Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Neil Young/Musicfire.in Lyrics


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When you were young
And on your own
How did it feel to be alone?
I was always thinking of 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
What 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 down 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
What if your world should fall apart?

I have a friend I've never seen
He hides his head inside a dream

Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart




Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart

Overall Meaning

Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” is a poignant reminder of the fragility of our hearts in the midst of love, especially during our younger years. In the first verse, Young sets the stage by asking the listener how it felt to be alone when they were young and on their own. He then reminisces about the games he played as a way of making the best of his time. However, the chorus serves as a warning that despite our attempts to protect ourselves, only love has the power to break our hearts. He advises us to be sure right from the start, so we can avoid the heartbreak if possible. The second verse speaks about a friend Young has never seen before who hides his head inside his dreams. Here, he implores someone to reach out to him and try to help him lose the sadness that has enveloped him. The chorus then serves as a reminder that only love can break our hearts.


While on the surface, the song might seem straightforward, it has a deeper meaning. Young uses the lyrics to comment on the human condition, showing how we all long for love and connection but understand that it comes with the possibility of heartbreak. Also, the song is a commentary on the people in our lives we care about but never see or reach out to - the ones who are silently struggling with their thoughts and emotions within themselves.


Line by Line Meaning

When you were young
When you were younger and inexperienced


And on your own
And without anyone else's company or support


How did it feel to be alone?
How did you feel being by yourself?


I was always thinking of games
I was constantly preoccupied with various activities


That I was playing
That I was actively participating in


Trying to make the best of my time
Attempting to utilize my time in the most effective manner possible


But only love can break your heart
However, solely being in love is capable of hurting you deeply


Try to be sure right from the start
Try to make certain from the beginning


Yes, only love can break your heart
Indeed, only love has the potential to shatter your heart


What if your world should fall apart?
What will happen if everything in your life crumbles into pieces?


I have a friend I've never seen
I have an acquaintance that I have never met in person


He hides his head inside a dream
He escapes from his reality inside his imagination


Someone should call him and see
Somebody should contact him and ascertain his current circumstances


If he can come out
If he is capable of emerging from his dream world


Try to lose the down that he's found
Attempt to rid himself of the depression he has discovered


Yes, only love can break your heart
Absolutely, solely being in love is capable of hurting you deeply


Yes, only love can break your heart
Indeed, only love has the potential to shatter your heart


Yes, only love can break your heart
Truly, only love can cause such emotional pain


Yes, only love can break your heart
Without a doubt, love is the only thing that can hurt you so deeply


Yes, only love can break your heart
Certainly, solely being in love has the power to break you apart




Lyrics © Broken Arrow Music
Written by: Neil Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Linares Studios

LYRICS:

Sailing hardships through
Broken harbors
Out on the waves
In the night
Still the searcher must
Ride the dark horse
Racing alone
In his fright

Tell me why
Tell me why
Is it hard to make arrangements
With yourself
When you're old enough to repay
But young enough to sell?

Tell me lies later
Come and see me
I'll be around
For a while
I am lonely but
You can free me
All in the way
That you smile

Tell me why
Tell me why
Is it hard to make arrangements
With yourself
When you're old enough to repay
But young enough to sell?



All comments from YouTube:

Kathryn Molesa

Neil's brilliance was so apparent at this young age.

WhatWouldHouseDo

Neil never seems to get much accord for his acoustic playing. It's always fairly simple and understated, but there's also a lot going on- continual fills and accents and it's always super clean. Great player.

Browns Town1155

I definitely prefer when someone plays to the song instead of being all flashy and showing off in the song. Sometimes simple is better

Ben Dagostino

His rhythm is one of the best.

M B

Accord? I think you mean acclaim.

WhatWouldHouseDo

@M B Accord can mean recognition.

Claudia Gibson

I think as brilliant as his electric solo stuff is, his acoustic playing is even better. Very clean, interesting fills and chord forms, and he’s a metronome. Love this song.

4 More Replies...

Laurie Bezilla

I am lonely but you can free me all in the way that you smile!! Love you Neil!!

Sal Lopresti Invasion 65

I lost touch with a dear friend and this line hits me like a freight train in my heart ❤️ and life goes on ✌️❤️

Laurie Bezilla

So sorry.

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