“I’ve been sitting on this since I was 17. I wanted it to sound like a broken CD, saying the same thing over and over again. I feel like this song in particular really showcases me and Jacob as two individuals working together. The saving grace of the song is where it’s like, ‘Oh, you can finally breathe and be happy.’ But then you come back to the beginning of it, and even though it’s the same lyrics and same chord progression, it’s almost feels different—like a different journey.“
—via Apple Music
broken cd
beabadoobee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It hurt when I was seventeen
Flew by so quickly, I
Could hardly breathe
Don't think I'm over it
Like I always said I was
Like a broken CD
That plays on repeat
Don't think I'm over it
It hurt when I was seventeen
Flew by so quickly, I
Could hardly breathe
Don't think I'm over it
Like I always said I was
Like a broken CD
That plays on repeat
To understand the meaning behind beabadoobee’s song “Broken CD,” we can interpret that the lyrics are about a past relationship that has left a mark on her. She is admitting that she is not over the hurt that she felt when she was seventeen years old. The pain seems to have flown by so quickly that she couldn't even catch her breath. However, she still proclaims that she is not over it.
The reference to the “broken CD” reflects the idea that she is stuck in a loop, replaying the hurtful memories over and over again. The broken CD represents the continuous playback of the same pain that she experienced in her past. It’s a fitting metaphor, as we can relate to the experience of having a scratched CD or a song that gets stuck on an endless loop. The pain can also be interpreted as a form of trauma that she is struggling to overcome.
Overall, the lyrics of “Broken CD” convey a relatable experience of dealing with heartbreak and trauma. The song's message is delivered effectively through beabadoobee's soothing voice and the calming melody of the guitar.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't think I'm over it
I haven't moved on from this experience
It hurt when I was seventeen
I went through a painful experience when I was seventeen
Flew by so quickly, I
The experience passed by so quickly that
Could hardly breathe
I felt suffocated and overwhelmed
Don't think I'm over it
I haven't moved on from this experience
Like I always said I was
Despite saying that I moved on,
Like a broken CD
I keep repeating the same story over and over again
That plays on repeat
I can't seem to escape the memories of that experience
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Beatrice Ilejay Laus, Jacob Bugden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind