Later on, Levine admitted the song was in relation to the band’s frustration with their record label’s pressure on making more material for their debut album.
Harder to Breathe
Maroon 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So condescending unnecessarily critical
I have the tendency of getting very physical
So watch your step 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle
You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
The double vision I was seeing is finally clear
You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
You should know better you never listened to a word I said
Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Does it kill
Does it burn
Is it painful to learn
That it's me that has all the control
Does it thrill
Does it sting
When you feel what I bring
And you wish that you had me to hold
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
The lyrics of Maroon 5's song "Harder to Breathe" appear to be about a tumultuous relationship that has gone bad. The singer is frustrated with their partner's behavior and believes that they are unnecessarily critical and condescending towards him. He also admits to having a physical tendency but warns his partner to watch out because he could lash out at any point. The singer then goes on to describe the toll the relationship has taken on him by "draining him dry" and making him question why he is even still in it. He expresses a desire for his partner to leave and acknowledges the difficulty of the situation they are in.
The chorus of the song is a plea for understanding, as the singer compares their struggles in the relationship to a child's fear of a monster that haunts them in their dreams. The lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling suffocated and desperately needs air to breathe. The bridge of the song shifts the focus onto the partner, questioning whether they are aware of the harm they are causing and asking if they are feeling any pain themselves. The final chorus sees the singer once again reaching out for help and support, searching for someone to understand the difficulties they are facing.
Line by Line Meaning
How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable
I am offended that you criticize my actions as wrong or inappropriate
So condescending unnecessarily critical
You talk down to me and wrongly judge my actions or decisions
I have the tendency of getting very physical
Sometimes I become angry or aggressive and act out in a physical manner
So watch your step 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle
Be careful how you treat me, because if I become violent you'll need a miracle to escape unharmed
You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
You exhaust me emotionally and make me question my place in this relationship
The double vision I was seeing is finally clear
My confusion and uncertainty has been resolved and I now see clearly
You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
You desire to continue our relationship, but I want to end it
Not fit to fuckin' tread the ground I'm walking on
You are not worthy to be in my presence or share in my experiences
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
During times of loneliness or isolation, you will understand my feelings
There's no way we're gonna give up
We will continue on, despite the challenges we face
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
We are facing difficult obstacles, like a child facing a terrifying monster in their dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
I am struggling emotionally and it is becoming increasingly difficult to cope
What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
Your actions or behavior are causing confusion or chaos in my mind
You should know better you never listened to a word I said
You are at fault because you refuse to listen to me or take my advice
Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
You are experiencing anxiety or fear, causing you to clutch your pillow and sweat profusely
Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did
You long for someone to treat you the way I did, despite our issues and conflicts
Does it kill
Is it painful
Does it burn
Does it hurt
Is it painful to learn
Is it difficult or hurtful to gain knowledge or understanding
That it's me that has all the control
Realizing that I have all the power or control in this situation
Does it thrill
Is it exciting
Does it sting
Does it hurt or cause pain
When you feel what I bring
When you experience the emotions or sensations I create
And you wish that you had me to hold
You long to have me close and comfort you during difficult times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jesse Royal Carmichael, Ryan Michael Dusick, James B. Valentine, Michael Allen Madden, Adam Noah Levine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@person4l230
Lyrics:
How dare you say that my behavior's unacceptable
So condescending, unnecessarily critical
I have got the tendency of getting very physical
So watch your step 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle
You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
This double vision I was seeing is finally clear
You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
Not fit to fuckin' tread the ground that I am walking on
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
You should know better you never listened to a word I said
Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Does it kill
Does it burn
Is it painful to learn
That it's me that has all the control
Does it thrill
Does it sting
When you feel what I bring
And you wish that you had me to hold
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
@hunterlangley8287
Man, I miss this old sound. I know bands have to adapt and change, but this era of Maroon 5 really had something going for it.
@kayuanBM
Yeah, they actually played their instruments.
@rickthebaker9379
So true. Adam Lavigne on autotune grates my nerves. He has/had a nice voice.
@Ricardosilva-ns9fp
Triste mas é verdade.....
@rpggirl017
A little nostalgia is to blame. When a band is important when you're younger, it hits hard. So, when that band has to change, it's rough. Today, everything gets done with a heavy dose technology. Believe me, I feel it too.
@nobodythatyouknow305
Fr sad what it became
@slanetroyard92
Back when they had passion. This was the true maroon 5. I remember when I was a kid and this came out. It was on the radio and MTV constantly.
@ChrisMacal
yup i remember. oh the 2000s. born in 92 aswell
@slanetroyard92
@@ChrisMacal back when music and MTV were still simple. Nowadays it's all about following the latest trend and bs reality tv.
@katroyal6309
L