Broken
Tears for Fears Lyrics


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Between the searching and the need to work it out
I stop believing everything will be alright
Broken
We are broken

I'm walking uphill being turned around and 'round
Secret in motion when my feet are on the ground
Broken
We are broken

In my mind's eye




One little boy anger one little man
Funny how time flies

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tears for Fears's song Broken carry emotional weight and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. At its core, the song seems to be about the struggle to reconcile one's inner turmoil and feelings of brokenness with the desire to make things better and work towards a brighter future. This is exemplified by the opening lines, "Between the searching and the need to work it out, I stop believing everything will be alright." The singer is acknowledging the difficulty of trying to find a solution to their problems while also feeling a sense of hopelessness.


The repetition of the word "broken" in the chorus drives home the idea that something fundamental is shattered or damaged. Additionally, the second verse paints a picture of feeling lost and spinning in circles, trying to understand the root of one's issues. The line "Secret in motion when my feet are on the ground" suggests that there is something hidden beneath the surface that is causing this sensation.


The final lines of the song are perhaps the most poignant. The shift from "one little boy" to "one little man" shows the passing of time and the maturation of the singer. It also implies that the feelings of anger and brokenness have been a part of the singer's life for a long time. The fact that this sentiment is expressed through a child and adult shows that these feelings are universal and affect people at all stages of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Between the searching and the need to work it out
As we struggle to find a solution, there is a constant feeling of the need to work things out.


I stop believing everything will be alright
The overwhelming sense of despair makes us lose faith that everything will turn out well.


Broken
The state of being shattered or fractured, where nothing seems to fit together.


We are broken
All of us are shattered in some way or another, and we are trying to keep up with life despite that.


I'm walking uphill being turned around and 'round
Progress is slow and difficult, and it feels like we are going in circles rather than moving forward.


Secret in motion when my feet are on the ground
There is always something going on beneath the surface, something that we are not necessarily aware of at the time.


In my mind's eye
This refers to the inner vision or imagination that we use to create a mental picture of the world around us.


One little boy anger one little man
As we grow older, we tend to hold on to the anger and hurt from our childhood and these emotions shape the person we become.


Funny how time flies
Time seems to pass much faster than we realize, and before we know it, we have grown up and become the person we are today.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roland Orzabal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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