Head Over Heels
Japanese Breakfast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And talk about the weather
But traditions I can trace
Against the child in your face
Won't escape my intention
You keep your distance
With a system of touch
And gentle persuasion
'Cause I need you this much
You're wasting my time
You're just wasting time
Something happens, and I'm head over heels
I never find out 'til I'm head over heels
Something happens and I'm head over heels
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Don't, don't throw it away
I made a fire, and watching it burn
I thought of your future
With one foot in the past now
Just how long can this last
Have you no ambition
My mother and my brothers
Used to breathing clean air
And dreaming of my doctor
It's hard to be a man
When there's a gun in your hand
I feel sorrow
Something happens, and I'm head over heels
I never find out 'til I'm head over heels
Something happens and I'm head over heels
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Don't, don't throw it away
In "Head Over Heels" by Japanese Breakfast, the singer longs to be alone with someone and to engage in small talk, but societal expectations prevent her from doing so. She notes how even though she is drawn to this person who keeps their distance with gentle persuasion, she feels like her time is being wasted. The lyrics then shift to a darker tone as she thinks of the future and how difficult it is to be a man with a gun in their hand. She feels sorrow for the situation and doesn't want her heart to be broken.
The song deals with the confusion that often comes with falling for someone unexpectedly. The chorus repeats the titular phrase, "Something happens and I'm head over heels," as the singer tries to make sense of her mixed emotions. The song is ultimately about the fear of vulnerability and how it can lead to missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanted to be with you alone
I desire to spend some quality time with you
And talk about the weather
I want to engage in casual conversation with you
But traditions I can trace
I recognize the societal norms that exist between us
Against the child in your face
Despite your youthful appearance
Won't escape my intention
I remain determined to pursue a relationship with you
You keep your distance
You maintain an emotional barrier between us
With a system of touch
You only engage in physical contact as a method of communication
And gentle persuasion
You utilize soft-spoken, persuasive tactics with me
I'm lost in admiration
I am in awe of your qualities and characteristics
'Cause I need you this much
Because I am so deeply infatuated with you
You're wasting my time
Your actions and behavior towards me are taking up my time and energy
You're just wasting time
You are not making any progress towards a relationship with me
Something happens, and I'm head over heels
I experience a sudden rush of emotions for you
I never find out 'til I'm head over heels
I am often caught off guard by these feelings
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Please be gentle with my heart and emotions
Don't, don't throw it away
Do not disregard or treat my feelings as insignificant
I made a fire, and watching it burn
I kindled a flame and observed it as it grew stronger
I thought of your future
You were on my mind as I pondered your aspirations
With one foot in the past now
You cling to your history and past experiences
Just how long can this last
I am unsure of how much longer our relationship can continue in its current form
Have you no ambition
I question your lack of motivation and drive for the future
My mother and my brothers
My family members
Used to breathing clean air
They live a lifestyle that is not polluted or tainted
And dreaming of my doctor
They hope for my success in becoming a physician
It's hard to be a man
It can be challenging to fulfill societal expectations of masculinity
When there's a gun in your hand
When you possess a weapon, power dynamics can shift
I feel sorrow
I am overcome with sadness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Curt Smith, Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rain
I wanted to be with you alone
And talk about the weather
But traditions I can trace against the child in your face
Won't escape my attention
You keep your distance with a system of touch
And gentle persuasion
I'm lost in admiration, could I need you this much?
Oh, you're wasting my time
You're just, just, just wasting time
Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out till I'm head over heels
Something happens and I'm head over heels
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Don't, don't, don't throw it away
Throw it away
Throw it away
I made a fire and watching it burn
Thought of your future
With one foot in the past, now, just how long will it last?
No, no, no, have you no ambition?
My mother and my brothers used to breathe in clean in air
And dreaming I'm a doctor
It's hard to be a man when there's a gun in your hand
Oh, I feel so
Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out till I'm head over heels
Something happens and I'm head over heels
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Don't, don't, don't throw it away
And this my four-leaf clover
I'm on the line, one open mind
This is my four-leaf clover
in my head, my mind's eye
(La, la, la, la, la) one little boy, wandering by
(La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la) funny how
Time flies
Iridescent Peasant
One of my favorite songs of all time (: Lovely cover - ya'll did it justice.
יהונתן Rooftop Signals
It's great, even though i'm pretty biased when it comes to Tears For fears. But this is like a breath of fresh air to the song for me. Excellent job Japanese Breakfast
Ultimate Massive
I am an absolutely ruthless critic when it comes to cover songs and I fully approve of this. Nicely done.
Rodney Lo
Just heard your song in the movie If You Were The Last. Great cover and very appropriate for the scene. Thanks!❤
yoink🧡
one of my favorite covers of all time. that photo of her is beyond amazing, too
Jason Yeomans
I've often sung this diddy to myself and at the same tempo. Delighted to see it professional done!
Thomass
Love the original and this was very delightful to listen to
ALPHA
She absolutely smoked this cover tho👀
DJIronMike
Saw her do this live - the live version was great and had the tempo and vibe of the original - this obviously way slower but still fantastic - love the picture of her with a Sapporo lol
Omar Dogknife Martinez
I didn't notice that till now. Haha!