Eric Woolfson wrote most of the music and lyrics while Alan Parsons overviewed the production process. Prior to starting his Project, Parsons worked as an engineer with names such as the Beatles (Abbey Road, the Get Back roofttop concert) and Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon, Atom Heart Mother).
Since the 1990s Alan Parsons has been performing live shows, touring all over the world, but without Eric Woolfson.
Breakdown
The Alan Parsons Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one can understand a word that I say
When I break down just a little and lose my head
Nothing I try to do can work the same way
Any time it happens I'd get over it
With a little help from all my friends
Anybody else could see what's wrong with me
When I break down
I break down in the middle and lose my thread
No one can understand a word that I say
When I break down just a little and lose my head
Nothing I try to do can work the same way
Where are all the friends who used to talk to me
All they ever told me was good news
People that I've never seen are kind to me
Is it any wonder I'm confused
When I break down
When I break down
Freedom, freedom, we will not obey
Freedom, freedom, take the wall away
Freedom, freedom, we will not obey
Freedom, freedom, take them all away
Where are all of my friends
My so called friends
Take the wall away
Take them all away
Will somebody here me?
The lyrics to The Alan Parsons Project's "Breakdown" convey a sense of frustration and confusion. The singer describes a feeling of being unable to communicate with others, and feeling abandoned by those who used to be close to him. The chorus repeats the phrase "When I break down" as a mantra, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the singer's struggles. He expresses a desire for freedom and liberation, which manifests itself in the chants of "Freedom, freedom, we will not obey" and "Freedom, freedom, take the wall away."
The melancholic tone and emphasis on feeling misunderstood and abandoned by others is a common theme in The Alan Parsons Project "Breakdown." The singer's struggles with communication and social interaction reflect a broader sense of disconnection and alienation in society. The desire for freedom and liberation can be interpreted as a yearning for a sense of purpose and connection that is missing in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I break down in the middle and lose my thread
I become overwhelmed and lose my focus
No one can understand a word that I say
I am unable to convey my thoughts and feelings
When I break down just a little and lose my head
When I am on the verge of losing control
Nothing I try to do can work the same way
I feel helpless and unable to accomplish anything
Any time it happens I'd get over it
I usually recover from a breakdown
With a little help from all my friends
My friends have been a source of support in the past
Anybody else could see what's wrong with me
Others can see my struggles more clearly than I can
But they walk away and just pretend
However, some choose to ignore my problems
Where are all the friends who used to talk to me
I feel alone and abandoned by my former friends
All they ever told me was good news
My friends only shared positive things with me, hiding their own struggles
People that I've never seen are kind to me
Strangers are showing me kindness and empathy
Is it any wonder I'm confused
I am bewildered and uncertain about who to trust
Freedom, freedom, we will not obey
I desire the freedom to express myself and not follow others blindly
Freedom, freedom, take the wall away
I want to break down the metaphorical walls that keep me from being understood
Will somebody hear me?
I want to be heard and understood
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN PARSONS, ERIC WOOLFSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomamys
I breakdown in the middle and lose my thread
No one can understand a word that I say
When I breakdown just a little and lose my head
Nothing I try to do can work the same way
Any time it happened I'd get over it
With a little help from all my friends
Anybody else could see what's wrong with me
But they walk away and just pretend
When I breakdown
I breakdown in the middle and lose my thread
No one can understand a word that I say
When I breakdown just a little and lose my head
Nothing I try to do can work the same way
Where are all the friends who used to talk to me?
All they ever told me was good news
People that I've never seen are kind to me
Is it any wonder I'm confused?
When I breakdown, when I breakdown
Freedom, freedom, we will not obey
Freedom, freedom, take the wall away
(Take the wall away)
@josephtabar492
This was a killer album. When I was a teenager in the 70s my mother had this album. I love the song I robot the best. However this whole album is great from beginning to end. I'm now in my late 50s, but it still sounds as good as the first day I heard it and it has stood the test of time. Godspeed to the band.
@robayling1761
I was listening to this over 40 years ago and it's still a masterpiece of work. This band were light years ahead of their time.
@martamoss4863
Absolutely!
@TINCANsquid
Yeah, I'm old too.
@YoungatHeartAKACarla8226
Indeed they were light year ahead of their time.
@cheesyrichard
I’d argue Alan Parsons created the “80s sound”.
@jamesmarol2031
I was listening to them just about that long also. They are still light years ahead of the shit that they are making now!
@davek2687
Not enough people know about or listen to Alan Parsons. The instrumentals alone are worth it. So many great tunes.
@frankdavis2522
You're so right well ahead of there time. Now the music seems to bring us backwards. We have no culture anymore so there's no counterculture
@b.c4066
Actually I have to strongly disagree sir, his genius use of space, air and timed silences and voids. It gives the music so much depth and dynamic range.