Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Neil Young & Paul McCartney Lyrics
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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
The lyrics to Neil Young & Paul McCartney's song "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" explore the themes of loneliness, friendship, and heartbreak. The first verse begins by asking how it felt to be alone when you were young and on your own. The singer then reflects on his own youth, where he was always thinking of games he was playing and trying to make the best of his time. However, he notes that only love can break your heart and advises to be sure from the start if you are going to enter into a relationship.
The second verse speaks about a friend the singer has never seen, who hides his head inside a dream. He suggests that someone should call him and try to help him lose the down that he's found. The chorus repeats the theme that only love can break your heart and poses the question of what would happen if your world were to fall apart. The final lines once again mention the friend who hides his head inside a dream and reiterates that only love can break your heart.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the importance of love in our lives. The lyrics suggest that love is a powerful force that can be both positive and negative, and that it is important to approach relationships with caution and honesty from the beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were young
Back in your youthful days
and on your own
When you were by yourself
How did it feel
What was the sensation like
to be alone?
To not have anyone around?
I was always thinking
My brain was constantly pondering
of games that I was playing.
About the games I used to enjoy playing
Trying to make
Attempting to accomplish, and
the best of my time.
Make the most of my time on earth.
But only love
However, it is solely love
can break your heart
That has the potential to hurt you deeply
Try to be sure
Make sure
right from the start
From the very beginning
Yes only love
Love, purely and simply
can break your heart
Has the ability to shatter you completely
What if your world
What would it be like if your world
should fall apart?
Suddenly began to crumble around you?
I have a friend
I know someone
I've never seen
Who I've never met in person
He hides his head
He keeps his head down
inside a dream
In a fantasy world in his mind
Someone should call him
Someone ought to contact him
and see if he can come out.
To check if he's prepared to exit his imaginary state
Try to lose
Attempt to shed
the down that he's found.
The stress or sadness he's been clinging to.
Yes, only love
Without a doubt, only love
can break your heart
Has the power to make you feel absolutely broken
Yes, only love
Yes, pure love
can break your heart
Has the power to smash your heart to pieces
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Terrie Travis
Two truly wonderful people as well as musicians, who have made the world a little better!!
Donna Englund
I’d say A LOT better! Saved my sanity thousands of times over.
♥️🧡💙💚💜♥️🧡💙💚💜♥️
Charleybones
I read somewhere that Neil was Linda McCartney's favorite musician. It must have been something special for these two to play with each other. They are world's apart in style, but equally magical in what they do.
Jayson Manabat
Perfect combination.two genius music industry.
Peter Gerstenzang
Both have a genius gift for melody. Irreplaceable gentlemen
Gui Porto
I love it when Paul starts to harmonize a lower part during the chorus. Fits the song perfectly.
jarac1357
Their voices blend beautifully together.
A
the only barrier neil does not want to cross is playing fake music. he's the most genuine musician i have ever known. so raw and real.
zephyrquartz
Fantastic. McCartney's harmony is really good - he moves with Young's sometimes out of tune voice. What a great rendition of this song! Absolutely love it and keep replaying it.
Michael Hoare
One of Neil Young's best love songs.