Learning to Breathe
Nerina Pallot Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, this road is long, this road is wide,
It takes more than luck to last the ride,
It takes strength and it takes courage to survive,
And did someone ever say to you,
"There's nothing bound in thought you cannot do?"
Well, I've seen some things but not all of them came true.

So I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
Don't want to be alone with my thoughts tomorrow,
And I don't want to be afraid, don't want to look away,
I'm learning to breathe,
No I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
I just need a hope and a light to follow,
Like sailors look to stars to find their way home,
I'm learning to breathe on my own.

And I know a man who lost his wife,
This is the way he chooses to describe his life,
He says, "If I think too much, I find there's just a hole,"
But before she went, she left a son,
He says, "Dad, you're not the only one,
Maybe love is just a requiem for the soul..."

So I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
Don't want to be alone with my thoughts tomorrow,
And I don't want to be afraid, don't want to look away,
I'm learning to breathe,
No I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
I just need a hope and a light to follow,
Like sailors look to stars to find their way home,
I'm learning to breathe on my own.

Oh, do you still feel small?
Just a speck of life on an ocean wave,
Does it pull us all?
Does it pull us all?

So I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
Don't want to be alone with my thoughts tomorrow,
And I don't want to be afraid, don't want to look away,
I'm learning to breathe,
No I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
I just need a hope and a light to follow,




Like sailors look to stars to find their way home,
I'm learning to breathe on my own.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Learning to Breathe" by Nerina Pallot speak about the journey of life and its struggles. The artist implies that living a meaningful life requires more than just luck or chance. One needs both the inner strength and courage to keep moving forward through the ups and downs of life. The reference to the statement, "There's nothing bound in thought you cannot do," shows the power of positive thinking and believing in oneself. However, the artist also acknowledges that not all dreams may come true, and mistakes or failures happen along the way.


The chorus shows that the artist wants to learn to live life on her terms and not just exist, as being the first or the last person does not matter. This sentiment is echoed in the line "I just need a hope and a light to follow," as she acknowledges the need for inspiration and guidance in life. The reference to the sailors looking to the stars for direction shows how people need something to guide them in their journey of life.


The last part of the song raises questions about our existence in the grand scheme of things. The artist wonders if we are all just tiny specks in the vast ocean of life, and whether life pulls us all in its direction. The overall message of the song is learning to breathe, to accept the challenges and the unknown, and to keep moving forward regardless of the obstacles.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, this road is long, this road is wide,
The journey to achieve goals is long and unpredictable.


It takes more than luck to last the ride,
Success requires more than just good fortune.


It takes strength and it takes courage to survive,
Surviving challenges requires inner strength and bravery.


And did someone ever say to you,
Have you ever been told that


"There's nothing bound in thought you cannot do?"
"There are no limits to what you can achieve with the power of your mind."


Well, I've seen some things but not all of them came true.
While some dreams are realized, not all of them become reality.


So I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
I don't want to be at the beginning or the end of the journey.


Don't want to be alone with my thoughts tomorrow,
I don't want to face the future with only my uncertain thoughts for company.


And I don't want to be afraid, don't want to look away,
I don't want to be scared or avoid facing the challenges ahead.


I'm learning to breathe,
I'm learning to cope with difficulties and stress.


No I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
I don't want to be at the beginning or the end of the journey.


I just need a hope and a light to follow,
I need something to hold onto and guide me.


Like sailors look to stars to find their way home,
I need a reliable point of reference, like sailors use the stars to guide them home.


I'm learning to breathe on my own.
I'm learning to handle challenges on my own.


And I know a man who lost his wife,
I know someone who has experienced a significant loss.


This is the way he chooses to describe his life,
This is how he explains his life.


He says, "If I think too much, I find there's just a hole,"
If he dwells on his thoughts too much, he feels an emptiness.


But before she went, she left a son,
Before she passed away, she had a child.


He says, "Dad, you're not the only one,
His son reassures him that he's not alone.


Maybe love is just a requiem for the soul..."
Perhaps love is just a reminder of the fleeting nature of life.


Oh, do you still feel small?
Do you still feel insignificant or powerless?


Just a speck of life on an ocean wave,
Just a tiny life in the vastness of existence.


Does it pull us all?
Do we all feel this way?


I'm learning to breathe,
I'm learning to cope with difficulties and stress.


No I don't want to be the last, I don't want to be the first,
I don't want to be at the beginning or the end of the journey.


I just need a hope and a light to follow,
I need something to hold onto and guide me.


Like sailors look to stars to find their way home,
I need a reliable point of reference, like sailors use the stars to guide them home.


I'm learning to breathe on my own.
I'm learning to handle challenges on my own.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Nerina Pallot

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Claire M

A perfect pop song. It should have made her HUGE.

tvenergyproductions1

Unfortunately, it is not the 60s or 70s anymore, great songs don't make it to the top.

Allan Dacruz

They should have released this as the first one from the album. She's too special for the mainstream masses to appreciate. I truly believe that she has been the Kate Bush of her time. Fires is an extraordinary work of musical and lyrical art.

Jean-Noel Jabagi

I always admire these words it gives me strength everytime when I'm down

Esther Vazquez

a beautiful soul! this song gives me so much strength! sadly underrated

Kboy

This song reminds me of my beautiful Anny...my ex-wife who left me with a whole load of wonderful memories

Kboy

A lovely song...very apt lyrics.....the words ring true with respect to my life....

Retép Scávok

It is a great song indeed.

Viviane B

Her CDs are nowhere to be found in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.. ! Good Lord, someone please enlighten our music business guys ! DFS, Fires, The Graduate.. ! Just Priceless !

Joanna Almayda

nostalgic song i miss the days 😭😭😭

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