Early life and pre-Idol
Noll was born in the Australian town of Orange, New South Wales and grew up in the small town of Condobolin in central western New South Wales. He is the third and youngest of three children to parents Sharon and Neil Noll and along with brothers Damian and Adam, spent the entire of their childhood and teenage years living on the family farm which ran sheep and cattle and grew cereal crops. During his school years, Noll enjoyed drama classes and performed in a number of school productions. Noll has since expressed a desire to continue his acting work.
During his adult years, Noll began working on other farms and properties shearing sheep amongst other tasks. It was during this time Noll and his brothers formed the band called "Cypress" (named for the fact that they rehearsed in a timber mill), of which Shannon provided vocals and played guitar. The band played numerous small gigs around the Australian outback, playing in country pubs gaining a solid live reputation. Although the majority of songs performed by the band were cover versions of popular songs, the group enjoyed writing original music and would often perform these originals as part of their set.
Noll's father, Neil, was tragically killed during a farming accident in 2001, which led to Shannon and his brothers to take over the running of the family farm. Following the death and two years of extreme drought, the brothers sold the farm and settled in Condobolin with their mother. Shannon often cites the death of his father as a major inspiration in his musical career, and has penned a song on his latest album Lift titled "Now I Run" in memorium of his late father.
Noll and his now wife, Rochelle Ogsten began their relationship in 1997 welcoming the arrival of sons Cody in 2001 and Blake in 2002. The pair wed in October 2004 and daughter Sienna arrived in 2006.
Breakdown
Shannon Noll Lyrics
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I've been keeping busy, making valued plans
I feel I'm getting stronger and I don't know why
But every now and then, I just give in
I let you break my heart all over again
I make sure there's nobody else around
And I, I breakdown
I've got good at faking that I'm moving on
'Cause I've got tired of saying that there's nothing wrong
I can feel I'm so close to finally letting go
But every now and then, I just give in
I let you break my heart all over again
I drink our favourite red
Get your letters out and I read them loud
I put on all the songs we used to play
And go through all the photos I should throw away
I make sure there's nobody else around
And I, I breakdown
'Cause I can't see the way out
I breakdown 'cause you did it so easy
I wish you could show me how
The song "Breakdown" by Shannon Noll is a power ballad that reflects on the emotions of a man who is trying to move on from a past relationship, but finds himself breaking down every now and then. The song starts with the singer stating that he is a brand new man who has been keeping busy making valued plans. He feels that he is getting stronger, but every now and then, he gives in to the memory of his past relationship and lets it break his heart all over again. He admits that he has gotten good at faking that he is moving on, but there are times when he just can't help but breakdown.
Throughout the song, the singer paints a picture of how he copes with his breakdowns. He drinks their favorite red wine, reads her letters out loud, listens to the songs they used to play, and goes through all the photos he should throw away. He makes sure that there's nobody else around when he breaks down, and he wishes that she could show him how to move on.
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, but it could be understood as a reflection of how it's easier said than done to move on from a past relationship. It emphasizes that it's okay to give in to your emotions and have a breakdown every now and then, but it's important to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
You should see me lately, I'm a brand new man
I have been making positive changes and feeling hopeful about my future
I've been keeping busy, making valued plans
I have been occupied with planning and working on important things
I feel I'm getting stronger and I don't know why
I feel like I am gaining strength and resilience without really understanding how
But every now and then, I just give in
Despite feeling strong, sometimes I cannot resist the urge to give in to my emotions
I let you break my heart all over again
I reminisce about our past relationship and allow my heart to be hurt by it once more
I make sure there's nobody else around
I isolate myself emotionally in order to fully experience my pain
And I, I breakdown
I am overwhelmed by sadness and despair
I've got good at faking that I'm moving on
I have become skilled at appearing as though I have moved past our relationship
'Cause I've got tired of saying that there's nothing wrong
I am tired of denying that I still have feelings for you and that our relationship has affected me deeply
I can feel I'm so close to finally letting go
I believe that I am nearing the point where I can fully move on and let go of the past
I drink our favourite red
I try to recapture the feeling of being close to you by drinking the wine we used to enjoy
Get your letters out and I read them loud
I read old letters from you out loud to myself, hoping to connect with the person you used to be
I put on all the songs we used to play
I replay old songs that hold sentimental value for us
And go through all the photos I should throw away
I sift through pictures of us that I know I should get rid of, but cannot bring myself to do so
'Cause I can't see the way out
I feel lost and trapped in my emotions, unable to see a path towards healing
I breakdown 'cause you did it so easy
I am hurt because it seems like you moved on from our relationship with ease, while I am still struggling
I wish you could show me how
I wish that you could help me move on and find peace, as you seem to have done
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM REILY, SHANNON NEIL NOLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind