“Breakaway” is a heartfelt song sung by Kelly Clarkson, an American singer. It was written by Matthew Gerrard, Bridget Benenate, and Avril Lavigne.
Originally, it was meant for Avril Lavigne’s first album, Let Go, but it ended up not making the cut. Instead, Kelly Clarkson recorded it for the movie soundtrack of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
The song tells the story of a girl from a small town who pursues her dreams and seeks self-improvement.
In this article, we’ll analyze the meaning behind the lyrics.
“Breakaway” Background
“Breakaway” was originally written by Avril Lavigne, Bridget Benenate, and Matthew Gerrard. Benenate revealed that the song was crafted in 2001 during Lavigne’s early days, while they were working on her debut album, Let Go. Lavigne’s personal experiences and thoughts inspired the song.
In an interview with Songwriter Universe, Benenate reminisced about the creative process, stating:
Avril talked about her life and what things were important to her – she was the inspiration for the song. Matthew began creating the melody and track, and I started working on the lyrics.
I remember staying in bed for three days, writing 25 versions of the lyric. I love being in bed and writing lyrics, and having my dog Jet and my kitty Dash on the bed. Anyway, we finally finished the lyric, then we completed the demo.
After the song didn’t fit Lavigne’s album, it was offered to several artists, including Samantha Moore, before Kelly Clarkson recorded it.
Clarkson mentioned in an MTV interview that she recorded “Breakaway” to keep fans satisfied until she released the first single from her second album later that year. Despite this, the song’s massive success led Clarkson to include it on her album, which she named Breakaway.
“Breakaway” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I’d just stare out my window
Dreamin’ of what could be
And if I’d end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)
In Verse 1, Kelly Clarkson describes growing up in a small town where rainy days were common. She recalls gazing out of her window, imagining a better future and wondering if she would ever find happiness. Despite her doubts, she turned to prayer for guidance and hope.
[Verse 2]
Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed (I would pray)
I could break away
In Verse 2, Kelly Clarkson talks about her struggles to communicate and feel heard. Despite her efforts to reach out, she feels like no one listens to her.
She longs to fit in but senses that something is amiss. Despite these challenges, she continues to hope and pray for a way to break free from her constraints and find her true path.
[Chorus 1]
I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly
I’ll do what it takes ’til I touch the sky
And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won’t forget all the ones that I love
I’ll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
In Chorus 1, Kelly Clarkson expresses her determination to pursue her dreams and break free from limitations, as she sings, “I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly, I’ll do what it takes ’til I touch the sky.”
Clarkson vows to do whatever it takes to reach her goals, even if it means taking risks and making changes in her life, as expressed in the line “And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change.”
The lines “And break away, out of the darkness and into the sun” signify a transition from a difficult or challenging situation into a brighter, more positive future.
Despite her desire for a new beginning, she acknowledges the importance of cherishing the people she loves along the way in the line “But I won’t forget all the ones that I love.”
[Verse 3]
Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane
Far away (I will)
And break away
In Verse 3, Kelly Clarkson expresses her longing for adventure and escape from her current surroundings.
She yearns for experiences like feeling the warm breeze, sleeping under a palm tree, and being swept away by the ocean’s rush.
Clarkson desires to embark on new journeys, whether it’s boarding a fast train or traveling on a jet plane, to distant destinations far from her current life.
Despite the uncertainties of where these travels may lead her, she remains determined to break free and pursue her dreams of exploration and discovery.
[Bridge]
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging ’round revolving doors
Maybe I don’t know where they’ll take me, but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, break away
In the bridge, Kelly Clarkson describes encountering towering buildings with countless floors and revolving doors, symbolizing the complexities and challenges she faces.
Despite not knowing where her path will take her, Clarkson resolves to keep moving forward, embracing change and taking risks along the way. She sings, “Maybe I don’t know where they’ll take me, but, Gotta keep moving on, moving on, Fly away, break away.”
[Chorus 2]
I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly (Learn how to fly)
Though it’s not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
Out of the darkness and into the sun (Into the sun)
But I won’t forget of the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away
In Chorus 2, Kelly Clarkson reaffirms her commitment to pursuing her dreams and breaking free from limitations.
She emphasizes her determination to spread her wings and learn how to fly, despite the difficulties of saying goodbye to her past, declaring, “I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly (Learn how to fly).”
Clarkson acknowledges the importance of taking risks and making changes in order to move forward.
While she looks forward to a brighter future in the sun, she also acknowledges the significance of her roots and where she comes from, as expressed in the line, “But I won’t forget of the place I come from.”
[Outro]
Break away
Break away
In the outro, Kelly Clarkson repeats the phrase “Break away” as a final affirmation of her determination to break free from limitations and pursue her dreams.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Breakaway”
“Breakaway” is a song about a small-town girl chasing her dreams. Clarkson admitted that she could relate to the song, saying:
It describes how I got into the business, verbatim. I did grow up in a small town, I wanted to get out, I felt like there was something… not better for me, but something different for me. I didn’t feel like I fit in at school. Whether you are a DJ, or if you work with computers, or if you’re a teacher, everyone has that point where they feel, ‘I’m bored and this isn’t what I wanted to do with my life.’
In the song, Clarkson reflects on her experiences of feeling confined, longing for a sense of purpose in life. However, she remains determined to overcome these obstacles, expressing a desire to spread her wings and learn how to fly.
As she sings, “I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly, I’ll do what it takes ’til I touch the sky,” Clarkson embraces the metaphor of flying to represent the pursuit of independence and the courage to pursue one’s dreams, even in the face of uncertainty.
As Clarkson imagines new adventures and experiences, she embraces the idea of taking risks and making changes to create a better life for herself, declaring, “I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, And break away.”
Though she repeatedly sings “break away,” she also recognises the importance of cherishing her relationships and memories, as expressed in the lines, “Out of the darkness and into the sun, But I won’t forget all the ones that I love.”
In the end, the song “Break Away” expresses a desire to break free from the confines of current circumstances, whether they be emotional struggles, feelings of being unheard, or a longing for something more.
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