Music Review: Demi Lovato "Give Your Heart A Break"

Demi Lovato

Give Your Heart A Break

Album: Unbroken

Year: 2012

           Demi Lovato cuts her current guy some slack in the forgiving “Give Your Heart A Break.”

           Climatic strings open the single, setting a resolute tone. She counts to ten in her head before saying anything. He’s sitting in the chair, his eyes looking down on the floor. She knew he would argue with her. At the party where they met, she put her hand on his and twirled her hair. He pulled his hand away and outright said to her he wasn’t into serious relationships. Over the last six months, she got to know him and saw how sensitive he really is. He has a tendency to fear the worst. She had hoped she had gotten through to him somewhat. However, he has to know how frustrated she is. She finally tells him he has to trust her. (“The day I first met you/You told me you'd never fall in love/But now that I get you/I know fear is what it really was/Now here we are, so close, yet so far/Haven't I passed the test?/When will you realize/Baby I'm not like the rest?”)

                          In the chorus, she wants to him to be comfortable opening up to her. He worries he won’t treat her well or he’s hesitant to disagree with her. She tells him time is flying by past and before they know it, another year will be over. She asks him to give a relationship with her a chance. (“Don't wanna break your heart/Wanna give your heart a break/I know you're scared it's wrong/Like you might make a mistake/There's just one life to live/And there's no time to waste/So let me give your heart a break/Give your heart a break/Let me give your heart a break/Your heart a break.”)

           Last weekend, he dropped her off at her apartment after she talked with him. She tried getting him to talk to her, assuring him she wasn’t angry with him but she doesn’t know how to reach him. His eyes glistened, wet with his tears. In a hoarse voice, he told her goodbye. About an hour later, she called him to see how he was doing. It’s now Wednesday and she hasn’t heard from him. She tells him there is so much they could do. They have already developed a relationship. At this point, a date is going to change much. (“On Sunday you went home alone/There were tears in your eyes/I called your cell phone, my love/But you did not reply/The world is ours, if we want it/We can take it if you just take my hand/There's no turning back now/Baby try to understand.”)

                 In the second chorus, she adds he’s been beaten down and broken from the rejection he’s experienced. However, she would like to show him that like her, there are people who do look out for him. (“Don’t wanna break your heart…There just so much you can take/Give your heart a break/Let me give your heart a break/Your heart a break.”)

              In the bridge, sometimes after he kisses her, he will stop suddenly and say he has to go. She’s left wondering if she pushed too far. (“When your lips are on my lips/And our hearts beat as one/But you slip out of my finger tips/Every time you run.”)

              The second chorus is sung again.    

              She sings the first lyric of the song to end the single. (“The day I first met you, you told me you'd never fall in love.”)

         Lovato’s hearty vocals lay it on the line, telling him what will happen if they don’t act now. When her naturally raspy cracks, she’s been struggling whether to give up or continue being in his life. However, he’s been good to her and by leaving; she would be proving him right.

               The stubborn “Give Your Heart A Break” applies some gentle pressure and a steady hand.