As best friends and musicians, they got together and in a few honest moments opened up to one another with the songs that they had been keeping to themselves. They found it good to share, so they recorded this EP containing a few of those songs.
Fall Apart
The Careful Ones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but I'm just breathing
and you say that I will be fine
but I'm dead when I'm leaving
cause fine doesn't mean all the finer things
fine doesn't mean living at all
whether I eat or I sleep if you're there walking with me
and these letters on my hand
they might fade when I get old
they work to remind me
and I try to let it go but this rhythm on hold
but your face finds me
The Careful Ones's "Fall Apart" reveals the dissonance between external perceptions of the singer's well-being and the internal turmoil they feel. The first two lines of the first stanza contrast the appearance of life ("alive") with the reality of mere existence ("breathing"). The singer acknowledges that they are not living but merely surviving. The first half of the second stanza reinforces this idea that appearances can be deceiving; the singer recognizes that being told they will be "fine" means nothing without actually feeling fine. They allude to feeling "dead" despite assurances of their well-being, which creates a sense of loneliness and isolation.
The chorus of "Fall Apart" plays on the idea that without true companionship, even mundane aspects of life lose significance. The singer suggests that there is no point to eating or sleeping without someone there "walking with" them. The final line of the chorus is particularly impactful: "watch your world fall apart." This line represents the singer's innermost feelings, which seem to hinge on the support of a significant other. Without it, everything falls apart.
The final stanza addresses the ephemeral nature of life and memory. This time, the singer mentions the "letters on [their] hand" that represent a faded memory. While they attempt to let go of the memory associated with the letters, the rhythm of their life remains on hold until they see the face of their beloved. The lack of closure here indicates that the singer is still struggling to come to terms with this past event.
Line by Line Meaning
you may say that I am alive
You might claim that I am living, but in reality, I am only breathing.
but I'm just breathing
My existence does not translate to living since I am only taking in air.
and you say that I will be fine
You assure me that everything will be alright.
but I'm dead when I'm leaving
I feel lifeless when I have to depart.
cause fine doesn't mean all the finer things
Merely being alright does not guarantee all the luxurious benefits.
fine doesn't mean living at all
Being fine does not equate to truly living or having a fulfilling life.
whether I eat or I sleep if you're there walking with me
The presence of someone, who walks alongside me, is more important than my basic needs.
watch your world fall apart
If that significant person is not there, everything will start to crumble.
and these letters on my hand
These engraved letters on my skin, symbolize a lifelong commitment.
they might fade when I get old
The letters may vanish when I age, but the vow they represent will remain intact.
they work to remind me
These letters serve as a reminder of the pledge that I have taken.
and I try to let it go but this rhythm on hold
I attempt to forget, but my emotions and feelings are still suppressed.
but your face finds me
I cannot escape your countenance even when I try to move on.
Contributed by Ryan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.