Source: Tumblr/ohnopurple
I’m not sure what to say about “Broken.” I’m in a bit of a daze, to be honest. Hearing it now for the first time (without any snippets at all to prepare me), my first impression is how lovely and unique the melody and rhythm and phrasing is, how hauntingly beautiful the chord progressions (not sure if that’s the right term) and unexpected twists and turns are. How David’s voice, which I pretty much thought couldn’t surprise me anymore, just surprised me. Good surprise. Not a power ballad delivery or pop inflections but like water tumbling through the rocks of a mountain stream.
Forgive me but that’s the picture in my mind that matches what he does with his voice.
I will say I felt a little tricked by the lyrics at the end because I was thinking the song was about one thing and then “Invisible Children” is so literal that it told me what the song was about. Good thing I’m stubborn and I’m going to cling to my own interpretation, which was making me cry … in a good way, lol.
Something about it breaks my heart.
Knowing David wrote this music on his own blows my mind. Besides Falling, have we had a pure 100% “organic free-range”* piece of music from David before?? It’s stunning. And I’m not just saying that because it’s David. I’ve only heard it three times so far and it’s burrowed into my brain already… the part of my brain that craves chocolate… I feel the urge to end this dang post already so I can hear it again. So there you go.
You guys are aware of my undying affection for Elevator and even though this is the polar opposite of that quirky, feel-good anthem, I have a feeling I’m going to love it just as much. It’s thoughtful, achingly tender and soaked in the pain of lost young souls David longs to save.
I know you don’t wanna say goodbye yet
But she can’t survive here with just a petal
You still have one wish, but it’d be useless
More than roses have died in this desert
Child, it seems that younger and younger
They start to wipe your minds clean
But how, I wonder, just barely under do your eyes
Continue sparkling
.
And I, never want to open up your eyes
Everything’s broken
And I, never want to open up your heart
Everything’s broken
I don’t understand why they are gone
Or what reason there is to be strong
I still try to love, but I’m in a place
Where doing what’s right is so wrong
But if you see me ignore the gun
We are still fighting for life
Here’s our wish just to exist
In more than our eyes
And I, never want to open up your eyes
Everything’s broken
And I, never want to open up your heart
Everything’s broken
Do you see what I see?
Do you feel what I feel?
It doesn’t matter until we see broken lives heal
Do you see what I see?
Do you feel what I feel?
It doesn’t matter until we see broken lives heal
Oh (Oh… oh, woah)… Oh no (Oooohhh)… yeah
And I, find it hard to open up my mouth
Will they hear what’s spoken
But I, saw when I opened up my eyes
Invisible children
Broke, but not broken
Broke, but not broken
But who the heck cares what I think, what do you guys think????
*one of my favourite expressions from the lovely @thebeebee
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
Hooray! You got to listen to the whole song first time!!! Anything I say would look like over the top hyperbole. It’s gooooooood! It plumbs new emotional depth. 😀
TOfan, I am happy for you, you got to listen to the song! I have yet to come up with some appropriate words for David’s song Broken. All I know is that I have been listening on repeat since last night and every chance I got today. Heck, the snippets made me teary eyed, never mind the whole song. Only heard the Invisible Children part with the whole song, explains many things.
One of the most sensitive, emotional and beautiful songs. That added to David’s incredible heartfelt delivery of the song with his gorgeous voice, I would think this could soften the hardest of hearts.
Love what you wrote: ‘like water tumbling through the rocks of a mountain stream. and this:
“It’s thoughtful, achingly tender and soaked in the pain of lost young souls David longs to save.”
Beautifully said and oh yes it is and it is just amazing. Really liked your write-up.
Must say too, that I am so happy with that tweet…that David is excited about his album coming out next week. His musical soul really never leaves us (or him). I think his fans are somewhat ecstatic…a little like that pic in the sidebar, lol. Have to laugh whenever I see that. 🙂
😦 I just wrote a long comment and it got erased right before I was about to push send 😦 ah well, not retyping it right now. Maybe in the morning. lol
More amazing news!!!!
Beautiful write up Tofan!! Love the song and David’s beautiful soul. So much passion, empathy,compassion and hopefulness. Actually speechless. Oh and that doesn’t even touch the beauty of his composing and singing. I’m happy you got to hear a Whole song.
Squee about Rainbow. Happy Crush Anniversary!!
Okay I am back.
“like water tumbling through the rocks of a mountain stream.” >>> PERFECT description. Like actually. I never would have thought to use those words but it’s absolutely perfect. ❤
I loooooove his voice on this song. It's like I've never heard it before. So much emotion and passion and yet it seems very intimate at the same time. Like he's whispering in my ear.
Love the lyrics too! I find them more complex than other songs of his. Like there's more mystery in the lyrics. Even with that "Invisible children" lyrics, I still feel like other parts of the song are about other things I can't quite grasp. And I like that.
I LOVE this part:
Do you see what I see?
Do you feel what I feel?
It doesn’t matter until we see broken lives heal
To me this is calling for people to go out and help someone. Let's stop the arguing or politics about what is morally right or morally wrong. About which religion is better. And let's instead move this argument out of the theoretical and into the practical. Let's go out and actually love and help some people who really need it. And I really like that <333
Abanana…wonderful thoughts. Yes, help and heal and leave the rest. I really like the emphasize on the feelings and well being of the individual in need. Very inspiring!
I am loving everyone’s thoughts on this; so just picture me sitting here, nodding affirmatively and smiling.
“Broken” has now passed 60 iTunes listens for me, and I still can’t find the right words without becoming a soppy cliché machine. There are so many elements—both technical and emotional—that are completely worthy of a “Did you hear that!?!”
I need to listen some more.
Beautifully put, abanana! Loved every word! esp. this: I still feel like other parts of the song are about other things I can’t quite grasp. And I like that.” … I like that too! … and “Let’s go out and actually love and help some people who really need it.” …ditto!!
and maybe his voice sounds so different, like, as you say, we’ve “never heard it before” because of the magic of hearing his voice singing music that’s all his… can’t wait for more!!!!
I’m with archugeezer…..I’m smiling and nodding!! Love the post TOfan and loving all the comments 🙂
abanana, I felt that too – invisible children is inclusive, but that the song paints an even broader stroke. And just gotta say, your last paragraph, amen sister!
The magic of hearing his voice singing music that’s all his – YES. Will we survive is the question?
haha, good question, J.! esp. considering I think I broke a replay record on my iPod today! 😆
TOfan: Really enjoyed your write up about Broken. It is such a beautiful, emotional and thought provoking song!! Looking forward to hearing all the songs on this amazing album!!
So I played “Broken” for Mr. TOfan and he said, “it’s like Archie’s away on a desert island going good deeds and he sent you guys a message in a bottle” … 🙂 🙂 🙂
….some message, huh.
(Mr TOfan, a pretty swell guy)
Part 4 of the BEGIN. BTS vids!!!! *spoiler alert* for snippet virgins (or am I the only one left? lol), he sings a bit of “Angel” 😯
haha I was watching it and he started singing and I freaked out (cause I hadn’t listened to it yet). Is there a gif of David freaking out over hearing himself sing I’m Yours and throwing the headphones off his ears? Well that’s pretty much exactly what I was like. lol
like this? 😆
EXACTLY like that. lol
Every time I listen to Broken I love it more and more. Now that I know what its about I can really feel the compassion that David has for hurting children and his desire to have us feel the way he does. He wants his music to help make the world a better place. God bless him !!!
Just “Imagine”d hearing “Broken” live. Uh, yeah. I think that may be a “broken” moment. *sniff*
Here’s our wish just to exist
In more than our eyes
eek, that would be incredible, kiz! I know we won’t get that for at least 2 years but when I saw the studio pic of him I used in the post (with D. at the piano), I couldn’t help but think he was wearing such a fancy shirt because they filmed it. 🙂 🙂 🙂 *hopes*
*FINGERS CROSSED* That would be divine!
****FINGERS MEGA CROSSED**** Hahaha AMAZING thinking!!
There are rumours floating…hope it’s true! Oh my, watching David in that video singing ‘Angel’ at the mike, so moving. My goodness, he sings that so beautifully. Like David I just love Sarah’s original too but David has added another love to that song, very special!
Broken….you are my latest love. <3<3<3
TOfan, I am haaaaappy you rewarded yourself for the remarkable willpower and conviction with this gift of Broken. It truly is a gift. “Something about it breaks my heart”… it has given me a kind of ache I haven’t felt for awhile. I just think this guy, this guy and his talent, is something else. Something that at times just defies description.
“Besides Falling, have we had a pure 100% “organic free-range”* piece of music from David before?? It’s stunning.”…..the words, the melody, the music – it haunts you.
Just fyi, the lovely Kari has posted a bunch of never-before-seen pics on her “David Archuleta” page at Ology.com HERE. Be sure to “like” & “comment” … gets points for D. for … well, I’m not sure, but good promo, right?! 🙂
my faves are this one:
and this one (which Kari labelled “Butterfly” but it looks like maybe from the hopefully upcoming, possibly maybe Rainbow vid?
BTS vid Part 5 *SOBS*
Aww….just watched part 5 of the video, so heartfelt and always so real from David. I am glad that this song was included on the album, so, so beautiful. There are times when I want (and need) to listen to him sing this song, very grateful for this one. ❤
Love the photos that Kari shared and yes a Rainbow video…..should happen at some point!!
Love the clip from it (if the rumours were true). Will be one big smile and joyfest, haha.
Only a few more days until BEGIN. Fortunately I start my vacation on Aug. 7 (coincidentally turned out that way). I know what I will be doing all day!
Thanks for your always wonderful updates TOfan.
New post/thread!
🙂