I've written quite a few posts about music. I love it. I get lost in it. Most mornings I wake up to a tune or lyric stuck in my head. The song always has something to do with where I am in life at that moment or proves to be a premonition of things to come. This morning was no different.
A guitar riff sounded off in my mind and I heard the words, "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?" Oh yeah. Maroon 5 baby! Now if you're just tuning in, let me let you in on a little secret. I <3 Adam Levine. And I am loving his hair in this video...
Anyway, "Harder to Breathe" is hands down my all-time fave Maroon 5 song. The intro is hard. The trash talking is incredible. And nothing says "eat my shorts" like the chorus:
"When it gets cold outside, and I 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 monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there 'cuz it's getting harder and harder to breathe."
Levine actually wrote "Harder to Breathe" out of frustration with his record label. The song itself describes the pain of getting over a relationship. However, the song's tough lyrics and sound are actually a result of him being told to write more songs for an album he believed was finished. Well that explains a lot. Lines like, "I have a tendency of getting very physical. So watch your step 'cuz if I do you'll need a miracle" had me giving Mr. Levine a serious side eye.
One cannot truly appreciate these lyrics until they've experienced heartache...and retribution. I'm not talking about "slash his tires" retribution (and if you're doing that, stop!) I mean that subtle shift in the power structure of a relationship that puts all the cards in your hands. Let me give you an example. Your ex left you stranded on the corner of "Broken Dreams Blvd" & "Heartbreak Hotel Pl". You were torn and traumatized for months. Out of nowhere, a new Mr. Wonderful comes along leaving your past relationship a distant memory. Then your former lover resurfaces with a fresh set of lies in tow. There's nothing like that feeling of, "nope...not gonna happen...stop groveling...SIR, you're better than this."
"Harder to Breathe" captures the essence of that moment when you know you've gained the upper hand. The moment when you can finally let go of that haunting feeling and say, "it's your turn now". No more longing and wanting. No more "what ifs". For me, it represents that moment of clarity where you can physically hear your heels clacking on the pavement as you move on to a better life.
Every once in a while, my Catholic guilt acts up and I feel like it's wrong to have these emotions... like it's rude and arrogant to feel this way. But alas, I'm human. I'm never rude, disrespectful or even point out the fact that said person did this to themselves. What's the point? They already know. It's important not to thrive on this feeling for too long because we never know what misfortunes can be lurking just around the corner. Nonetheless, if this story sounds familiar, take a Naomi Campbell style walk and strike the sassiest pose you can think of. You deserve it!
