Broken
Matt Nathanson Lyrics

How ironic it all seems because I remember you telling me
The situation is ironic because the singer recalls the times when the person told him/her about other lovers running out of things to say, and they both agreed it wouldn't happen to them.

About other lovers running out of words to say to each other
The person had talked about other couples who got bored with each other and had nothing more to say.

And how beautiful you thought it was and I agreed that
Both the singer and the person had thought that it was beautiful when other couples ran out of things to say to each other.

Would never happen to you and me
They both believed that they would never have such a problem.

So here we sit in silence, searching our heads for common ground
They are now sitting in silence, searching for something to say and a common interest they can share.

We've rehashed the past and beaten it down
They have talked about their past a lot and have exhausted the topics.

Left us with nothing, no present, no future
As a result, they have nothing to talk about, no connection in the present, and no hope for the future.

I still read your letter and all that evil makes me sick
The artist still reads a letter from the person, and the negativity in it makes him/her feel disgusted.

But this is regimented pain and it gives me the illusion
However, the pain they are feeling feels systematic but gives them the illusion that they have lived.

That I have lived
The pain they feel makes them feel alive and not numb.

I was the one that pushed you off the pedestal I put you on
The singer pushed the person off the pedestal he/she had put the person on, suggesting that the singer had unrealistically high expectations of the person.

And with my arms still outstretched I watched you fall
The artist watched the person fall while still reaching out to them, suggesting that the artist wanted to save the person but could not.

And break apart like glass on the highway
The person broke down completely, like glass shattering on the highway.

I realized my mistake a bit too late
The singer realizes they acted too late to avoid the situation.

Because I'd never risk picking up the pieces
The singer would not risk trying to fix things and pick up the pieces.

Jesus look at them all
The shattered pieces are numerous.

I'd never risk picking up all those goddamn pieces
The artist repeats that they would not try to fix things and pick up the pieces, suggesting that it is too overwhelming.

Because I lose control at the sight of my own blood
The singer feels helpless and overwhelmed by their own emotions, like losing control when looking at their own blood.

I still read your letter, and all that bullshit makes me sick
The singer continues to read the person's letter, but the negativity and lies make the singer feel sick.

But this is regimented pain and it gives me the illusion
Despite this, the systematic pain feeds the artist's need to feel alive, even if it's an illusion.

That I have lived
The pain the artist feels makes them feel alive, even though it's an illusion.