You

Breaking Benjamin's song 'You' delves into themes of regret, self-reflection, and the desire for redemption. The lyrics suggest a narrative of someone who has faced personal demons and acknowledges the pain they've caused both to themselves and to others. The opening lines, 'My hands are broken and time is going on and on,' set a tone of weariness and a sense of being worn down by life's relentless passage.

The song's protagonist seems to have sought escape through substance use, as indicated by 'So I got high and lived all that life.' This escape, however, is recognized as a temporary and illusory solution, as the protagonist admits to taking life for granted. The repeated plea, 'Promise me you'll try to leave it all behind,' suggests a yearning to change and to encourage others not to follow the same path. The phrase 'I've elected hell' implies a conscious choice of a destructive lifestyle, and the question 'Why have I gone blind?' indicates a moment of clarity and the painful realization of self-deception.

The chorus, simply consisting of the word 'You' repeated, can be interpreted as a call to a significant other or to the self, representing the part of the protagonist that remains untainted and can potentially guide them to a better path. The line 'The only way out is letting your guard down' suggests vulnerability as a necessary step towards healing and forgiveness. The song, therefore, is a poignant reflection on the consequences of one's actions and the difficult journey towards forgiveness and self-improvement.