Masters at Work is a house music production team from the United States, co… Read Full Bio ↴Masters at Work is a house music production team from the United States, consisting of Little Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzales. They are also known as Nuyorican Soul.

Kenny "Dope" Gonzales loaned out the name Masters At Work to Todd Terry who released two singles (Alright Alright and Dum Dum Cry) in 1987 under this moniker.

Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Masters at Work Lyrics

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St. Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart
When you were young and on your own
how did it feel to be alone?
I was always thinking
games that I was playing
trying to make the best of my time

But only love can break your heart

try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
but if your world should fall apart

I have a friend I've never seen
He hides his head inside a dream
Someone should call him and see if he can come out,
Try to lose the gang that he's found

But only love can break your heart
try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
but if your world should fall apart

I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking

I was always thinking, games that I was playing.
I was always thinking, games that I was playing.
I was always thinking, I was always thinking.
I was always thinking, I was always thinking.
I - I - I - I - I was always thinking, games that I was playing.
I was always thinking, games that I was playing.

I was always thinking, games that I was playing.
I was always thinking, games that I was playing.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" by St. Etienne (originally sung by Neil Young) explore the emotional vulnerability that comes with love and the impact it can have on one's life. The song delves into the feelings of loneliness, introspection, and the power that love holds over our hearts.

In the first verse, the singer reflects on their youth and the experience of being alone. They question how it felt to be in that state, suggesting that it was a time of deep contemplation. It highlights the games they played and the efforts they made to make the most of their time, implying a sense of trying to fill the void of loneliness.

The chorus emphasizes the central theme of the song: love's ability to break one's heart. It warns to be cautious and certain from the start of a relationship because only love has the potential to bring such emotional pain. However, the lyrics offer a glimmer of hope by acknowledging that even if the world collapses around you, love can still be a powerful force for healing.

The second verse introduces a friend the singer has never met, who seems to be hiding away and withdrawing from the world. The lyrics suggest reaching out to this friend, encouraging them to leave behind the negative influences of a group they might have fallen in with.

Repeating the chorus once again reminds us of the song's message that only love can break your heart, but it also implies that despite this risk, it is still an essential part of life. The repetition of the line "I was always thinking" at the end resembles a personal mantra, signifying the constant contemplation and reflection on love's complexities and its impact on the singer's life.

Overall, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" offers a candid exploration of the joys, challenges, and emotional vulnerability that come with love. It encourages listeners to be cautious, reflective, and willing to take risks while also acknowledging the potential for heartbreak and the power of love to heal even in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

When you were young and on your own
During the time of your youth when you were independent and had no one to rely on

how did it feel to be alone?
What emotions did you experience when you were by yourself?

I was always thinking
My mind was constantly occupied with thoughts

games that I was playing
Engaging in various activities or strategies to make the most of my time

trying to make the best of my time
Attempting to utilize my time in the most effective and productive way possible

But only love can break your heart
However, it is only love that has the power to cause emotional pain

try to be sure right from the start
Strive to ensure emotional security and stability from the beginning of a relationship

Yes, only love can break your heart
Indeed, it is solely love that possesses the ability to cause heartache

but if your world should fall apart
Although, in the event that your entire world collapses and crumbles

I have a friend I've never seen
I possess a companion whom I have never encountered in person

He hides his head inside a dream
He conceals his thoughts and emotions within a fantasy world

Someone should call him and see if he can come out
Perhaps someone should reach out to him and ascertain if he is able to detach himself from his current situation

Try to lose the gang that he's found
Attempt to disassociate himself from the group of individuals he has become involved with

I was always thinking
My mind was constantly preoccupied

I was always thinking
I was consistently engaged in deep contemplation

I was always thinking
Thoughts constantly occupied my mind

I was always thinking
My thoughts were neverending and continuous

I was always thinking
My mind was persistently filled with thoughts

I was always thinking
Contemplation was a perpetual state for me

I was always thinking
Thoughts were constantly running through my mind

I was always thinking, games that I was playing
My thoughts were constantly occupied with the various activities or strategies I was pursuing

I was always thinking, games that I was playing
Contemplation of the games or tactics I engaged in consumed my thoughts

I was always thinking, I was always thinking
My mind was persistently preoccupied with thoughts, without pause

I was always thinking, I was always thinking
Thoughts were continuously occupying my mind, without respite

I - I - I - I - I was always thinking, games that I was playing
It was me, repeatedly and incessantly, consumed by thoughts of the activities or strategies I pursued

I was always thinking, games that I was playing
My mind was perpetually engrossed in thoughts of the games or tactics I employed

I was always thinking, games that I was playing
Contemplation of the activities or strategies I pursued consumed my thoughts without exception

I was always thinking, games that I was playing
Thoughts were constantly occupied with the various activities or strategies I engaged in

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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