If you take a step, I will make you sure that you take the next
If you tell a lie, I'll just nod my head, yeah, I'll let it slide
Cause you woke me up, and there's birds outside, and I still feel drunk
But I'm glad you did, cause last night you weren't making that much sense.

You said you wanna die, now you say you wanna live
You said you loved me after fourty five minutes
If this is all a game can you just say it is?
I'll do it anyway, so it makes no difference

We should order up, wash the wine out of the coffee cup
They got bread and fruit, there's probably not much else for you.
We can lay around, you can kiss me til the maids come kick us out.

It's eleven now so make every second count
But back in New York they can't ever find this out
There are things we do, that we're really not allowed
We can say anything, but we just can't say it loud.

I hope you always find someone to take you home
To put you into bed, kiss your cheek, and check your pulse
Make sure you're still breathing, with their hand up to your nose
I wish that could be me, but it's just not possible.



Lyrics submitted by i rock


Breakfast in Bed (feat. Conor Oberst) song meanings
Add your thoughts

36 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    Lyric Correction:I believe it's, "You said you LOVE me after 45 minutes", as opposed to past tense.
    Flag ambermistyon May 23, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The narrator and his lover are both in Alcoholics Anonymous and, even though it is forbidden, they try to keep their relationship a secret. The lover can be of either gender.
    Flag reginaldespirituon March 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Forgive me, but I'll take a leap here. I liked where ppl were going, but I interpreted this song differently: as much as I'd to think this never happened, Señor Oberst here IS a rockstar, and has probably succumb to the occasional, albeit cliché "groupie" at LEAST once. Therefore, this led me to believe thats what its about. It would be a situation most would assume he's opposed to, so: the lyrics implied he could not be w/her, let anyone know, offer her little more than the minimum, they were drunk @ a hotel, & she declared she "loved" him after 45 min. The latter especially makes me think she's a groupie as they'd JUST met.
    To sum it up, pretty much that hes embarrassed about it all, especially the fact that he got more out of it than he would have wanted...
    Flag ACaricatureOfon July 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i would think its was a guy too, but its just sounds more delicate and generally women are 'put in bed'.
    idk. i wouldn't kick out the other guy idea though. im just leaning towards more of drunken one night stand.
    Flag astheyfellon May 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I found the comments about this song pretty surprising. Maybe a few people were joking?

    The literal take on the song is that he's had a one night stand, and he's away from home.

    I'd say that the subtext is that, the event wasn't exactly meaningful for him, she's a got a few things going on his life, and he feels a bit of animosity about that, has she really had such a hard time of things or is she just making it up for drama's sake.

    Then he's going along with things that morning, he know's he's going he hope's she'll make the most of it. I'd say the line: "They got bread and fruit, there's probably not much else for you." is definitely not about her eating preferences... more "don't expect much more from me"

    That last bit sounds like it's about guilt, perhaps he cheated on someone back home, or perhaps he felt that he took advantage of this girl somehow. Hence the stuff about wishing her well.
    Flag pradaforsporton April 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this shit is beautiful
    Flag gummy_bon February 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I've always felt this song was about Conor and his previous relationship with men.. it makes perfect sense. I could be wrong, but from the first time I heard this song I instantly felt that.. it wasn't until someone brought it to my attention that they thought it was about a male and female couple. I still don't believe it.. hm
    Flag yellowteethemergencyon January 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Well this may not be the best evidence, but i don't think it's about a guy because the video for the song shows a guy and a girl.
    Then again it's possible, but irrelevant for the meaning. It means the same thing whether it's a guy or girl.
    Flag daytrotteron January 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:and to the gay comments..... I think its wrong but possible. I however don't think Conner is gay/ has a secret desire to be with men because he is a strong enough person who has put so much of his life out there he wouldnt be ashamed of being gay and would be very open about it. Unless this song is about a character other than conner I think it is about an affair
    Flag buddycathedralon January 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song. He truly cares about this person. They both care about eachother but have a relationship that can't go to the next level for some reason not told. Im guessing the girl dates his friend or something along those lines. that explains why they are close enough to have feelings but never crossed the line. This particular night they were out of town together and for the first time they could be together. Both wanted it but knew it was wrong. But they enjoy it while it lasts. There is almost a sense of remorse that it can't work
    Flag buddycathedralon January 13, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain