Discover the story of the song > Breakin’ The Rules – Robbie Robertson

The protagonist is trying to contact his partner on Valentine's Day but they are far away. He doesn't want to be a victim or a clown, so he reaches out to her with his arms but feels sad. They can't continue risking getting hurt by playing the game and breaking the rules. The protagonist shows his partner a cross he made out of wood to tell her that he would change if he could. He grew up on the west side and doesn't know what people on the east side do with their lives. They can't keep hiding their pain and living in shame by breaking the rules of the game.