The lyrics of "The Take Over, The Breaks Over" by Fall Out Boy express themes of being forgotten, overcompensating, and the unfairness of relationships. The narrator describes feeling like they are always waiting in the background, using headlines and flash photography to try to stand out. They question whether it is better to be a widow or a divorcée, and express their frustration that people will dissect them until they no longer mean anything. The lyrics emphasize the idea that the narrator and their lover do not fight fair and often hide their true feelings and actions in secret places.

Meaning of ""The Take Over, The Breaks Over"" by Fall Out Boy

The lyrics of "The Take Over, The Breaks Over" explore themes of insecurity, the fear of being forgotten, and the unfairness of relationships. The repetition of the line "Don't pretend you ever forgot about me" suggests a desperate need for validation and recognition. The narrator feels uninteresting and boring, but they try to compensate for this by creating headlines and generating attention through flash photography. This shows a desire to stand out and be remembered. The line "Wouldn't you rather be a widow than a divorcée?" highlights the idea that it may be preferable to be remembered as someone who has lost a significant other rather than someone who has gone through a failed marriage. The mention of styling wakes for fashion magazines adds a superficial element to the song, emphasizing the facade people often put on for the public eye.

The lyrics also touch on the concept of being dissected and analyzed by others. The line "People will dissect us till this doesn't mean a thing anymore" suggests a frustration with being constantly scrutinized and reduced to meaningless objects of examination. This may reflect the pressure and scrutiny that comes with fame and public attention.

The chorus of the song, with its repetition of "We don't fight fair," suggests a relationship dynamic characterized by hidden agendas and manipulation. The line "We do it in the dark with smiles on our faces, we're trapped and well concealed in secret places" further reinforces this idea. It implies that the couple engages in deceitful behaviors and masks their true emotions and actions behind smiles and secrecy. This secretive behavior contributes to the unfairness within the relationship that the narrator laments throughout the song.

Overall, "The Take Over, The Breaks Over" delves into the themes of insecurity, the desire for recognition, and the unfairness that can be present in relationships. The lyrics highlight the superficiality and manipulation that can exist in the public eye and within intimate partnerships.