Saint Etienne are one of the bands who defined the early 90s indie dance genre, fusing the production values of the dance-pop that emerged in the wake of the Second Summer of Love with the clever lyrics and self-aware production of indie music.
Only Love
Saint Etienne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How did it feel to be alone?
I was always thinking
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
But 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 gang 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
But if your world should fall apart
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking, games that I was playing
I was always thinking, games that I was playing
I was always thinking, I was always thinking
I was always thinking, I was always thinking
I - I - I - I - I was always thinking, games that I was playing
I was always thinking, games that I was playing
I was always thinking, games that I was playing
I was always thinking, games that I was playing
The lyrics of Saint Etienne's song "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" express a sense of melancholy and contemplation on the nature of love and isolation. It is notable that the lyrics speak from both the singer's own perspective and that of a friend, indicating a shared experience of loneliness and longing.
The first verse starts off by questioning the feeling of being alone when young and on one's own. The singer seems to be reminiscing about past times and the games they played to pass their time. However, the lyrics suggest that these games ultimately did not bring fulfillment or happiness. The chorus then emphasizes the power of love while warning the listener to be sure of their feelings from the start, as the consequences of heartbreak can be devastating.
The second verse introduces a friend who is struggling with isolation and submerging themselves in a dream world, possibly to escape from their reality. The singer suggests reaching out to the friend and trying to break them out of their isolation by encouraging them to leave their "gang." The repetition of "I was always thinking, games that I was playing" at the end implies that the singer is still struggling with feelings of nostalgia and unease about their past isolation.
Overall, the song captures the bittersweet nature of love and the enduring human struggle against loneliness. It also strikes a chord with many listeners by providing a vulnerable and sincere portrayal of these emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were young and on your own
Reminiscing on the feelings and emotions that one experiences when they are young and alone.
how did it feel to be alone?
Asking how it feels to have been alone in the past, reflecting on one's own experiences.
I was always thinking games that I was playing
Constantly being preoccupied with various thoughts and distractions, trying to make the most of one's time.
trying to make the best of my time
Striving for personal progress and development despite the challenges of being on one's own.
But only love can break your heart
Acknowledging the vulnerability and emotional impact of falling in love and being heartbroken.
try to be sure right from the start
Advocating for caution and mindfulness when it comes to romantic relationships, in order to avoid heartbreak and pain.
Yes, only love can break your heart
Reiterating the emotional power and potential devastation of falling in love and being heartbroken.
but if your world should fall apart
Offering support and empathy for those who have experienced heartbreak and devastation due to love.
I have a friend I've never seen
Introducing a hypothetical scenario of having an unknown friend who may be struggling with their own emotions and experiences.
He hides his head inside a dream
Describing the friend's tendency to avoid reality by escaping into their dreams and imagination.
Someone should call him and see if he can come out
Advocating for reaching out to and supporting individuals who may be struggling with loneliness and emotional issues.
Try to lose the gang that he's found
Encouraging the friend to detach from negative or destructive influences in their life.
I was always thinking
Reflecting on one's previous tendencies to be preoccupied with thoughts and distractions.
I - I - I - I - I was always thinking
Emphasizing the frequency and pervasiveness of one's thought patterns and distractions.
games that I was playing
Referring to various activities and pastimes that may have served as distractions or coping mechanisms.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-el1mj3nz1g
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
@MaxColudro
When you were young and on your own
How did it feel to be alone?
I was always thinking
Games that I was playing
Trying to make the best of my timeBut only love can break your heart
Try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
But if your world should fall apartI 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 gang that he's foundBut only love can break your heart
Try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
But if your world should fall apartI was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinkingI was always thinking
Games that I was playing
I was always thinking
Games that I was playing
I was always thinkingI was always thinking
I was always thinking
I was always thinking
I, I, I, II was always thinking
Games that I was playing
I was always thinking
Games that I was playing
I was always thinking
Games that I was playing
I was always thinking
Games that I was playing
@Maxine2036
I summarized some comments about the versions of this video:
Moira Lambert didn't want to appear in the video; the girl who appear is Lucy Gillie from Golden Band.
Moira Lambert had her own band at the time, called "Faith Over Reason". They put out two EPs in 1990, "Billy Blue" and "Faith Over Reason" (the latter only on vinyl), then a compilation in 1991, "Eyes Wide Shut". Then in 1994 they put out an EP "Blind" and an album "Easy". This is the video for the track "Blind", which shows "Faith Over Reason" as they were in 1994.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guU1A2MBfFY
There’s another version of the video but with Sarah Cracknell as the vocalist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkthCVsz90s
@TheUtuber999
1990 and 1991 were great years for electronic music. Saint Etienne, 808 State, EMF, Blur, Happy Mondays, Wire, The Fall, The Farm, Lush, The Shamen, Bigod 20, Candyflip, Jesus Jones, Cocteau Twins, Danielle Dax, The Orb, Front 242 and of course Depeche Mode to name just a few great bands with releases around that time.
@juanmeras6002
So so true
@chrisarchard2009
Thank you for that list of artists bro
@tristanrobert4972
You're abolutely right
@abelmontalvo4052
Klf
@andrewknapton8121
Introduced to this song in 1992 on holiday in Kavos!! Corfu by Maria and friends from Gloucester..... also Massive Attack Unfinished Sympathy
@darkestserenity6775
I know this is a Neil Young song but
this group totally made it their own
still love this
@daisyholmes1773
Yep, they produced a totally new work based on the original. And much better.
@abelmontalvo4052
Yes they made it their own but it will always belong to Neil Young
@rachelcrompton1867
@Daisy Holmes Andrew Weatherall did.