depression.


Lies, every time they ask me, I just tell em that I'm fine
I often pretend that everything is okay, even though it's not.


Try to hide my demons but they only multiply
I attempt to conceal my problems, but they seem to become worse.


Keep me running from the voices on repeat inside my mind
I can't escape from negative thoughts in my head, and it's consuming me.


(Everybody fucking hates you)
It feels like everyone despises me, and I can't escape the negative feeling.


But no one's listening
Even though I'm confessing my problems, nobody seems to understand or care.


I don't really like myself
I have low self-esteem and struggle to accept myself.


I think I'm breaking down
I'm overwhelmed and hitting my breaking point.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Tyler Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jasonrobertson9637

The loudest cry for help is the one you never hear.

It's hard to explain depression and anxiety to people who don't suffer, but I think this song nailed it.

@hansflammenwerfer4710

I agree on the fact that it's (nearly) impossible to describe to people what it feels like. It's a great song and an amazing video i can somewhat relate to, but to be honest it only shows a small part of this sickness. I've never seen a picture/video/song that truly shows what it feels like.
I imagine it'd be really disturbing to watch/hear.

@karlieguartafierro5236

This song completely nailed it

@kieranbradshaw5822

Really hit it on the head why i love this song so much it makes the silence be heard ❤

@zexsin2117

Not at all tbh

@Amanda-ev3lg

this comment is so damn relatable

61 More Replies...

@madprops4615

"I don't really like myself" hits me so hard every time. True depression can't be explained but this song comes very close

@Audithehuman

Honestly 👏👏👏👏

@TheJohnny928

Same ☺

@jerimysanborn3764

It does come close. The line "I think I think too much" is what it is

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