Song Lyric Sunday — Give Me a Break

Fandango

Today’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt from Helen Vahdati is the word “break.” This was an almost overwhelming assignment. There are so many songs about heartbreak, breaking up, breaking ties with someone, breaking away, or breaking something, that it’s hard to find one song to choose. But find one I did. Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.”

Written by Neil Young, the song, which was the third track on his album After the Gold Rush, was released as a single in October 1970. It became Young’s first top 40 hit as a solo artist, peaking at number 33 in the U.S.

The song was rumored to be about Steven Stills, who allegedly alienated his bandmates by referring to them as his “back-up singers” on stage. But Young later admitted it was about one of his other bandmates, Graham Nash, who was heartbroken after breaking up with Joni Mitchell.

Here are the lyrics to the song.

When you were young
and on your own
How did it feel
to be alone?
I was always thinking
of games that I was playing.
Trying to make
the best of my time.

But only love
can break your heart
Try to be sure
right from the start
Yes only love
can break your heart
What if your world
should fall apart?

I have a friend
I’ve never seen
He hides his head
inside a dream
Someone should call him
and see if he can come out.
Try to lose
the down that he’s found.

But only love
can break your heart
Try to be sure
right from the start
Yes only love
can break your heart
What if your world
should fall apart?

I have a friend
I’ve never seen
He hides his head
inside a dream
Yes, only love
can break your heart
Yes, only love
can break your heart

25 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday — Give Me a Break”

  2. Paula Light July 15, 2018 / 6:33 am

    Love this song! Great choice.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. Felicia Denise July 15, 2018 / 8:20 pm

    Great song and KUDOS for posting a song older than my post! (1973) LOL! 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
      • Felicia Denise July 16, 2018 / 12:24 am

        Talk about ‘last century’, right? LOL! Thanks for stopping by! 😉

        Like

        Reply
  7. Marilyn Armstrong July 15, 2018 / 9:48 pm

    I’m finding a lot of heartbreak these days and not a drop of traditional love is involved. Turns out, there’s plenty of stuff that can mess you up.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Fandango July 15, 2018 / 11:04 pm

      Yes, that is sadly true these days.

      Like

      Reply
  9. Helen Vahdati July 22, 2018 / 10:32 am

    Ah, Neil Young! He has such a soothing voice and fantastic lyrics. Great pick! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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