Breakdown
Tom & Heartbreakers Petty Lyrics


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It's alright if you love me
It's alright if you don't
I'm not afraid of you runnin' away, honey
I get the feeling you won't

There is no sense in pretending
Your eyes give you away
Something inside you is feeling like I do
We said all there is to say

Baby, breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey, take me through the night (baby, baby, breakdown)
Breakdown, now I'm standin' here, can't you see?
Breakdown, it's all right
It's all right
It's all right

Breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey, take me through the night (baby, baby, breakdown)
Breakdown, now I'm standin' here, can't you see?
Breakdown, it's all right




It's all right
It's all right

Overall Meaning

The song "Breakdown" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was first featured on their self-titled 1976 debut album. It is a classic rock song that has been covered by various artists since then. The lyrics of the song are about a relationship that is on the brink of breaking down. The singer lets their partner know that it's okay if they don't love them anymore but also feels that they won't leave. The singer feels that there is no point in pretending that the relationship is fine when their partner's eyes give them away. The singer asks their partner to break down and give them all their emotions.


The lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, being a typical representation of the rock genre. The singer requests that their partner breaks down and shares what they are feeling, even though it might be challenging, as they would like to know what their partner is going through. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, asking the partner to break down and let out their emotions. The guitar solo adds an element of intensity to the song that heightens the emotions presented in the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

It's alright if you love me
I am comfortable with the possibility of you having feelings for me


It's alright if you don't
I am also comfortable with the possibility of you not feeling anything for me


I'm not afraid of you runnin' away, honey
I'm not worried that you will abandon me, my love


I get the feeling you won't
I'm confident that you won't leave me, my love


There is no sense in pretending
There is no point in being dishonest with ourselves about our true feelings


Your eyes give you away
Your eyes reveal your emotions, despite what you may say


Something inside you is feeling like I do
You also feel the same way that I do


We said all there is to say
We've exhausted all possible conversation on the subject


Baby, breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
Don't hold back, feel free to share your emotions with me


Breakdown, honey, take me through the night (baby, baby, breakdown)
Let yourself break down and I'll be here for you all night


Breakdown, now I'm standin' here, can't you see?
I'm here for you, close enough to see you fall apart


Breakdown, it's all right
It's okay for you to break down, don't worry


It's all right
Everything will be okay


Breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
Don't hesitate to share your emotions with me


Breakdown, honey, take me through the night (baby, baby, breakdown)
Let me be here to support you all night


Breakdown, now I'm standin' here, can't you see?
I'm still here, waiting for you to be vulnerable with me


Breakdown, it's all right
It's perfectly fine for you to break down


It's all right
Everything will be alright




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tom Petty

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Yone Ch.

This song is just beautiful . Its about two people that they both know that got that vibe between them...its a pull and push situation . They have gone through a lot together but one of them has to finally break those walls down ...let their guards down...its a matter of trusting in the connection, in the journey

Gina Marie

Lol..yes yes..thank you

Gina Marie

I keep coming back to this..making my puppy air play the intro. Thank you❤ We shall never forget.

J Autrey

I lived this push pull situation till I finally handed the love of my life a copy of this song. We were together til death did us part.

Scott J

Not only that, every note of the music is hitting on point.

CM

Perfect interpretation

19 More Replies...

RimeTime

Heard this in the car yesterday - just amazing.
We hear these old tunes decades later and realize how damn fantastic the song writing, melodies, and lyrics are . This was when lots of people made great originals.

Reid speed

you can just feel the time period running through your ears. and its beautiful.

Brian Dailey (THIS ONE M!)

I WISH they made sounds like this still. Imagine how great music COULD be. 🎶

GIna Crescenzo

I can just picture them in the studio recording this....this song is fuckin ridiculous...he was a fuckin master

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