She has a daughter, Lucy Wainwright Roche, by the singer Loudon Wainwright III (hence Lucy's half-siblings are Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, also acclaimed singer-songwriters).
Breathing
Suzzy Roche Lyrics
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hold it a minute
i'm happy
send up a flare
some of the dreams
i forgot
they came true
just to see you
breathing
fifteen years old
we made it
in from the cold
lovey, where you were hardly alive
we had some biggies to climb
i'm tired
can't climb anymore
i see you put
one foot out the door
go ahead open it
find your way
you can come back home any day
buy listen
be who you are
and listen
to your own heart
sometimes i listen to nothing
and hear
the secret of breathing
out in the clear
i'm happy
hold it a minute
please dear
don't come home late
tomorrow you have to clean up that mess
you left in your room
and she said yes
breathing
she's breathing
The song "Breathing" by Suzzy Roche begins with the lines "What's wrong, hold it a minute, I'm happy, send up a flare," which seem to convey a sense of excitement and appreciation for happiness in the present moment. The next verse reflects on forgotten dreams that have since come true, perhaps indicating a sense of gratitude and fulfillment. Roche sings about the challenges and struggles that have been overcome, specifically referencing a time when "we made it in from the cold." This line could be interpreted as a metaphorical journey from difficulty to comfort.
The song then shifts into a message of autonomy and self-discovery, with Roche urging the listener to "be who you are and listen to your own heart." She speaks about the importance of pausing to simply breathe and appreciate life, even when it feels like everything is moving too quickly. The final stanza sees Roche returning to the present moment and expressing contentment, but also reminding someone not to come home too late and to clean up their room.
Overall, the song seems to be about appreciating the good moments in life, reflecting on life's challenges, taking control of one's own journey, and finding peace in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
what's wrong
Asking if something is bothering the listener
hold it a minute
Requesting the listener to pause briefly
i'm happy
Expressing contentment
send up a flare
Asking for help or attention
some of the dreams
Referring to past aspirations
i forgot
Forgetting about past aspirations
they came true
Successfully achieving some past aspirations
i'm happy
Continuing to express contentment
just to see you
Feeling happy just by seeing someone
breathing
Referring to the act of breathing
fifteen years old
Referring to a younger age
we made it
Successfully overcoming challenges of the past
in from the cold
Arriving somewhere warm and comforting
lovey, where you were hardly alive
Referring to a difficult past experience
we had some biggies to climb
Overcoming significant challenges in the past
i'm tired
Feeling exhausted
can't climb anymore
Unable to continue overcoming challenges
i see you put
Observing someone taking action
one foot out the door
Leaving or considering leaving a situation
go ahead open it
Encouragement to take an action
find your way
Discovering a personal path
you can come back home any day
Reassurance of the availability of a safe place
buy listen
Giving advice to the listener
be who you are
Encouragement to be true to oneself
and listen
Encouraging active listening
to your own heart
Encouraging following one's own intuition
sometimes i listen to nothing
Sometimes taking a break from external stimuli
and hear
Being able to perceive something
the secret of breathing
Discovering the importance of the simple act of breathing
out in the clear
Referring to a state of mental clarity
i'm happy
Continuing to express contentment
hold it a minute
Requesting the listener to pause briefly
please dear
Polite address to the listener
don't come home late
Asking the listener to return home on time
tomorrow you have to clean up that mess
Assigning a future task
you left in your room
Referring to a past action
and she said yes
Referring to someone consenting or agreeing
breathing
Referring to the act of breathing
she's breathing
Referring to someone living and surviving
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.