The Gaslight Anthem’s music embraces many elements of blues, classic rock, and punk rock. The band has described their sound as “Bruce Springsteen singing for a Cure cover band, with a tinge more aggression.” The group’s fondness for Springsteen, a significant influence on their music, is celebrated by fans and critics alike. Representative of such views, one critic wrote, “The Gaslight Anthem are like something out of speculative fiction: this is what pop music would be if Springsteen hadn’t listened to his producer, let the Ramones record ‘Hungry Heart,’ and launched the C.B.G.B.’ers into megastardom.”
The band released its first LP, Sink or Swim, in 2007 through XOXO Records, and toured with many reputable bands, including Against Me!, The Draft, Dead to Me, and Fake Problems.
The Gaslight Anthem’s second release, a 4-song EP entitled Señor and the Queen, was released on January 29th, 2008 by Sabot Productions.
Their second full-length, The ‘59 Sound, was released on August 19, 2008 on Side One Dummy Records. The album debuted at #70 on the Billboard top 200. It was produced by Ted Hutt, who has produced albums for The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, and MxPx.
On August 6, 2008 they became the first band to ever appear on the cover of Kerrang! magazine without the publication having previously written a single word about them.
In Fall 2008, the band toured with Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, and Thrice.
On December 9, 2008, the Gaslight Anthem made their television debut on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, performing the song the “The ‘59 Sound.” On January 30, 2009, they appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, again playing “The ‘59 Sound.”
Their third full-length, American Slang, was released on June 15, 2010, on Side One Dummy Records. The Bring It On Songfacts reports that it finds the band moving away from the fictional lyrics and '50s-inspired sound of their previous records.
In 2010 they appeared on the main stage at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK along with Arcade Fire, The Libertines and Modest Mouse.
Their fourth full-length, Handwritten was released on July 23, 2012 in the UK, and on July 24 in the US. The lead single, "45", was aired for the first time worldwide as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World on April 30, 2012 on BBC Radio 1 and was released on iTunes on May 8, 2012. Handwritten was called by The Rolling Stone their "biggest sounding, most straightforward album"
11 Break Your Heart
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See, I have run so far that I've lost myself.
And there are things I have seen that I never will tell.
They drove me out of my mind and inside of myself.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here, in the dark.
It would bring you to tears, if you knew what I know.
See, I spent all of my money on second hand love
But I trusted somebody way and back when.
And I loved her like fire until it drove me insane.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
And you can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll leave you lying there on the floor.
You can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll leave you spinning there on the floor.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
Until it breaks your heart.
The Gaslight Anthem's song "Break Your Heart" is a tender and melancholic ballad that speaks about a deep sense of vulnerability, loneliness, and pain. The song commences with the singer finding himself in a state of total disorientation and breakdown, having lost himself after running so far from his problems. He has seen and experienced things too intense to share with others, leaving him feeling trapped inside his own mind. He reveals his underlying love for someone because of whom he has been driven to find solace within himself.
The chorus repeats the warning that "it would break your heart" if someone truly knew him and his struggles, including the scars he carries from his life's hardships. He is vulnerable, admitting to having spent all his money on second-hand love, trusting someone in the past who eventually hurt him, which nearly drove him to the brink of insanity.
The final part of the song speaks to the listener directly. The singer offers a sense of companionship to the listener, the chance to lean on him until their heart stops beating, but then, in a grim twist, advises that he will leave them on the floor spinning. Ultimately, he concludes with the bittersweet comments that "it would break your heart" and "until it breaks your heart."
Line by Line Meaning
It would break your heart, if you knew me well.
If you truly knew me, you would be heartbroken.
See, I have run so far that I've lost myself.
I've traveled far, but lost touch with who I am.
And there are things I have seen that I never will tell.
I've witnessed unspeakable things that will remain hidden.
They drove me out of my mind and inside of myself.
These experiences have driven me to the brink of insanity, and turned me inward.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
It would crush you emotionally.
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If you understood the depth of my love for you, and saw the emotional pain I've endured.
If I played you my favorite song lying here, in the dark.
If I shared this intimate moment with you.
It would bring you to tears, if you knew what I know.
The knowledge I possess would deeply move you to tears.
See, I spent all of my money on second hand love
I've wasted my resources on meaningless relationships.
But I trusted somebody way and back when.
However, I once trusted deeply.
And I loved her like fire until it drove me insane.
I was consumed by love until it drove me crazy.
And you can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
You can rely on me until you're at your lowest point.
I'll leave you lying there on the floor.
But at the end of the day, you're on your own.
You can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll be there for you through thick and thin.
I'll leave you spinning there on the floor.
But ultimately, you'll have to pick yourself back up.
Until it breaks your heart.
Until it hurts so much you can't take it anymore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Birk Johnsen
It would break your heart, if you knew me well.
See, I have run so far that I've lost myself.
And there are things I have seen that I never will tell.
They drove me out of my mind and inside of myself.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here, in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
It would bring you to tears, if you knew what I know.
See, I spent all of my money on second hand love
But I trusted somebody way and back when.
And I loved her like fire until it drove me insane.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
And you can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll leave you lying there on the floor.
You can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll leave you spinning there on the floor.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
Until it breaks your heart.
Jimmy Harmony
waiting for the show
chill vibe leading into the old club of hearts
so much love, really inexhaustible,
whispering slowly
like a cigar that adds depth to voice
singing songs about that time we fell apart
but don't give up because I'm still laying here,
waiting for you,
and singing for you.
can you hear me clearly?
beauty in all imperfection
is what gets me out of bed each day
Jordan Tropila
It would break your heart, if you knew me well.
See, I have run so far that I've lost myself.
And there are things I have seen that I never will tell.
They drove me out of my mind and inside of myself.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here, in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
It would bring you to tears, if you knew what I know.
See, I spent all of my money on second hand love
But I trusted somebody way and back when.
And I loved her like fire until it drove me insane.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
And you can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll leave you lying there on the floor.
You can lean on me until your heart don't beat,
I'll leave you spinning there on the floor.
And oh, my my, it would break your heart,
If you knew how I loved you, if I showed you my scars,
If I played you my favorite song lying here in the dark.
Oh my my, it would break your heart.
[x2]
Until it breaks your heart.
Megacaesar
I doubt you guys in the band will read this, but thank you for this song.
Michael deGuerre
And so many others as well. Thank you guys.
walid mostefai
Yw
Bee
🖤
Heath Roper
This is one of the most beautifully written songs I have ever heard in my life.
Khanell786.
Heath Roper that's true.. I could be stuck on a island and have this song repeat and I wouldn't even be mad..
James Pettyjohn
I think Brian's writing is super underrated, I think it's up there with the greatest of greats! I wish so bad he got more respect for his amazing gift.
James Harbour
@James Pettyjohn When you take from the greats, it's easy to be seen as one of them. Love the guy, but half of his stuff is another song haha
James Pettyjohn
@James Harbour I wouldn't say that's true at all, I think he pays homage to the greats and maybe sometimes a little to much but his original writing is great! Just my opinion i imagine either way i love his writing. He does reference other songs often but he also does the same with movies and books and a lot of stuff from the late 50's to the early 60's, that is his style for this band. Just the same he is one of my favorite song writers.
Chris Dallaire
So much dust in the air over here!
Amazing lyrical imagery, unbelievable band! Much love and thanks so much for the constant flow of songs that strike that chord!