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"The Breakdown" lyrics - Would you help me to transcribe it correctly/completely? Thank you!! There are some slight differences from one performance to the next one, I transcribe some of them in here.
Thanks to SchlomoThaHomo for the first transcription... & thanks PRINCE for sharing and for the extreme beauty of the song.
Listen 2 me closely as the story unfolds This could be the saddest story ever been told I used 2 want the house with the biggest pool Reminiscing now, I just feel like a fool
U keep breakin me down, down, down Keep breakin me down down down Keep breakin me down down down
I used 2 throw the party every New Year's Eve First one intoxicated, last one 2 leave Waking up in places that u would never believe Give me back the time, u can keep the memories
U keep breakin me down, down, down Keep breakin me down down down Keep breakin me down down down
Every book I read Said that I would meet somebody like you Whenever I was sorry, so sorry for the things I used to do
A journal full of numbers that I used to go through One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, all behind me now, all because of U
You keep breaking me down.... I don't wanna.... don't wanna go down down down.....
You've seen every door, every door you can walk through, (in Montreux, "there's a door you can walk through") Where there used to be a wall I don't care, come on baby, As long as U catch me forever and ever and then some more (in Montreux he said "if there's a fall"/other times it's "when I fall")
The closer we get, the closer U get, the closer I get.
I don't wanna, don't wanna.....
2 the breakdown.
What do you think? And what's your interpretation of the lyrics?
Thank you. Absolutely in love with this song. [Edited 7/20/13 2:20am] | |
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Seems as if there's no real end to the story he unfolds. Good beginning, but then... I only heared the Dakota club version which was only the first half. I really hope he is still working on it, because it's got everything in it to be one of the best Prince songs in years. So it gives me hope that he can still write a song about real people in a real situation, but now I see it as "work in progress." | |
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it's got everything in it to be one of the best Prince songs in years. | |
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I haven't heard the song yet, but the lyrics seem to be referencing a person who has been enlightened by a spiritual force, about himself, life, and the way he views the world now. The lyrics also seem to give the impression of one looking at their past, and how they used to place value and priority on materialism, and saw that as more important and valuable in their life at the time, (<-whether it was while they were in a relationship or family members/close friends they were around at that time) and is now giving testimony that he is no longer blind to those errors, and his eyes, mind and spirit are wide open, where he feels at peace to admit openly and recognize his faults/mistakes of yesterday. That's all I got from those lyrics. I'm sure someone else may/will have a different interpretation, as it's anybody's guess. [Edited 7/19/13 17:20pm] | |
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I used to throw a party every New Year's Eve First one intoxicated, last one to leave...
Why would he leave his own party?
This does not make sense... | |
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He's saying that the first person to get drunk at the party, usually leaves the party the next day after being passed out and being hung over. 3121 #1 THIS YEAR |
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There's a lot about the lyrics that I really like and there is some that's not so strong and maybe that's why he's singing it different ways, trying to find the right words. * * I agree that there's a enlightened spirituality about the song. What I really like is that we're not being hit over the head with it. It has a universal vibe to it, something that is very personal and yet something that many people have felt in their lives. To me that's a great thing. * * This is so much more the lyric I've wanted to see. Not having heard the song I dont' know that I'll LOVE it, because lately I've just not been picking up what Prince is putting down, but the lyrics on their own are decent. * * * PhantomOfSolace....the verse rhymes...let it go. I'm firmly planted in denial |
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I wish I could actually hear the song, and wish they would put it up for sale for fans who want to purchase it. | |
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It sounds like he is talking about God, not a person.
Its a beautiful song. One if his best in years. Like I said in my recent thread about Prince playing the victim, I think he writes his most beautiful lyrics when he is being vulnerable. This song is a demonstration of that. | |
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Nice lyrics. Any actions to go with these words? PaisleyRose was here  | |
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-- [Edited 8/13/13 7:54am] | |
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Then again, it could just as easily be about a person, a loved one who saves him from being a selfish millionaire. That's the thing about all good art: there's more than one way to look at it and, as nothingbutjoy said, that's much better than being hit on the head with it. | |
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Great song. Very Empty Room like. Love it. All that bathing in purple rain just can't be good for your health... | |
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Thank you! Editing. | |
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Everything is good except the first two lines. Those absolutely RUIN the entire song. I really, really, really hopes he cuts them from the released version -- like he cut one verse from Purple Rain. The saddest story ever been told. Wow, you mean the song is going to be about famine, child abuse, war, rape -- which of those terrible, sad things will it be about. Oh, wait, it's about somebody regretting their consumerism and shallowness and now looking for a more fulfilling life. Um, yeah, that's not the saddest story, unless you're being ironic. "Love & honesty, peace & harmony" | |
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I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that. Especially when the next lines are "I used to want the house with the biggest pool/Reminiscing now/I just feel like a fool". It's like the lyrics are missing a lot of information about why this is the saddest story ever told. 3121 #1 THIS YEAR |
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"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"- John Greenleaf Whittier If he is reflecting on a lost love, particularly one he lost because he chose money & superficial women over her, it may indeed be one if the saddest stories ever told. Very much like the poem "Maud Muller." ...Or it could just be for show. PaisleyRose was here | |
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Great song....I thought it was called "down"...when did the name change? Thanks for the laughs, arguments and overall enjoyment for the last umpteen years. It's time for me to retire from Prince.org and engage in the real world...lol. Above all, I appreciated the talent Prince. You were one of a kind. | |
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Revolution said: Great song....I thought it was called "down"...when did the name change? Sometimes a bootlegger will give the song a title that he thinks is right. Remember No Light In a Large Room used to be called Welcome 2 the Ratrace. That's what happens when a song leaks unofficially.. | |
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PaisleyRose said: "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"- John Greenleaf Whittier If he is reflecting on a lost love, particularly one he lost because he chose money & superficial women over her, it may indeed be one if the saddest stories ever told. Very much like the poem "Maud Muller." ...Or it could just be for show. Or to find the right rhyme words! Let's not overanalyze it! | |
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A great song and I'll continue to call it Down.
Lyrics are very good and the first two lines are excellent and should not be changed. They set the entire tone for the rest of the song and for someone opening themselves up like in this song yea it is the saddest story ever been told [Edited 7/21/13 4:15am] The greatest live performer of our times was is and always will be Prince.
Remember there is only one destination and that place is U All of it. Everything. Is U. | |
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Heard this at Montreux night 3 for the first time and it absolutely grabbed me. Powerful song, the way he sang it was just beautiful. Thanks for posting the lyrics. | |
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Prince just seems so happy and at peace with himself & his life right now.Eye have never seen him so happy. Eye hope nothing happens to this man. Eye just couldn't handle it. "The Breakdown" is the Master of his new "MasterPieces'.....Its just beautiful!!!  will ALWAYS think of  like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P. |
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Word to the Mother for these lyrics yaw! |
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Theres actually 4 of these (Keep breakin me down down down) in the 1st chorus. And in the Montreaux live version, he says something in the above red highligted space? [Edited 7/22/13 10:13am] |
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He says "Montreux, you can keep the memories". | |
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This trax is wonderfull ..1st written solo by Prince & presented (studio version) earlier this year at the Dakota Show during a preview listening session...the song has been re-worked past weeks with 3rdeyegirls group for his supposed new album (different from Plectrum Electrum) due for release with other projects via Kobalt this Fall! (this is what i read from som bird whispers...but everything can change at any moment) [Edited 7/22/13 15:29pm] | |
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Could this be the song he offered to the producers of The Great Gatsby? I keep thinking the lyrics suit the story (although the song wouldn't really fit in that sad overblown spectacle that the film was...) | |
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That's a really intelligent observation. I would definitely buy that explanation. | |
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He offered up Boyfriend & Love They Will be Done (for sure). It was discussed with the Director. | |
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