The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I don't know you but I know what you did to her
She told me and I happen to believe her too
They will be three steps behind
You will not know what's got you
Oh so you're sorry now
All is not well, it's not ended
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
You've been quiet, there are things
That you do not speak of
But if you stay gone a little
Longer your keys won't work
'Cause I will be two steps behind
You will not know what's got you
Oh so you're sorry now
All is not well, it's not ended
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
She told me and I happen to believe her too
They will be three steps behind
You will not know what's got you
Oh so you're sorry now
All is not well, it's not ended
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
You've been quiet, there are things
That you do not speak of
But if you stay gone a little
Longer your keys won't work
'Cause I will be two steps behind
You will not know what's got you
Oh so you're sorry now
All is not well, it's not ended
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Hold your breath 'till it's over
There's something left underwater
Lyrics submitted by hopeful_canyon
We Build Then We Break Lyrics as written by Benjamin Wysocki Ben Wysocki
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Great version of a great song,
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Just A Little Lovin'
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This is my interpretation of the song:
"I don't know you but I know what you did to her She told me and I happen to believe her too"
--I think Isaac is talking about someone he knew that abused someone else, he knows that person, but he no longer knows who they actually are, especially after what they did.
"They will be 3 steps behind You will not know what's got you Oh so you're sorry now All is not well, its not ended"
-- I think this could mean two things: If it was physical abuse it could be law enforcement coming to get the person, and he suddenly is sorry to do a guily plea and get less punishment or... It's the abusers feelings/conscience getting to him. He didn't expect to have these feelings and the 'old' him is coming back and he is suddenly sorry and sees all the wrongs he commited.
"Hold your breath til its over There's something left underwater"
-- I think this is something the abusee thought while it was happening, and now it starts to also come into play for the abuser. Just hold your breat till its over, then try to make something of what is left of you.
"You've been quiet, there are things that you do not speak of But if you stay gone a little longer your keys won't work"
-- I think Isaac is talking to the abuser nonconfrontational at first but is getting nowhere; the abuser isn't literally gone, but just not himself and the keys are an allusion to only the abuser can unlock the truth and if he doesn't soon he will never get redemption.
"Cause I will be 2 steps behind You will not know what's got you Oh so you're sorry now All is not well, its not ended
Hold your breath til its over There's something left underwater"
-- The abuser never expected Isaac to confront him and is startled , I think it's very deep that Isaac is one step ahead of the other person, whoever it may be. The ending is the same as above."
A girl he cares about has told him she was abused when she was little, and he’s confronting the person who did it, even though he’s never met them before, and he is really pissed off. I think the song is about him (wanting to) taking revenge on the person who hurt her, tracking them down when they are not expecting it and ignoring their self-serving apologies.
The ‘hold your breath until it’s over’ makes me think of the little girl closing her eyes and holding her breath until the abuse was over, and the ‘there’s something left under water’ could mean the something left unresolved in the past, the abuse that has been buried in the memories of the girl and never brought out.
This also supports ‘you’ve been quiet, there are some things you do not speak of’ meaning the little girl, who learnt never to talk about what happened. ‘but if you stay gone a little longer your keys won't work’ makes me think the abuse has really been mentally torturing this girl all these years, and if she continues to deny it, it could end up really harming her/ making her lose her mind.
FAVOURITE song off the new album, hands down.
It's pretty awesome, eh? Love the drums in this song. Second favourite on the album after "Say When". I can't believe there aren't more comments here.
I know. I totally agree with you about "Say When" and "We Build Then We Break"!!
He sounds a bit like Tom Chaplin from Keane in the chorus of this song! In fact, this song almost sounds like one Keane would make. I really like it :)
I agree!<br /> It definitely has a bit of a Keane feel to it.<br /> Keane's a better band, though. But I really enjoy this song.
This song seems to be about a vengeful friend/boyfriend threatening someone who hurt a girl very important to him.
It has kind of creepy, mysterious sound to it.
pretty dark. interesting. Yea it basically sounds like hes angry at someone abusing a girl he likes or something. that sucks
I agree with everybody else Although
It also sounds like the person who is abusive is being either drowned mentally or physically
"hold your breath, til it's over"
"they will be 3 steps behind, you will not no what's got you"
This song sounds like a vengeful friend speaking to a lover who's hurt a girl he cares about. The first verse is obvious in meaning, and "They will be 3 steps behind, You will not know what's got you" I think refers to feelings of guilt and remorse, or memories. "Hold your breath, till it's over, there's something left underwater", Probably signifies the friend's revenge...saying, watch out, I'll make you join my friend underwater. "You've been quiet, there are things that you do not speak of But if you stay gone a little longer your keys won't work", this another "watch out" line, saying you can't hide or run away from what you did, you'll be stuck here forever. "Cause I will be 2 steps behind", is of course, referring to himself now. This song is amazing--wonderfully creepy, and the ending makes me want to dance, really. XD