Breathe
Tahliah Debrett Barnett (born 16 January 1988), known professionally as FKA… Read Full Bio ↴Tahliah Debrett Barnett (born 16 January 1988), known professionally as FKA Twigs (stylized as FKA twigs), is an English singer, songwriter, and dancer. Born and raised in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, she became a backup dancer for numerous famous musicians after moving to London at the age of 17, and made her own musical debut with EP1 (2012) and EP2 (2013).

Barnett's debut studio album, LP1 (2014), reached number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and number 30 on the US Billboard 200. It was also nominated for that year's Mercury Prize. She then released the EP M3LL155X (2015) and took a four-year hiatus, after which she released her second studio album, Magdalene (2019). After signing with Atlantic Records, she released the mixtape Caprisongs (2022). Her work has consistently garnered acclaim and has been described as "genre-bending", drawing on various genres including electronic music, trip hop, R&B, and avant-garde.

Breathe
FKA twigs Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't want you to think that I see through you
When all I see is the reflection of who you are not
I never asked you to contemplate all the things
Whispered in secret while sitting with you in the park

I find out who you are
I lose you in the dark
Though, I'm not too far
Oh, oh, you're further to realize

But I breathe easily in your arms
But I breathe easily where you go

Just breathe, breathe in
Just breathe, breathe in
Just...

Help me in ways of submission,
My body's itching to press on the bruises you hide with a smile
Love to incessantly hate me
I'll cry, but just for a while

I find out who you are
I lose you in the dark
And now you've gone too far
Oh, oh, your shadow is a lie

But I breathe easily in your arms
But I breathe easily where you go

Just...
Just...

Just breathe, breathe in
Just breathe, breathe in
Just...

But I breathe easily in your arms




But I breathe easily where you go
But I breathe easily in your arms

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of FKA twigs's "Breathe" seem to explore the complexities of a relationship as one partner tries to understand the other. The first stanza sets the tone for the song's underlying theme of miscommunication and misunderstanding. The singer is reassuring their partner they don't see through them, but instead, all they see is a distorted version of the person they truly are. It feels like the singer is attempting to create a connection with their partner in order to get closer to them. However, the other partner is difficult to understand and hides behind a facade.


The second stanza explores the idea of submitting to the other person. The singer expresses a desire to enter further into the relationship and engage more intimately with their partner, even if it means encountering their flaws and past hurts. The relationship dynamic seems to be built on a love-hate dichotomy, as the singer mentions that their partner loves to hate them. It feels like the singer is trying to reconcile their inner conflict with that of their partner.


The chorus of the song carries a repetitive melody and lyrics, with the singer finding solace in the presence of their partner. Despite the challenges and misunderstandings that exist within their relationship, they can still breathe easily with their partner by their side.


Overall, "Breathe" is a complex exploration of the dichotomy and internal conflicts present in relationships, and the struggle to truly understand one's partner.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you to think that I see through you
I don't want you to think that I know your true self


When all I see is the reflection of who you are not
When all I see is the facade that you put on


I never asked you to contemplate all the things
I never asked you to overthink everything


Whispered in secret while sitting with you in the park
Whispered in secret while sitting with you, admiring the beauty of the park


I find out who you are
I discover your true self


I lose you in the dark
I lose sight of you in the darkness


Though, I'm not too far
Although I'm not too far away


Oh, oh, you're further to realize
Oh, oh, you're harder to understand


But I breathe easily in your arms
But I feel at ease when I'm in your embrace


But I breathe easily where you go
But I feel at ease when I'm with you


Help me in ways of submission
Help me through acts of surrender


My body's itching to press on the bruises you hide with a smile
I want to touch the marks on your body that you cover up with a smile


Love to incessantly hate me
Love to continuously show dislike for me


I'll cry, but just for a while
I'll cry, but only temporarily


And now you've gone too far
And now you've crossed a line


Oh, oh, your shadow is a lie
Oh, oh, your shadow is deceptive


Just breathe, breathe in
Just inhale deeply


Just breathe, breathe in
Just inhale deeply


Just...
Just...


But I breathe easily in your arms
But I feel at ease when I'm in your embrace


But I breathe easily where you go
But I feel at ease when I'm with you


But I breathe easily in your arms
But I feel at ease when I'm in your embrace




Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@minyoongi-sg5ox

I don't want you to think that I see through you
When all I see is the reflection of who you are not
I never asked you to contemplate all the things
Whispered in secret while sitting with you in the park

I find out who you are
I lose you in the dark
Though you're not too far
You're further to admire

But I breathe easily in your arms
But I breathe easily where you are
Just breathe
Breathe in
Just breathe
Breathe in
Just

Help me in ways of submission
My body's itching to press on the bruises you hide with a smile
Love to incessantly hate me
I'll cry
But just for a while

I find out who you are
I lose you in the dark
And now you've gone too far
Your shadow is alive

But I breathe easily in your arms
But I breathe easily where you are
Just...
Just...
Just breathe
Breathe in
Just breathe
Breathe in
Just breathe
Breathe in
Just breathe
Breathe in
Just breathe

But I breathe easily in your arms
But I breathe easily where you are
But I breathe easily in your arms



All comments from YouTube:

@taylord8198

I still think Breathe is one of her best songs

@leilaniaperson1990

And hide too

@sithabisonxumalo7645

Facts B, more so in light of her newer stuff. I'm REALLY starting to appreciate her older stuff.

@hennafeather

I adore how hungry she seems when she hits the car, and then in contrast how calm she is when she is just standing there. She's like a storm and its phenomenal.

@itswhatyoumakeit6950

Your interpretation is a masterpiece.

@JUST4UJA

When I first heard this song, the music video really confused me because the lyrics in the chorus sounded sweet. However, after listening more to the verses, I think I understand the context now. The relationship is in actuality not romantic at all, it is toxic ( ex:love to incessantly hate me, I'll cry, but just for a while) and causes her so much pain. He is not the person she thought he was (ex: I find out who you are, I lose you in the dark). Yet, she stays because she breathes easily in his arms. She forgets all the pain he causes her because sometimes there's that moment of relief when he grants her attention/validation.. and she chases those moments. :( Reminds me of the cycle of abuse.

@MrTwigged

Who gets chills on the 2:50 mark when the bass and the breath come in. This is what made me fall madly in love.

@Leiluchka

yeahhh

@ChazzTheGuardian

Yesss

@RozWBrazel

I'm only just realizing how there's always been themes of toxicity and partners not giving as much as she puts into a relationship, in her music.

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