Break Your Heart
John Entwistle Lyrics


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The bravest thing I've ever done
Was to run away and hide
But not this time, not this time
And the weakest thing I've ever done
Was to stay right by your side
Just like this time, and every time
I couldn't tell you I was happy when you were gone
So I lied and said that I missed you when we were apart
I couldn't tell you, so I had to lead you on
But I didn't mean to break your heart

And if I always seem distracted
Like my minds somewhere else
That's because it's true, yes it's true
It's this stupid pride that makes me feel
Like I have to follow through
Even half-assedly, loving you
Why must I always speak in terms of cowardice?
When I guess I should have just come out and told you right from the start
Why must I always tell you all I want is this?
I guess 'cause I didn't want to break your heart

And you said
What'd you think that I was gonna do,
Curl up and die just because of you?
I'm not that weak, you know
What'd you think that I was gonna do,
Try to make you love me as much as I love you?
How could you be so low?
You arrogant man,
What do you think that I am?
My heart will be fine
Just stop wasting my time

And now I know that you will be okay, and that I got what I want
And that's rid of you
Good bye
And it's not cause I'll be missing you
That makes me fall apart
It's just that I didn't mean to break
No I didn't mean to break




No I didn't mean to break
Your heart

Overall Meaning

John Entwistle's "Break Your Heart" is a heartfelt song about the inner turmoil of a person as they contemplate ending a relationship. The song describes the two opposing feelings he has about the situation. On one hand, he is brave for finally deciding to leave the person he loves, but on the other hand, he feels like a weakling for not being able to stay by their side. The songwriter tells the person he's been dishonest with that he has never been forthright about his feelings, making it clear that he feels terrible about misleading them. The song's most poignant line is, "I couldn't tell you, so I had to lead you on, but I didn't mean to break your heart."


The song takes on a conversational, almost argumentative tone, as the singer struggles to justify their reason for leaving. There are elements of pride and insecurity in the lyrics that resonate with listeners, especially those who have had similar experiences in their relationships. The crux of the song occurs when the person being left challenges the singer for their arrogance and condescending attitudes. But the singer responds with a definitive statement that he is leaving because it's what he wants, not because he's being forced to. The song represents a common sentiment: that breaking someone's heart may be the hardest thing to do, but sometimes it's necessary to take control of one's life.


Line by Line Meaning

The bravest thing I've ever done
Admitting that I'm afraid to confront you


Was to run away and hide
I've avoided telling you the truth by bottling up my feelings


But not this time, not this time
I can't keep deceiving you any longer


And the weakest thing I've ever done
Pretending that I'm happy and staying with you when I'm not


Was to stay right by your side
I've been cowardly by not leaving you


Just like this time, and every time
I've repeated this mistake in every relationship


I couldn't tell you I was happy when you were gone
I haven't been honest about how I really feel when you're not around


So I lied and said that I missed you when we were apart
I've covered up my true emotions by pretending to miss you


I couldn't tell you, so I had to lead you on
I've been stringing you along because I'm afraid to be honest


But I didn't mean to break your heart
I never intended to hurt you, but my actions have caused you pain


And if I always seem distracted
My mind is often preoccupied with thoughts of how to end things with you


Like my mind's somewhere else
I'm mentally checked out of this relationship


That's because it's true, yes it's true
I'm not lying when I say I'm not fully invested in this


It's this stupid pride that makes me feel
I'm too prideful to admit that we aren't compatible


Like I have to follow through
I feel obligated to keep up appearances for the sake of our relationship


Even half-assedly, loving you
I'm not fully committed to loving you the way you deserve


Why must I always speak in terms of cowardice?
I'm ashamed of my inability to be honest with you


When I guess I should have just come out and told you right from the start
I regret not being truthful with you from the beginning


Why must I always tell you all I want is this?
I've led you on by pretending that I want the same things as you


I guess 'cause I didn't want to break your heart
I was afraid of hurting you by being honest


And you said
You challenged me on my behavior


What'd you think that I was gonna do,
You expressed disbelief at my cowardice


Curl up and die just because of you?
You refused to let my actions affect you so deeply


I'm not that weak, you know
You asserted your own strength


What'd you think that I was gonna do,
You called out my manipulative behavior


Try to make you love me as much as I love you?
You refused to participate in my games


How could you be so low?
You berated me for my behavior


You arrogant man,
You insulted me for my conceit


What do you think that I am?
You questioned my view of you


My heart will be fine
You assured me of your own strength


Just stop wasting my time
You demanded that I stop playing games


And now I know that you will be okay, and that I got what I want
I'm relieved that you'll be fine and that I can move on


And that's rid of you
I'm happy to be free of this relationship


Goodbye
I'm officially ending things


And it's not cause I'll be missing you
I'm not saying goodbye because I'll miss you


That makes me fall apart
I'm not emotional about ending things with you


It's just that I didn't mean to break
I didn't intend to hurt you


No I didn't mean to break
I never wanted to cause you pain


No I didn't mean to break
I wish things had turned out differently


Your heart
I'm sorry for the hurt I caused you




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN PAGE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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