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.
Well I hope God protects your soul
I don't know if you should leave home alone
Maybe you've been drinking from the Devil's bowl
I can't express myself 'cause I'm not fully grown
My heartache, is my mistake you see
My heartache, is my mistake you see
Well I am conscious of the way that I act
But I won't betray you, you can be sure of that
I'm not a pet who does tricks at the drop of a hat
I wish I was fiction, I wish I was fact
My heartache, is my mistake you see
My heartache, is my mistake you see
I need to build a wall around me
I need to build a wall around me
But I want to smile with everybody
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Yes we feel bad in winter
We act a little bit strange
The dark sky threatens me daily
Makes me alter and change, change, change, change
I need to build a wall around me
I need to build a wall around me
But I want to smile with everybody
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Would you say that is possessive of me?
I need to build a wall around me
I need to build a wall around me
But I want to smile with everybody
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Would you say that is possessive of me?
I don't know if you should leave home alone
Maybe you've been drinking from the Devil's bowl
I can't express myself 'cause I'm not fully grown
My heartache, is my mistake you see
My heartache, is my mistake you see
Well I am conscious of the way that I act
But I won't betray you, you can be sure of that
I'm not a pet who does tricks at the drop of a hat
I wish I was fiction, I wish I was fact
My heartache, is my mistake you see
My heartache, is my mistake you see
I need to build a wall around me
I need to build a wall around me
But I want to smile with everybody
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Yes we feel bad in winter
We act a little bit strange
The dark sky threatens me daily
Makes me alter and change, change, change, change
I need to build a wall around me
I need to build a wall around me
But I want to smile with everybody
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Would you say that is possessive of me?
I need to build a wall around me
I need to build a wall around me
But I want to smile with everybody
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Would you say that is possessive of me?
Lyrics submitted by Selfmutilized
God Protect Your Soul Lyrics as written by Ed Harcourt
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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yeh this is one of my fav harcourt songs. i love thebeginning when the drum kicks in. come on folks add some more comments. what do you think the songs about?