The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Belief makes things real
Makes things feel, feel alright
Belief makes things true
Things like you, you and I
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
Belief builds from scratch
Doesn't have to relax, it doesn't need space
Long live the queen and I'll be the king
In the color of grace
Oh, tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
I'm gonna yell it from the rooftops
I'll wear a sign on my chest
That's the least I can do, it's the least I can do
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me and I'll stand by my belief
I will stand by my (belief)
I will stand by my
Belief
Belief
Like you stood by me
I will stand by my, stand by my belief
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Makes things feel, feel alright
Belief makes things true
Things like you, you and I
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
Belief builds from scratch
Doesn't have to relax, it doesn't need space
Long live the queen and I'll be the king
In the color of grace
Oh, tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
I'm gonna yell it from the rooftops
I'll wear a sign on my chest
That's the least I can do, it's the least I can do
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me and I'll stand by my belief
I will stand by my (belief)
I will stand by my
Belief
Belief
Like you stood by me
I will stand by my, stand by my belief
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
Belief Lyrics as written by Gavin Degraw
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Personally, I believe this song is just about a good friendship. Possibly a friendship he didn't know existed. When I first heard the song I had no idea what he meant by the chorus but when I started listening more closely I thought of it as someone sticking up for him. "Tonight you arrested my mind when you came to my defense with a knife in the shape of your mouth..." I just feel like that line means someone he never expected to stuck up for him by using words. I think I explained that as best as I could. Who knows, I could be wrong. It's just the way I interpreted it.
i saw gavin in concert last night & it was amazing! he said this song is about that person who has faith in you, even when you don't need it. even if you do believe in yourself, it's nice to have that person there to believe in you too.
I love all of Gavin's songs; however, this is one that hits me. This song I feel is about Gavin being in love with a girl who believes in him and makes life worth living. This song is basically saying thank you for believing in me and thank you for standing besides me no matter what.
Jess0628....you said it all :)
One of the best songs I've ever heard. And my tastes go way back. I love that whole album.
I agree!
best gavin song ever!!!! i hope its a single so the rest of the world can hear it! the chorus is what really got me the first time i heard it
i love this song!
sooo amazing. i can't even describe.. no words. i love it so much. i love you beary
BuildingMusic, I think you hit it exactly. Of course, same to Jess0628. I think that she surprised him by coming to his defense once, and then it became something more.. which makes it so perfect.