Harder to Breathe

Produced by

Initially thought to be a song about a breakup with a lover due to its sexual undertones, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine admitted the song was in relation to the band’s… Read More

Jun. 25, 20021 viewer97.6K views

Harder to Breathe Lyrics

[Verse 1]
How dare you say that my behavior's unacceptable
So condescending, unnecessarily critical
I have the tendency of getting very physical
So watch your step, 'cause if I do, you'll need a miracle
You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
The double vision I was seeing is finally clear
You want to stay, but you know very well I want you gone
Not fit to fuckin' tread the ground that I am walking on

[Chorus]
But when it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
"There's no way we're gonna give up" (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

[Verse 2]
What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
You should know better, you never listened to a word I said
Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did

See Maroon 5 Live

Get tickets as low as $51

[Chorus]
But when it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
"There's no way we're gonna give up" (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
She said, is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

[Bridge]
And 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?

[Chorus]
But when it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
"There's no way we're gonna give up" (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there?
'Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe

About

Initially thought to be a song about a breakup with a lover due to its sexual undertones, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine admitted the song was in relation to the band’s frustration with their record label’s pressure on making more material for their debut album.

Q&A

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

How was the guitar incorporated into the song?

That was a pretty straight-ahead riff and we went the Jimmy Page route on recording that. I believe it was one of Matt Wallace’s little Gibson Supros, which is pretty ironic because it’s probably the biggest guitar sound on the record and it’s probably from the smallest amp. We actually used the Supro a lot and we also used the Champ a lot and those were from Matt Wallace’s personal collection. Those always ended up doing the trick most of the time."

James Valentine via Ultimate Guitar

Who produced “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5?

When did Maroon 5 release “Harder to Breathe”?

Who wrote “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5?