Just Breathe Meaning Debate

fortyshades

DeLukin wrote:

Which would indicate to me that it was about a present relationship. I think the beauty of the song is that it could have multiple meanings depending on who is listening.

I think this is the strength of almost all PJ lyrics...

Blueflare

slightofjeff wrote:

There isn't really a debate, because Ed -- in interviews -- has literally spelled out the meaning for us. He says it's about the end of a long, hectic day when all of life's little tasks are complete and the kids are in bed and the lights are low and you're with the one you love ... you don't have to speak to one another ... you just breathe.

It's about being together, and making the most of your time together -- even the silences -- because we're not going to be here much longer.

It's an idea Ed first explored on "Light Years." ("Every inch between us becomes light years now ... no time to be void, or save up on life, got to spend it all.")

It's not about death per se, but about the recognition of one's own mortality and how that knowledge should inform your day to day life.

It is, at its core, a love song. I'd play it at my wedding, if I were to ever have another one.

and this is exactly how i interpreted it. i get so little time with the one who stole my heart that we make the most of every minute we have together...knowing that it could end tomorrow.

fortyshades

slightofjeff wrote:

There isn't really a debate, because Ed -- in interviews -- has literally spelled out the meaning for us. He says it's about the end of a long, hectic day when all of life's little tasks are complete and the kids are in bed and the lights are low and you're with the one you love ... you don't have to speak to one another ... you just breathe.

It's about being together, and making the most of your time together -- even the silences -- because we're not going to be here much longer.

It's an idea Ed first explored on "Light Years." ("Every inch between us becomes light years now ... no time to be void, or save up on life, got to spend it all.")

It's not about death per se, but about the recognition of one's own mortality and how that knowledge should inform your day to day life.

It is, at its core, a love song. I'd play it at my wedding, if I were to ever have another one.

Well, one interpretation doesn't necessarily exclude another one, does it? The recognition of mortality is also the recognition of death. I think, like many PJ songs, we always derive meaning from personal experiences. Like soap that makes you taller

MorpheusII

Saw it last night at Fenway where he dedicated it to Tim Wakefield and his wife (both passed in the last year)....

Reminded my of the interpretations and I found this thread. Definitely a love song, definitely a message to cherish what we have.

For me, I hear the "voice" in the song being someone on their deathbed, reviewing their life with their partner who is holding them as they pass. Reading the lyrics literally, that's where I landed.

No matter the interpretation, it's a beautiful song and I love when he plays it.

The Juggler

MorpheusII said:

Saw it last night at Fenway where he dedicated it to Tim Wakefield and his wife (both passed in the last year)....

Reminded my of the interpretations and I found this thread. Definitely a love song, definitely a message to cherish what we have.

For me, I hear the "voice" in the song being someone on their deathbed, reviewing their life with their partner who is holding them as they pass. Reading the lyrics literally, that's where I landed.

No matter the interpretation, it's a beautiful song and I love when he plays it.

In Philly on Monday he dedicated to a bunch of married couples who met through the band one way or another...

RobinRedHawk

I was just thinking "Sirens" to me is a beautiful love song for something like a wedding, however"Just Breathe" to me is also a love song... Different kind of love.

Get_Right

It is a song that says do not take for granted what you have. But it is also a song that is appropriate for loss of a loved one. It hit me hard when my mom passed right when it came out. Just a testament to Ed's songwriting skills and being able to hit that nerve.
One of my favorite versions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-UKCxCglg

Lost In Ohio

pearlhawk said:

I keep seeing in threads how couples have used Just Breathe as their wedding song, or played the song at their wedding. To me, this seems odd. I think the song is more appropriate for a funeral. Listening to this song, and interpreting the lyrics, it seems clear to me this song is about missing someone that has recently passed away. I suppose with all music, individuals are free to interpret things how they wish, but I just have vision of these lyrics running through a persons head as they think about someone they have recently lost.

Thoughts?

And some people think Born In The USA is a patriotic song to wave a flag to.

As Eddie said about YLed, "It's actually an anti-patriotic song."

HughFreakingDillon

I honestly never interpreted as a lost love song. I felt it was about one person in a relationship, possibly failed, or failing, realizing what they took for granted, and wanting to fix it. But it could be too late to do so. And they always imagined they'd be together forever, even in the after ever, and now because he messed it up in this life, the afterlife together is in question or ruined.