Moreland first debuted his name as a part of the Black Gold Band from 2006-2010, with a 2006 full-band demo, 2008's Endless Oklahoma Sky, and 2009's solo demo session falling in that time span before he decided to retire the Black Gold Band name. John continues to write and record music, and in 2010 will release Things I Can't Control under his own name. Black Gold Band guitarist Wayne Wedge has returned to perform secondary guitar duties, and producer Stephen Egerton (ALL, Descendents) has been playing drums on the studio sessions. In 2010, Moreland was featured on the multi-musician studio project The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton, along with members of Drag the River, Descendents, MxPx, and many others.
Break My Heart Sweetly
John Moreland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Courtin' empty dreams
I worshipped at the altar of losing everything
And the guard I held together
Was losing all its shape
And in my head you looked so gorgeous
It's keeping me awake
So let me down easy
Break my heart sweetly
Like you always do
I guess I can't let go
'Til you wreck me completely
Break my heart sweetly
Drape me in blue
I was never scared of nothin'
Thought I had a home
Life went and broke me open
So I carried it alone
I'm findin' all this well-worn sadness
I never knew I kept
And I still chase you into heartache
Every time you take a step
There's a scar on my soul
So let me down easy
Break my heart sweetly
Like you always do
I guess I can't let go
'Til you wreck me completely
Break my heart sweetly
Drape me in blue
I swore the days were over
Of courtin' empty dreams
I worshipped at the altar
Of losing everything
But you had a halo made of diamonds
Resting on your head
I should be dealing with my demons
But I'm dodgin' them instead
There's a scar on my soul
So let me down easy
Break my heart sweetly
Like you always do
I guess I can't let go
'Til you wreck me completely
Break my heart sweetly
Drape me in blue
In "Break My Heart Sweetly," John is expressing his vulnerability and the difficulty of letting go. He has had a tough time and is finding it challenging to move on. He explained that he thought the days of having expectations and dreams were over, but he realized he still kept them. He admits that he was never scared of anything but life broke him open, and he had to carry everything all by himself. His guard was slowly losing shape, and he, at times, chases her into heartache every time he thinks of her.
He then pleads with his love to break his heart sweetly, let him down easy, and drape him in blue. He recognizes that there is a scar on his soul, and he knows it'll take time to heal it. She wrecks him completely, but he can't let go until she does it again. John acknowledges that his love has a halo made of diamonds, and though he should be dealing with his demons, he's still avoiding them.
Overall, the song is about understanding that the relationship has turned sour but struggling to leave entirely due to the strong emotional attachment that he has for her. He recognizes that it'll take time to heal and move on, but for now, he wants her to break his heart gently, and he'll be draped in blue.
Line by Line Meaning
I swore the days were over
I thought I was done with chasing after unfulfilled dreams.
Courtin' empty dreams
Pursuing goals that ultimately lead to disappointment.
I worshipped at the altar of losing everything
I was accepting of and used to losing all that I had.
And the guard I held together
The facade of strength I maintained.
Was losing all its shape
Was starting to crumble and reveal my vulnerability.
And in my head you looked so gorgeous
Although I knew you were not good for me, I couldn't help but see you in the best light.
It's keeping me awake
I can't get you out of my mind, and it's causing me distress.
There's a scar on my soul
I have a deep emotional wound from past experiences.
So let me down easy
If you're going to hurt me again, please do it in a gentle way.
Break my heart sweetly
If you're going to end things, make it as easy as possible for me.
Like you always do
I know you have a history of hurting me, so I'm not surprised by this.
I guess I can't let go
Despite everything, I still care about you and can't move on.
'Til you wreck me completely
I won't be able to let go until you cause enough pain to force me to do so.
Drape me in blue
Wrap me up in sadness and melancholy.
I was never scared of nothin'
I used to be fearless and confident.
Thought I had a home
I was under the impression that I had stability and security.
Life went and broke me open
Life events left me raw and exposed.
So I carried it alone
I held all of my troubles within, unwilling to share with others.
I'm findin' all this well-worn sadness
I'm realizing that I've been holding onto sadness for a long time.
I never knew I kept
I wasn't aware of how much sadness I was carrying with me.
And I still chase you into heartache
Despite knowing that you will only bring pain, I can't help but pursue a relationship with you.
Every time you take a step
Every little move you make draws me in deeper and deeper.
But you had a halo made of diamonds
You were like an angel in my eyes, even though you weren't good for me.
Resting on your head
You carried yourself with an air of superiority and grace that I found hard to resist.
I should be dealing with my demons
Rather than focusing on you, I should be addressing my own emotional struggles.
But I'm dodgin' them instead
I'm avoiding my own problems by getting caught up in this problematic relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN MORELAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind