The pentultimate tune of the record, "They Say the Heart Can't Break," concludes the recurring theme of this album with an important appendix to this song's title: "They say the heart can't break, but if it do(es), it holds the universe." Spiegel wrote this song when she was a school social worker often working with survivors of domestic violence. She grew angry at how abuse was preserved by intentionally disguised power structures that were actively enabled by many advocates within the system. She wanted this song to remind survivors silenced by shame that they belong to an infinite well of love in this world, even if it might not be evident. She also wanted this song to be angry. This song is dense, brooding, and grungy, but its pervasive groove emphasizes a hopeful message that boils down to this: when pain is embraced in all of its messiness, it has the ability to unfold into a profoundly wise lens to look through and "hold the universe." At one point, the band commences a beat "count down" by shaving a beat off the measure every four bars, while Kjeer blasts off into the upper stratospheres of the sonic universe with a bombastic and unraveling solo. This tune is slippery and dissociative, but it tethers you down with a hopeful message and a grounded, happy ending.
Lyrics
Wiggled my tail
Took a bow for your fickle soul out there
I huffed and puffed
Embarrassed to admit I miss your snarl, your stare
Worried if I flapped my wings
I’d never come home again
Never knew the fresh air blew
Long before you grew a fragile heart
In your dark little din
They say the heart can’t break
But if it do, it holds the universe
Gather the twigs, draw the hot water
Open your spell books, call your mother
Other things can wait right now
Right now, you need to know your beauty is like no other
No other
No other
No other
No other
Calling right now all the people, things and places
Feeling shut down by disguised bruises and nice faces
You ain’t gotta be so far away
Dreamin’ of heaven when you pause and replay
The messages telling you to grow or decay
They say the heart can’t break
But if it do
It holds the universe
I drank, I smoked, I still steal
Had a bad habit of throwing myself under the wheel
But at least I had the courage to be sad to know how to really feel
While you still reel from your childhood
Got knocked down, think you’re back in the ring
But you forgot your heart
Your smart mouth talk, but it don’t know how to really sing
They say the heart can’t break
But if it do
It holds the universe
Gather the twigs, draw the hot water
Stir in your love and nurture, hug your daughter
Other things can wait right now
Right now, you need to know your beauty is
like no other
No other
No other
No other
No other
Calling right now all the people, things and places
Feeling shut down by disguised bruises and nice faces
You ain’t gotta be so far away
Dreamin’ of heaven when you pause and replay
The messages telling you to grow or decay
They say the heart can’t break
But if it do
It holds the universe
it holds the universe
It holds the universe