Break
Rhythm and the Sea Lyrics
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I can see
Past the lines of you and me.
Then it's light,
The break of day.
I listen closely just to hear you say
You won't leave.
Still, it's light.
Another dollar spent,
But not one made.
I got a letter from a dear old friend,
I threw it all away.
I'd do it again.
Finish what you start.
Why don't you
Sit and wait until we fall apart.
Still, here you are.
Still, here I am.
We watch that clock
As though it has no hands.
Another day goes by,
It goes so slow.
I hope these things will change,
But we both know
That you won't finish what you start.
Why don't you finish what you start?
Why don't you sit and wait
Until we fall apart?
You look like someone who's waiting... you just sit
And wait and watch
Until we fall apart.
The lyrics to Rhythm and the Sea's "Break" are filled with melancholy and longing. The song speaks of a relationship that is not working out, but the two individuals involved are hesitant to let go. The singer reflects on the fact that they can see past the surface-level issues that are causing problems between them, but the other person cannot. The first few lines "Through the dark, I can see past the lines of you and me" imply that the singer is able to look beyond the obstacles and conflicts that are dividing the couple. However, they realize that their partner cannot do the same, as evidenced by the line "I listen closely just to hear you say you won't leave." The couple is in a state of limbo, waiting for something to change or for a resolution to come about.
The chorus is a plea for the other person to take action and finish what they started. The lines "Finish what you start, why don't you sit and wait until we fall apart" suggest that the singer is tired of waiting for the other person to make a decision and wants them to take control, even if that means the relationship will end. The image of watching the clock "as though it has no hands" is a powerful one, conveying a sense of time standing still as they wait for something to happen.
The third verse brings in the idea of regret, with the singer referencing a letter from a friend that they threw away and wishing they could do it over again. This regret feeds into the theme of the song: wishing things could be different, but not being able to change them. The final lines "You look like someone who's waiting, you just sit and wait and watch until we fall apart" suggest that the singer sees the other person as stagnant, unable to take action or make a move. The song ends on a somber note, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved tension and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the dark
Despite the darkness, I can perceive things beyond superficialities.
I can see
I can discern what lies beneath the surface.
Past the lines of you and me.
Beyond the visible boundaries that separate us.
Then it's light,
After a period of obscurity, there's brightness.
The break of day.
The emergence of a new dawn and fresh opportunities.
I listen closely just to hear you say
I heed attentively to your words.
You won't leave.
You will remain committed to our relationship.
Still, it's light.
Despite the initial optimism, problems linger.
I can see it fade.
The hopes and promises are dwindling.
Another dollar spent,
Expenditures keep accumulating.
But not one made.
Contrarily, revenues are lacking.
I got a letter from a dear old friend,
I received correspondence from a cherished acquaintance.
I threw it all away.
In a moment of recklessness, I disposed of it.
I'd do it again.
Despite feeling remorseful, I might repeat that error.
Finish what you start.
It's a wise advice to complete what you've begun.
Why don't you
I'm curious why haven't you.
Sit and wait until we fall apart.
Let's adhere to this unproductive approach that'll lead to our separation.
Still, here you are.
Despite the issues, you're still around.
Still, here I am.
Likewise, I'm still sticking around.
We watch that clock
We monitor time's passing.
As though it has no hands.
As if we're ignoring reality, the fact that time waits for no one.
Another day goes by,
Time marches on, another day elapses.
It goes so slow.
Time seems to drag by.
I hope these things will change,
I desire for circumstances to improve.
But we both know
However, we're both aware.
That you won't finish what you start.
You frequently fail to complete what you undertake.
Why don't you finish what you start?
It'd be helpful if you finished what you began.
You look like someone who's waiting... you just sit
You exhibit signs of waiting, you're idle.
And wait and watch
You patiently gaze and observe.
Until we fall apart.
Until our bond crumbles and disintegrates.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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