Heartbreak
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics


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Before the night comes, before the city sleeps
I walk a lonely mile
I know you're out there
I know you're waiting for me to make a sign

I know you'd like me to go and crumble
Reveal myself to you
I lost a wing and I grew a shell on the wound
Oh, so soon

And heartbreak, no, you can't catch me
Hot on my heels but I move too fast
I know you think that I would make good company, at last

You always come 'round after your good friend, love
Has gone and run aground
A heart in shambles, oh well, it's just what you need
Your purpose found

You turn the lights down and draw the curtains
You put the kettle on
Come over here, sit down tell me your troubles
We sing the saddest song

And heartbreak, no, you can't catch me
Hot on my heels but I move too fast
I know you think that I would make good company, at last

I'm free to wander, so get up off of your knees
And find some other fool
Someone to hold you when you've got no one to tease
It won't be me

'Cause heartbreak, no, you can't catch me




Hot on my heels but I move too fast
I know you think that I would make good company, at last

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sarah McLachlan's "Heartbreak" tell a story of a person who has been hurt in love but is determined to move forward and avoid getting caught up in heartbreak again. The opening lines describe a solitary journey through the city, with the singer acknowledging that someone is waiting for them to reach out. However, they are hesitant to do so, knowing that they risk revealing their vulnerabilities and getting hurt again. Instead, they choose to keep moving forward, always staying one step ahead of heartbreak, which is described as chasing them, but never quite catching up.


The middle section of the song introduces a new character - someone who always seems to appear after the singer's "good friend, love" has deserted them. This person is drawn to heartbreak, finding comfort in the shared misery of sad songs and hot tea. But the singer refuses to be trapped by this cycle, asserting their freedom to explore the world and leave heartbreak behind.


The final lines of the song deliver the message most clearly: "I'm free to wander, so get up off of your knees / And find some other fool / Someone to hold you when you've got no one to tease / It won't be me." The singer knows that heartbreak is always waiting, but they are determined not to be caught in its grasp again.


Line by Line Meaning

Before the night comes, before the city sleeps
As the night approaches and everything falls quiet, the singer walks a lonely mile to escape from heartbreak.


I know you're out there
The singer acknowledges the presence of heartbreak in their life.


I know you're waiting for me to make a sign
The singer feels that heartbreak is lurking and ready to pounce at any sign of weakness or vulnerability.


I know you'd like me to go and crumble
The artist understands that heartbreak would like to see them break down emotionally.


Reveal myself to you
Heartbreak wants the artist to expose their innermost feelings to it.


I lost a wing and I grew a shell on the wound
The singer has suffered a deep emotional injury and has become guarded and protective as a result.


Oh, so soon
The singer is surprised at how quickly heartbreak has taken hold and affected them.


And heartbreak, no, you can't catch me
The artist is determined to elude heartbreak and not let it get the best of them.


Hot on my heels but I move too fast
Heartbreak is chasing after the artist, but they are moving quickly and staying ahead of it.


I know you think that I would make good company, at last
Heartbreak is persistent and still trying to lure the artist into its grasp.


You always come 'round after your good friend, love
Heartbreak is often the result of a failed or lost love.


Has gone and run aground
Once love has faltered, heartbreak is quick to follow.


A heart in shambles, oh well, it's just what you need
Heartbreak seeks out those who are already emotionally vulnerable and weak.


Your purpose found
Heartbreak feels validated in its existence when it finds someone to prey upon.


You turn the lights down and draw the curtains
The singer imagines heartbreak as a sinister force that likes to hide in the shadows and avoid the light.


You put the kettle on
The artist envisions heartbreak as a familiar guest in their home who knows the routine.


Come over here, sit down tell me your troubles
Heartbreak wants the artist to confide in it and share their problems.


We sing the saddest song
The singer imagines themselves and heartbreak singing together in harmony, both consumed by sadness.


I'm free to wander, so get up off of your knees
The singer asserts their independence and refuses to be brought down by heartbreak.


And find some other fool
The artist advises heartbreak to seek out someone else to prey upon.


Someone to hold you when you've got no one to tease
The artist suggests that heartbreak needs someone to comfort it when it has lost its power to manipulate.


It won't be me
The artist is resolute in their decision not to let heartbreak control their life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pierre Marchand, Sarah Mclachlan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Douglas Dobbs

My girl from another world is so awesome! Wrong day, wrong time but I know we could have been the best!

fred fish

Best living communication (of me)(for all).

Jen321

😳. I need a good run anyways!

Carleton Candis

Oh Canada!