Westlife is an Irish pop group formed on 3 July 1998. The group's original… Read Full Bio ↴Westlife is an Irish pop group formed on 3 July 1998. The group's original lineup comprised Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Markus Feehily, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden (who left in 2004). The group is the only act in UK history to have their first seven singles go straight to Number 1, and they have gone on to sell over 45 million records worldwide.

They were signed by Simon Cowell and are managed by Louis Walsh. In 2008, they were declared as Republic of Ireland's ninth-richest celebrities under 30 years old and 13th in general. They garnered 14 number one singles in the United Kingdom, the third-highest in UK history, tying with Cliff Richard and trailing behind only Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The group has also broken a few top records, including "Music artist with most consecutive number 1's in the UK" and the "Biggest selling arena act in the Wembley Arena".

Over years of their career, Westlife's music has evolved from teen pop to a pop sound, with an emphasis on ballads. Most of the group's hits have been composed by experienced songwriters, most notably Steve Mac and Wayne Hector.

On 1 June 2008, Westlife marked their 10th anniversary with a concert in Croke Park, Dublin which saw more than 83,000 fans attending the special occasion. Music Week revealed on their website that Westlife is the official third top touring act within the years 2005–2008, while they were 7th top touring act of 2008.

They have announced that they are to split in 2012 after 14 years following a final tour.

How to Break a Heart
Westlife Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Since you're not worth my love
I haven't given up
I'm stronger than that
(I'm stronger than that)
And though my heart will break
I'm takin' back my faith
Cos right now my world is spinnin' too fast
But you won't be the end of me

If you were the one you wouldn't hurt me so bad
You gave me the world

Gave me the world to take it all away
All you left me was yesterday
And this space in my heart
Now it's slowly tearin' me apart
I'm takin' all that I learned from you
I'll make it something I'll never do
I can't be who you are
You taught me how to break a heart
You taught me how to break a heart

I'll make it through this pain
My dreams won't call your name
I'm stronger than that
(I'm stronger than that)
Cos I still know how to love
Know that will be enough
And this moment will fade into the past
You won't be the end of me
If you were the one you wouldn't hurt me so bad
You gave me the world

Gave me the world to take it all away
All you left me was yesterday
And this space in my heart
Now it's slowly tearing me apart
I'm takin' all that I learned from you
I'll make it something I'll never do
I can't be who you are
You taught me how to break a heart
You taught me how to break a heart

I'm takin' all that I learned from you
I'll make it something I'll never do
I can't be who you are
You taught me how to break a heart
You taught me how to break a heart

I'm taking back my faith
I'm taking back my life
I don't care for who you are
Cos you taught me how to break a heart
How to break a heart

How to break a heart
Cos you taught me how to break a heart

Overall Meaning

In this song, Westlife is talking about how they were hurt by someone who gave them the world but then took it all away. Despite the pain, they have learned from the experience and are now taking back their faith and life. The lyrics suggest that though the heartbreak was difficult, it has made them stronger and better equipped to move on.

The chorus repeats the line "You taught me how to break a heart," which can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, Westlife is suggesting that the person who hurt them has taught them how to be heartless and break someone else's heart. On the other hand, they may be saying that the person has taught them what it feels like to have their heart broken and how to avoid doing the same to others in the future.

The overall message of the song is one of resilience and self-improvement. Though they were dealt a difficult hand, Westlife is choosing to see the experience as a learning opportunity and is determined to come out stronger on the other side.

Line by Line Meaning

Since you're not worth my love
The singer has come to the realization that the person they loved is not worthy of their love anymore.

I haven't given up
Despite the heartbreak, the singer has not given up on themselves or on the idea of love altogether.

I'm stronger than that (I'm stronger than that)
The singer reinforces their strength and conviction to move on without the person who hurt them.

And though my heart will break
The artist acknowledges that letting go of someone they loved will be painful and hard to bear.

I'm takin' back my faith, Cos right now my world is spinnin' too fast
To regain control of their life, the artist is taking back their faith and trying to make sense of everything that's happening, as everything seems to be spinning out of control.

But you won't be the end of me
Despite the pain and heartbreak caused by this person, the singer is determined to move on and not let them ruin their life forever.

If you were the one you wouldn't hurt me so bad
The singer questions whether the person they loved was really the right one for them, since they caused so much pain and hurt.

You gave me the world
The artist is acknowledging that the person they loved once made them feel on top of the world and had given them so much.

Gave me the world to take it all away
However, the same person took everything away from them, leaving them with nothing but heartbreak and pain.

All you left me was yesterday
The artist is left with the memories of the past, but now they must move on and leave the past behind.

And this space in my heart, Now it's slowly tearin' me apart
The singer's heart still bears a hole from the love that they lost, and the emptiness is slowly chipping away at them.

I'm takin' all that I learned from you, I'll make it something I'll never do
The artist is taking the lessons they learned from their heartbreak to grow and improve, so that they never make the same mistakes again.

I can't be who you are
The singer realizes that they can't be like the person who hurt them and that they need to be true to themselves instead.

You taught me how to break a heart, How to break a heart
In the end, the singer acknowledges that the person they loved had taught them how to break a heart, and they will always remember that lesson.

I'll make it through this pain, My dreams won't call your name
Despite the pain and heartbreak, the singer is determined to make it through and leave their past behind. They no longer dream of being with this person.

I still know how to love, Know that will be enough
The artist knows that they still have love to give, even after the heartbreak, and they believe it will be enough to move on.

And this moment will fade into the past
The artist acknowledges that the pain and sadness they feel now will fade away with time and become a distant memory.

I'm taking back my life
The singer is determined to regain control of their life and move on from the heartbreak caused by this person.

I don't care for who you are, Cos you taught me how to break a heart
The singer has come to a point where they no longer care about the person who hurt them, as they have caused them pain and taught them how to break a heart.

How to break a heart
The artist repeats the lesson learned in the chorus once again.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES SCHEFFER, LOUIS BIANCANIELLO, SAM WATTERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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