The song “Give Your Heart a Break” is sung by Demi Lovato. It’s from her album called “Unbroken,” which came out in 2011. The song was released as a single on January 23, 2012, by Hollywood Records. It’s the second and last single from the album. The people who wrote and produced the song are Josh Alexander and Billy Steinberg.
“Give Your Heart a Break” has drums, violin, and strings in it. Some music critics say the violin and strings sound like those in Coldplay’s song “Viva la Vida.”
The lyrics of the song tell the story of someone trying to win back her lover who’s been hurt in the past and is scared to love again.
In this article, we’ll look into what the lyrics mean.
Table of Contents
“Give Your Heart a Break” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
The day I first met you
You told me you’d never fall in love
But now that I get you
I know fear is what it really was
In verse 1, Demi Lovato reflects on the initial encounter with her lover. She recalls that during their first meeting, the lover expressed reluctance to fall in love.
The line “You told me you’d never fall in love” suggests that the lover had reservations or perhaps had experienced past heartbreaks that made him wary of opening up to love again.
Lovato realizes that the underlying reason for this reluctance was fear. The line “But now that I get you, I know fear is what it really was” shows that she has come to understand the lover’s true emotion.
This suggests that despite his initial resistance, the lover has gradually opened up, allowing the singer to comprehend the vulnerability and apprehension he feels towards love.
[Pre-Chorus]
Now here we are, so close
Yet so far, haven’t I passed the test?
When will you realize
Baby, I’m not like the rest?
The pre-chorus serves as a plea or an appeal to the lover to recognize the depth of her feelings and the sincerity of her intentions.
The line “Now here we are, so close” shows that Lovato and her lover have grown closer over time, suggesting a significant level of emotional intimacy within the relationship. However, despite this closeness, there is still a sense of distance or hesitancy on the part of the lover, as expressed by the phrase “Yet so far.”
The next line, “Haven’t I passed the test?” reveals Lovato’s frustration regarding the lover’s reluctance to fully commit to the relationship. She may be questioning whether she has done enough to prove her love and loyalty, seeking validation from the lover.
In the final line “When will you realize, baby, I’m not like the rest?” Lovato expresses her desire for her lover to recognize her uniqueness and the depth of her affection. She wants the lover to understand that she is different from others who may have hurt him in the past.
[Chorus]
Don’t wanna break your heart, wanna give your heart a break
I know you’re scared it’s wrong, like you might make a mistake
There’s just one life to live and there’s no time to wait, to waste
So let me give your heart a break
In the chorus, Demi Lovato expresses her desire to alleviate her lover’s fears and uncertainties about love.
Lovato begins by assuring her lover that she doesn’t want to cause him any further pain or heartache. Instead, she wants to offer him a respite from his emotional turmoil by providing him with love and support, singing, “Don’t wanna break your heart, wanna give your heart a break.”
Lovato acknowledges her lover’s apprehension and fear of getting hurt again. She understands that he may feel hesitant to fully embrace his feelings out of fear of making a mistake or experiencing more heartbreak, as she sings, “I know you’re scared it’s wrong, like you might make a mistake.”
Lovato emphasizes the importance of seizing the moment and not letting opportunities for love pass by. She encourages her lover to overcome their fears and take a chance on love because life is too short to waste dwelling on past pain. She sings, “There’s just one life to live and there’s no time to wait, to waste.”
The line “So let me give your heart a break” serves as a plea from Lovato to her lover, asking for the chance to provide him with the love and comfort he needs to heal and move forward in their relationship.
[Post-Chorus]
Give your heart a break, let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break, oh yeah, yeah
In the post-chorus, Lovato reiterates her plea for her lover to allow themselves a break from their emotional burdens, singing, “Give your heart a break, let me give your heart a break.” She wants to be the source of solace and relief for them, offering her love and understanding as a means of healing their wounded heart.
[Verse 2]
On Sunday, you went home
Alone, there were tears in your eyes
I called your cell phone
My love, but you did not reply
In verse 2, Lovato describes a specific moment when her lover returned home alone, as she sings, “On Sunday, you went home alone, there were tears in your eyes.” He may have been going through a difficult time or experiencing emotional distress. The mention of tears in his eyes suggests that he’s deeply affected by his past experiences and may be struggling to cope with his emotions.
Lovato reveals her attempt to reach out to her lover, possibly to offer support or comfort during his time of need. She sings, “I called your cell phone, my love, but you did not reply.” However, the lack of response shows that the lover may be avoiding contact or distancing himself emotionally.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
The world is ours if we want it
We can take it, if you just take my hand
There’s no turning back now
Baby, try to understand
In Pre-Chorus 2, Lovato presents an optimistic outlook on their relationship, suggesting that they have the potential to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities for happiness together. She sings, The world is ours if we want it, we can take it, if you just take my hand.”
In the line “There’s no turning back now, baby, try to understand,” Lovato emphasizes that they have reached a crucial moment in their relationship where they must move forward together, leaving behind the past and embracing the possibilities of the future. Lovato implores her lover to understand the significance of this moment and to embrace the opportunity for growth and love.
[Post-Chorus 2]
Give your heart a break, let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break, there’s just so much you can take
Give your heart a break, let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break, oh yeah, yeah
In the Post-Chorus 2, Lovato repeats her plea for her lover to allow himself some respite from his emotional burdens, singing, “Give your heart a break, let me give your heart a break.” She reiterates her willingness to be there for him, offering her love and understanding as a means of easing his pain and worries.
The line “Your heart a break, there’s just so much you can take” acknowledges the struggles that her lover may be facing and emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself amidst difficult circumstances.
[Bridge]
When your lips are on my lips
Then our hearts beat as one
But you slip out of my fingertips
Every time you run
Woah, woah
In the bridge, Lovato describes a moment of intimacy between herself and her lover, singing, “When your lips are on my lips, then our hearts beat as one.” This line emphasizes the powerful connection and chemistry between them, suggesting that their love has the ability to transcend their fears and insecurities.
In the line “But you slip out of my fingertips every time you run,” Lovato expresses the frustration and heartache she feels when her lover pulls away or distances himself emotionally. Despite their moments of intimacy, she feels like she is unable to fully grasp onto their love, as her lover always retreats when faced with his fears.
[Chorus 2]
Don’t wanna break your heart, wanna give your heart a break (Don’t wanna break your heart)
I know you’re scared it’s wrong, like you might make a mistake (I know you’re scared it’s wrong)
There’s just one life to live and there’s no time to wait, to waste
So let me give your heart a break (Let me give your heart)
‘Cause you’ve been hurt before, I can see it in your eyes
You try to smile it away, some things, you can’t disguise
Don’t wanna break your heart, baby, I can ease the ache, the ache
So let me give your heart a break
In Chorus 2, Lovato reaffirms her commitment to her lover, emphasizing that her intention is not to cause him any further pain or heartache, as she sings, “Don’t wanna break your heart, wanna give your heart a break.” Instead, she wants to offer him a reprieve from his emotional burdens by providing him with love and understanding.
In the line “I know you’re scared it’s wrong, like you might make a mistake,” Lovato acknowledges her lover’s fear and uncertainty about love, recognizing that he may be hesitant to fully embrace his feelings out of fear of being hurt again.
Lovato encourages her lover to overcome his fears and take a chance on love, reminding him that life is too short to waste dwelling on past pain, as she sings, “There’s just one life to live and there’s no time to wait, to waste.”
In the line “‘Cause you’ve been hurt before, I can see it in your eyes,” Lovato acknowledges the pain and past experiences that have left scars on her lover’s heart. She empathizes with his emotional wounds and demonstrates her insight into his inner struggles by recognizing the pain reflected in his eyes.
Lovato observes her lover’s attempts to mask his pain with a smile, but she understands that some emotional wounds run too deep to conceal. She sings, “You try to smile it away, some things, you can’t disguise.”
Lovato reassures her lover that she is capable of soothing his emotional pain and providing him with the comfort and solace he needs. She offers herself as a source of healing and support, singing, “Don’t wanna break your heart, baby, I can ease the ache, the ache.”
In the final line “So let me give your heart a break,” Lovato reiterates her plea for her lover to allow her to be there for him, offering her love and support as a means of healing and renewal.
Music Video
The music video for “Give Your Heart a Break” was directed by Justin Francis and filmed in late February 2012. It premiered on E! on April 2, 2012, and was released by Vevo on April 3, 2012.
In the video, Lovato and her boyfriend (portrayed by Alex Bechet) are seen having an argument over the phone. After the argument, Lovato gathers photos of them together from their apartment. Later that night, she goes to her boyfriend’s apartment and puts up the photos on a wall across the street from his front door.
Each picture holds a memory, which Lovato reminisces about. Her boyfriend notices the collage of pictures from his window, including one where they are smiling. The video ends with Lovato walking away, confident that her gesture has worked.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Give Your Heart a Break”
“Give Your Heart a Break” conveys a message of showing love, patience, and understanding to someone who has been hurt before. It’s about proving your love and loyalty to them, despite their reservations and fear of getting hurt again. The song encourages breaking down emotional barriers and letting love in.
Demi shared more about the track in a Twitter video. She said:
“19-years-old … sometimes it feels like during that brief time that I’ve been alive that I’ve lived through more emotions than people twice my age. I think that’s the reason I sing about love so often in the music I make.”
She clarified that despite the title’s reference to “heartbreak,” the song is actually about the opposite. She explained:
“Last year I began working on a song about a different kind of love. It’s a song about showing someone you love that you’re the one right in front of them. This is a song about faith.”
The song tells the story of a woman who is deeply in love with her partner but recognizes his past hurt and fear of being hurt again.
Throughout the song, Demi Lovato reassures her lover that she is there to provide comfort and solace, urging him to let go of his fears and embrace the love that she offers.
The lyrics reflect the complexities of love, acknowledging the challenges and insecurities that can arise from past experiences. Lovato’s plea for her lover to “give your heart a break” embodies her desire to alleviate his emotional burdens and help him heal from his pain.
As Lovato sings, “Don’t wanna break your heart, wanna give your heart a break,” she emphasizes her intention to protect her partner’s heart and create a safe space for their love to flourish.
In the end, the phrase “give your heart a break” implies taking a moment to heal from past hurts and fears, and to embrace the possibility of love once more, allowing oneself to be vulnerable in matters of the heart.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.