Harder To Breathe
◙ Maroon 5 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable
So condescending unnecessarily critical
I have the tendency of getting very physical
So watch your step 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle

You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
The double vision I was seeing is finally clear
You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone

Not fit to fuckin' tread the ground I'm walking on

When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
You should know better you never listened to a word I said
Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did

When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

Does it kill
Does it burn
Is it painful to learn
That it's me that has all the control

Does it thrill
Does it sting
When you feel what I bring
And you wish that you had me to hold

When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Maroon 5's song "Harder To Breathe" are about a difficult relationship where the singer is feeling frustrated with his partner's criticism and demanding behavior. He admits to having a tendency to get physical when angry, but also acknowledges that his partner is draining him emotionally. The chorus suggests that they are both struggling in the relationship and feeling like it's becoming increasingly difficult to tolerate the strain.

The verse "What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head / You should know better you never listened to a word I said" suggests that communication is a major issue in the relationship. The singer feels like his partner is not taking his concerns seriously and may be causing him psychological distress.

The refrain "Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe" emphasizes the feeling of suffocation and desperation in the relationship. The sense of isolation and helplessness is heightened by the comparison to a little girl crying in the face of a monster in her dreams.

Overall, "Harder To Breathe" is a song about a relationship that is unraveling due to communication breakdowns, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of desperation on both sides.

Line by Line Meaning

How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable
You have no right to judge or criticize the way I act.

So condescending unnecessarily critical
By being unnecessarily critical, you are looking down upon me in a judgmental manner.

I have the tendency of getting very physical
I may become violent or aggressive in certain situations.

So watch your step 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle
Be careful around me, because if I act out physically, you'll need a miracle to avoid harm.

You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
Your behavior exhausts and drains me emotionally, prompting me to question why I am even in this relationship or situation.

The double vision I was seeing is finally clear
I am finally beginning to see clearly and understand the true nature of our relationship and your actions.

You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
You are aware that I desire for you to leave, but you still want to remain in this relationship or situation.

Not fit to fuckin' tread the ground I'm walking on
You are not worthy to be in my presence or to walk in the same spaces that I do.

When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
When you are alone and have no one to love or care for you.

You'll understand what I mean when I say
You will comprehend and identify with my feelings and experiences when I express them to you.

There's no way we're gonna give up
We are not going to give up, no matter how difficult things become.

And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Similar to how a child reacts when confronted with a frightening monster that haunts her dreams.

Is there anyone out there 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there who can understand and help me, because the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to handle.

What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
Your actions and behavior are negatively affecting my thoughts and emotions.

You should know better you never listened to a word I said
You are not paying attention to what I am expressing to you, despite knowing better.

Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
You are experiencing physical and emotional distress, as symbolized by tightly holding your pillow and sweating without clothes.

Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did
Hoping that someone else will treat you as I did in the past, despite our current situation.

Does it kill
Does it hurt you deeply?

Does it burn
Does it cause a painful feeling?

Is it painful to learn
Is it difficult for you to process or understand this information?

That it's me that has all the control
Realizing that I am the one who has complete control over the situation and our relationship.

Does it thrill
Does it excite you?

Does it sting
Does it cause a sharp or unpleasant feeling?

When you feel what I bring
When you experience what I can provide in this relationship or situation.

And you wish that you had me to hold
You desire to have me in your arms and to feel my embrace.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM LEVINE, JAMES VALENTINE, JAMES B. VALENTINE, JESSE ROYAL CARMICHAEL, MICHAEL ALLEN MADDEN, MICKEY MADDEN, RYAN MICHAEL DUSICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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