Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Album: After The Gold Rush (1970)
Charted: 33
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  • When you were young
    And on your own
    How did it feel to be alone
    I was always thinking of games
    That I was playing
    Trying to make the best of my time

    But only love can break your heart
    Try to be sure right from the start
    Yes, only love can break your heart
    What if your world should fall apart

    I have a friend I've never seen
    He hides his head inside a dream
    Someone should call him and see
    If he can come out
    Trying to lose the down that he's found

    But only love can break your heart
    Try to be sure right from the start
    Yes, only love can break your heart
    What if your world should fall apart

    I have a friend I've never seen
    He hides his head inside a dream

    Yes, only love can break your heart
    Yes, only love can break your heart
    Yes, only love can break your heart
    Yes, only love can break your heart
    Yes, only love can break your heart Writer/s: Neil Young
    Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

  • Jon from NyPaul, David said this is MOSTLY an acoustic album, and he's right. He didn't say it was an ALL-acoustic album. It's the Songfacts people who got that wrong.
  • Mark from TexasI think David is right that Neil Young wrote this song about himself. Apparently there was an interview where Young, when asked, confirmed the song was about the breakup of Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell. But I think he might have said that to get an interviewer to leave him alone and to keep from being pestered about the identity of his crush. I think the line "I have a friend I've never seen. He hides his head inside a dream." is about a strong and unrequited love that Neil Young felt for someone and his thoughts or dreams about being with her. The rest of the song also fits such an interpretation.
  • David from Huntington Beach, CaThis is mostly an acoustic album. (I refer to Paul) It has Southern Man and When You Dance I can really Love, but still it is pretty much an acosutic album.
  • David from Huntington Beach, CaOne of those songs that utilizes Neil's heart breaking voice to it's fullest...
  • Joni from New York, NyA very touching song. It nearly made me cry. It's weird to like this kind of music and hear people talking about the people involved. I was named for Joni Mitchell.
  • Guilliermo from New York, NyWHEN YOU DANCE I CAN REALLY LOVE is not an acoustic song either
  • Frank from Westminster, ScEvery time I hear his vocals on this song, I wonder: Is it possible that Neil Young and Olive Oyl were separated at birth?
  • David from , CaI always thought he was singing about himself. It's funny that even though this is lyrically one of his more straightforward songs it is still ambiguous. If anyone has quotes from or a link to the interview where Neil discusses this song I'd like to read it.
  • Fyodor from Denver, CoI wonder why it was about Graham Nash? Was it when Joni Mitchell dumped him?
  • Robert from Trumbull, CtGene Pitney had a hit with a different song with this title in the early 60's
  • Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScGood point Paul. "Southern Man" is on this album.
  • Paul from Toledo, OhThe entire album AFTER THE GOLDRUSH is not acoustic. Why do I keep hearing this? One of Young's best electric song's SOUTHERN MAN was released on this album.
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesUK indie faves St. Etienne did a cover of this song in 1990 - not as good as the original, though
  • Jason from Milton, CanadaThis song is actually the third song on the After the Goldrush.
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