Break Me Down
Ryan Calhoun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I learned my lesson
I never know
You keep me guessing
You leave me less
Than how you found me
You break me down so low
You break me down
And now I know
You had your fun
Your willing victim
But now we're done
No more collision
You leave me less
Than how you found me
You break me down
You break me down so low
You break me down
And now I know
A word's a weapon
That can cut so deep
I learned my lesson
As you watched me bleed
As you watched me bleed
You break me down
You break me down so low
You break me down
You break me down so low
You break me down
You break me down so low
You break me down
And now I know
The song "Break Me Down" by Ryan Calhoun speaks about a lesson learned from a painful relationship. The singer laments the fact that they never knew what to expect from their partner and how their significant other kept them guessing, leaving them feeling less than they were before the relationship. They describe being broken down to the point that they bleed, which implies that they were hurt by the relationship because of the other person's actions.
The chorus is simple, yet impactful, as it repeats the line "You break me down" four times over. The words highlight the effect that the relationship had on the singer as they feel like they were brought down from a higher point in their life. This feeling of emotional vulnerability is further underlined by the line "A word's a weapon that can cut so deep." Ultimately, the song's message is about recognizing how a bad relationship can bring us down, but it also helps us learn from our experiences and grow.
Line by Line Meaning
So there you go
The singer acknowledges that something has happened or been said, but waits for further explanation.
I learned my lesson
The singer has realized that they made a mistake in dealing with the addressee.
I never know
The singer is unsure of what the addressee intends to do or say.
You keep me guessing
The addressee's actions are unpredictable, leading the artist to feel uncertain.
You leave me less
The addressee’s actions have caused the artist to feel worse off than before they arrived.
Than how you found me
The addressee's actions have caused a negative impact on the singer’s mood, state, or wellbeing.
You break me down
The addressee is causing the singer to feel powerless and helpless in their presence.
You break me down so low
The addressee’s actions or words cause the artist to feel completely overwhelmed and defeated.
You had your fun
The addressee’s actions have caused pain or distress to the artist for the addressee's amusement or pleasure.
Your willing victim
The artist submitted themselves to the addressee's control or influence willingly, only to suffer from it.
But now we're done
The singer is drawing a line and says that the relationship is over.
No more collision
The addressee’s presence in the artist's life will not cause them to be hurt or harmed.
A word's a weapon
The singer believes that words have the potential to cause pain and suffering just like a weapon does.
That can cut so deep
Words can cause deep emotional pain or trauma.
I learned my lesson
The singer now understands the negative consequences of underestimating the power of words.
As you watched me bleed
The addressee witnessed the artist’s pain and suffering, but chose not to help or change their behaviour.
You break me down
The addressee continues to cause the artist great emotional distress.
You break me down so low
The addressee's actions or words continue to cause the singer to feel helpless and defeated.
You break me down
The addressee is still causing the singer to feel powerless and overwhelmed.
And now I know
The artist has learned their lesson and will not allow this to happen to them again.
Contributed by Claire W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Raiza Lara Soares Marchiori
I was looking for this song for ages! Thanks :) it reminds me someone
Crimson Panther
One Tree Hill!! S07E8