Break It Down Again
Tears for Fears Lyrics


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Oh,
oh,
oh,
oh

Break it down again

So those are my dreams
And these are my eyes
Stand tall like a man
Headstrong like a horse

When it's all mixed up
Better break it down
Oo, oo. Oo, oo
In the world of secrets
In the world of sound
Oo, oo

It's in the way you're always hiding from the light
See for yourself, you have been sitting on a time bomb
No revolution maybe someone somewhere else
Could show you something new about you and your inner song

And all the love, and all the love in the world
Won't stop the rain from falling
Waste sleeping underground (break it down again)
I want to break it down (break it down again)

Break it down again

So those are my schemes
And these are my plans
Hot tips for the boys
Fresh news from the force
When it's all mixed up
Better break it down
Oo, oo. Oo, oo
In the world of silence
In the world of sound
Oo, oo

"No sleep for the dreaming" say the architects of life
Big bouncing babies, bread and butter can I have a slice?
They make no mention of the beauty of decay
Blue, yellow, pink umbrella, save it for a rainy day

And all the love, and all the love in the world
Won't stop the rain from falling
Waste sleeping underground (break it down again)
I want to break it down (break it down again)

Horsing around
Pray to the power
Play to the crowd with your big hit sound
And they won't simmer Won't simmer
Won't simmer down
Play to the crowd
Play to the crowd

It's in the way you're always hiding from the light
Last off to heaven just like moses on a motorbike
No revolution maybe someone else somewhere else
Could show you something new to help with the ups and downs

Break it down again
I want to break it down Break it down again
Break it down again (break it down again)
Break it down again (break it down again)

Break it down again
No more sleepy dreaming
No more building up
It is time to dissolve




Break it down again
No more sleepy dreaming

Overall Meaning

In the song "Break It Down Again" by Tears for Fears, the lyrics are reflective of a person examining their own life, dreams, and plans. The lyrics discuss how everything is "mixed up" and complicated, but rather than giving up, the person decides to break it down and simplify things. The chorus, where Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith chant "Break it down again" over and over, is a call to action for the person to start taking control of their life by breaking everything down into smaller, more manageable parts.


The verses touch on the idea that the world can be a confusing and secretive place, filled with both sound and silence. The first verse encourages the listener to be strong and headstrong, like a horse, in order to navigate the chaos, while the second verse discusses how "the architects of life" have no mention of beauty and decay. The idea of someone else being able to "show you something new about you and your inner song" suggests the notion that the person is searching for new experiences or perspectives to help them move forward.


Overall, the song is a call-to-action for the listener to take control of their life and break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. The lyrics are relatable and powerful, and the melody is catchy and upbeat, making it a beloved song from the 90s.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Repetitive sounds to set the tone and theme of the song


Break it down again
Necessity to break down and analyze complex situations


So those are my dreams
Introducing the idea of personal aspirations


And these are my eyes
Acknowledging personal perspective and individual outlook


Stand tall like a man
Urging to be confident and resilient


Headstrong like a horse
Adopting the stoic and steady nature of a horse


When it's all mixed up
Dealing with confusion and disarray


Better break it down
Recommendation to analyze and isolate each part of the problem


Oo, oo. Oo, oo
Repetitive sounds to support the chorus


In the world of secrets
Alluding to unseen truths and covert actions


In the world of sound
Highlighting the importance of knowing the facts and being informed


It's in the way you're always hiding from the light
Addressing the tendency to avoid confrontation or unpleasant situations


See for yourself, you have been sitting on a time bomb
Encouragement to self-reflect and take responsibility for matters that require attention


No revolution maybe someone somewhere else
Suggesting that change may not happen on its own, without some form of intervention or involvement from others


Could show you something new about you and your inner song
Insight into personal growth and development


And all the love, and all the love in the world
Acknowledging the power of love but recognizing that sometimes it's not enough


Won't stop the rain from falling
Hardships and challenges cannot be prevented or ignored


Waste sleeping underground (break it down again)
Wasted potential and missed opportunities


I want to break it down (break it down again)
Reiteration of the chorus, reiterating the need for analysis and change


So those are my schemes
Introducing a new perspective on personal goals and ambitions


And these are my plans
Clarifying the difference between abstract desires and practical steps


Hot tips for the boys
Generic or simple advice for the younger generation


Fresh news from the force
Announcement from an authority or source of power


In the world of silence
Contemplating the wisdom of restraint and contemplation


No sleep for the dreaming" say the architects of life
Questioning the motives and messages of those in leadership or advisory roles


Big bouncing babies, bread and butter can I have a slice?
Doubting the relevance or value of certain advice, relying on colloquial or simple wisdom


They make no mention of the beauty of decay
Critiquing attitudes that solely focus on improvement and progress without acknowledging the merit of failure or decay


Blue, yellow, pink umbrella, save it for a rainy day
Accepting the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, and advocating for preparedness


Horsing around
Simple but powerful reminder to not take things too seriously or be too severe


Pray to the power
Embracing spirituality or higher powers to overcome challenges


Play to the crowd with your big hit sound
Striving for mass appeal and fame


And they won't simmer, won't simmer, won't simmer down
Acknowledging the difficulty of satisfying everyone's expectations or demands, and the potentially overwhelming nature of success


It's in the way you're always hiding from the light
Reiteration of the idea that personal struggles and challenges cannot be avoided or ignored


Last off to heaven just like Moses on a motorbike
Emphasizing the finality and inevitability of one's mortal existence and the importance of living with purpose and intention


Break it down again
Final reinforcement of the chorus and the call to action


No more sleepy dreaming
Urgency to take action and overcome inertia and complacency


No more building up
Challenging conventional wisdom and habits of perpetual growth and improvement


It is time to dissolve
Welcoming change or dissolution of current circumstances, inviting the unknown




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALAN GRIFFITHS, ROLAND ORZABAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Celieboo

I was a out 13 when this song and video came out. I was probably the only teenage black girl in America rocking this song at that time. This whole album was fire! And thank you for Gail Ann Dorsey rocking that bass!

n1212s

Same here!

Tom Mc

Gail Dorsey has some SMOOTH on that bass. ^^^

Tilly Wark

You want to see GAD rock some extra bass, look up her performing Under Pressure wuth David Bowie!

Mathew Cramer

I picked this up a few years later after it came out on vinyl in France and still have it in my vinyl library. I forgot I had it until my 14 year old niece pulled it out and played it. It still sounds just as good as it did when it came out.

Darkness

we all felt that way. but we actually arent that unique.

6 More Replies...

superbuick

I used to hear this at work all the time in the summer of 1993. Every time I hear this song, it takes me right back there.

Ten Draftsdeep

I saw them in 1993. Long hot summer that was. Concert in Atlanta GA.

1Cardplayer

@Ten Draftsdeep I remember that summer. It was hotter than hell around here in the ATL area that year. It seems like those summers during the 80s and early 90s were all much hotter than they are now. A heat advisory was the norm back then.

Ten Draftsdeep

@1Cardplayer I agree!

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