Give Them a Break: Michael Clifford and Waterparks Get Vulnerable – Fanfic Style
by Savannah Bowie | June 9th, 2025
Michael Clifford and Waterparks, a collaboration we (the 5SOS fam) always knew we needed but weren’t sure would ever happen. And now that “Give Me a Break,” featuring Awsten Knight, is finally here, it’s clear why it was worth the wait.
Photo Via @Kerrangmagazine_ on Instagram
On the surface, the song is energetic and fun–classic Michael energy fueled by Waterparks' signature pop-punk sound. But beneath the upbeat tempo, much like his first solo single, “Cool,” there’s a deeper, more impactful meaning waiting to be discovered.
“Give Me a Break” dives headfirst into the pressure of fame, the weight of constant scrutiny, and the feelings of slowly losing yourself. With Awsten's help, Michael shows us that there’s much more to him than what we’ve seen.
With the opening lyrics, “I think I just started to burn out. One article into a meltdown,” Michael lays it all on the table, highlighting the mental toll that constant public attention has, not only on him but artists in general. From the media's influence on his life to unrealistic expectations (set by the media and fans) and the lack of control of one’s narrative, “Give Me a Break” explores the impossible reality of navigating fame while trying to stay true to who you are.
The chorus of the song drives this narrative further: “Won’t you give me a break? I don’t remember who I am…I don’t remember what I look like.” This isn’t just about being overwhelmed, it’s about what it’s like to lose who you are in all the noise and the expectations to be a certain way that pleases everyone around you. Whether it’s smiling through interviews or keeping quiet when false narratives are circulating, he’s confronting what it feels like to be picked apart by the world.
And he isn’t the only one that can relate.
Awsten’s verse adds another layer to the meaning. The lyrics “I always said you won’t like what you see, so keep your eyes off of me” and, “They say I’m livin’ the dream, I just want the nightmare to end” are punches to the gut. Michael and Awsten, two artists known for being unserious and humorous, are choosing to remove their masks and reveal a vulnerable side to themselves in a way that is uniquely theirs.
But the media isn’t the only protagonist at play here. Fan culture adds another character to the story. The music video leans into this by portraying a fan writing fanfiction about Michael and Awsten, with various over-the-top, far-fetched scenarios, often with fatal endings (a subtle nod to Death Note). Each time the story trails off course, she tears a new page and starts fresh. While it’s funny to watch–especially for those of us who grew up reading Wattpad fanfics about being adopted by 5SOS–it’s also symbolic. The video is a sharp metaphor for how artists are reimagined. Whether it’s wild stories, article headlines, or constant speculation, it’s all the same: someone else is writing your story for you.
This isn’t necessarily a dig at fans or a way to call out the media–it’s more of an artistic expression of the sometimes complicated relationship between artists and their audiences. It brings awareness to the toll fame can take on artists' mental health and the struggle to hold onto their identity.
Michael responds to this with the release of “Give Me a Break.” Like “Cool,” “Give me a Break” toys with contradiction–it's fun until it's not. It’s humor and sincerity. And honestly, it’s kind of genius. In a way, it mirrors exactly how artists are expected to be and live: be relatable, entertaining, and “cool.” But also, don’t complain or push back when your privacy is violated and every aspect of your life is on display.
Like his bandmates, Michael is exploring and sharing a different side of himself–one that’s more personal and honest. This song is further proof that there’s so much more to the wild, lovable Michael we knew from 5SOS. With themes of burnout, losing yourself, and the cost you pay for fame, he’s showing us he’s survived the chaos–and found himself again.
