Breathe Lyrics

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
I see your face in my mind as I drive away
'Cause none of us thought it was gonna end that way

People are people and sometimes, we change our minds
But it's killing me to see you go after all this time


[Verse 2: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
Music starts playing like the end of a sad movie
It's the kind of ending you don't really wanna see
'Cause it's tragedy and it'll only bring you down

Now, I don't know what to be without you around

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

[Chorus: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
And I can't breathe without you, but I have to
Breathe without you, but I have to


[Verse 3: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
Never wanted this, never wanna see you hurt
Every little bump in the road, I tried to swerve

But people are people and sometimes, it doesn't work out
Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

[Chorus: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
And I can't breathe without you, but I have to
Breathe without you but I have to


[Bridge: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
It's 2 A.M, feeling like I just lost a friend
Hope you know it's not easy, easy for me
It's 2 A.M, feeling like I just lost a friend
Hope you know this ain't easy, easy for me


[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me, oh-oh

[Chorus: Taylor Swift with Colbie Caillat]
I can't breathe without you, but I have to
Breathe without you, but I have to
Breathe without you, but I have to


[Outro: Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat]
I'm sorry, I'm sorry (Mmm)
I'm sorry, (Yeah, yeah) I'm sorry
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
I'm sorry

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About

Genius Annotation

“Breathe” is a country-pop song performed by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, featuring Colbie Caillat as the co-writer and backing vocals. The song was written by Swift and Caillat and produced by Nathan Chapman with Swift’s aid. It is the seventh track from Swift’s second studio album, Fearless released in 2008. The song was written about the end of a friendship. Musically, the song is driven by acoustic guitar.

The song received favorable responses from contemporary music critics. “Breathe” was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, but lost to Jason Mraz and Caillat’s “Lucky”. “Breathe” peaked at number eighty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Its appearance tied Swift with Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) for two records on the Billboard Hot 100.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Taylor Swift say about "Breathe"?
Genius Answer

Swift explained to That’s Country that this tune is:

A song about having to say goodbye to somebody, but it never blames anybody. Sometimes that’s the most difficult part. When it’s nobody’s fault.

Caillat talked about how they collaborated:

I went to Nashville about a year and a half ago, and she wanted to write with me, and I flew there and she had this beautiful song started and it’s about having to let someone go and say goodbye to a really good friend. And we became friends after that. She is so sweet, so beautiful, so talented and honestly just a really intelligent young woman. She knows what she is doing and she knows how to handle her career and take charge. I love her.

What certifications has the song received?
Genius Answer

“Breathe” is certified Gold by the RIAA.

Is there a behind the scenes look at the making of the song?
Genius Answer


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