Meaning of "Breakdown" by Michael W. Smith

"Breakdown" by Michael W. Smith delves into the societal decay and moral decline of America, contrasting it with the noble legacy left by the founding fathers. The lyrics lament the shift from values centered on faith, family, and freedom to a society that is divided, lacking in integrity, and driven by self-interest. Smith criticizes the abandonment of traditional values and calls for a return to the principles that once united the nation. The song touches on themes of social injustice, greed, irresponsibility, and the consequences of straying from the path laid out by the country's founders. It warns of the breakdown that occurs when a nation loses its moral compass and the resulting cry for salvation from a looming catastrophe. The spoken excerpts emphasize the importance of the American dream, unity among its people, and the preservation of liberty and justice for all. Overall, "Breakdown" serves as a poignant commentary on the state of America and a call to rediscover the values that once defined it.