On a free ride home from the embassy
I saw the governor, and his lover holding hands
When I got to my place, I emptied my suitcase
And opened the windows wide

If you could save yourself, you'd save us all
Is that what you called me for,
Is that why you're knocking on my door?
The time I've spent, working myself to death
Thought that's what you wanted
I thought you needed my help
To make it good again, to make us strong
To make you happy, to push you along
And gain some respect, to be thrown a crumb
I was on my knees, when you knocked me down

The wheels fell off, the bottom dropped out
The checks all bounced, I came in your mouth
Your mother came calling but there was no one around
The trash caught fire when the leaves turned brown
The vultures were circling when the circus left town
I left you a note but I wrote it in disappearing ink

If you could save yourself, you'd save us all
Is that what you called me for,
Is that why you're knocking on my door?
The time I've spent, working myself to death
Thought that's what you wanted
I thought you needed my help
To make it good again, to make us strong
To make you happy, to push you along
And gain some respect, to be thrown a crumb
I was on my knees, when you knocked me down


Lyrics submitted by dd59714

If You Could Save Yourself (You'd Save Us All) Lyrics as written by Michael Melchiondo Aaron Freeman

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

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If You Could Save Yourself (You'd Save Us All) song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    This song feels like a bookend to "Even If You Don't".

    The singer in that one is putting a lot of effort into propping up a relationship with an emotionally unstable person, possibly an addict. "I'm goin' crazy - trying to keep you sane" Here, he realizes that it's all collapsing and his efforts were wasted.

    kreniighon November 03, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Gener showing off his vocal range in an impressive way

    sexmaniacon March 09, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Beautiful song, emotionally charged from start to finish

    BrownWeenon December 09, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    If "It's Gonna Be A Long Night" is a Motorhead homage, then certainly this is one for Pink Floyd.

    MuToiD_MaNon November 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is brilliantly executed. I agree with izze90, but I also think it's about a sort of empty individual who needs something in his life. So s/he just starts hammering away at something meaningless "working myself to the bone" and gives him or herself the belief that there's some levity to what they're doing, even if it's absolutely meaningless. Just to believe in it.

    Schizimaon December 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I heard this is about Dean trying to give up alcohol.

    Theo Reoon June 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    For me, it's about someone who suffers from depression and/or drug addiction, and their lover is doing their utmost to make them happy.Very emotional song without being cheesy.Love it.

    izze90on June 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love the vocals in this song.

    For me personally this song has quite a lot of meaning, namely someone offering someone else close to them help because the person is depressed but the other person is rejecting the help. There is a bit of exasperation there in the persons viewpoint but at the same time they wont give up. All that echoes something i am going through with someone who is special to me. "I don't need saving".. :-(

    rmgon June 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah the vocals in this song, particularly the 2nd chorus, are outstanding. As emotional and desperate as you'll ever hear.

    I think the song title is the best indication of what the song is about. It's probably about Gener's divorce from his wife in 2003, the same year Quebec was released. Or about the end of their marriage.

    Being co-dependent with someone, and trying to make them happy. Enabling them. Really needing them to be there for your own sanity. And not being able to keep it together anymore.

    Someone else's demons having a significant impact on your life. It's probably about his marriage but it could be applied to any relationship, a spouse, a parent, anyone.

    rufonzon July 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the whole song can kinda be summed up with the sentiment of not being able to help those who don't want to help themselves. Someone who's no help to themselves is never going to be able to really help those around them properly. I love the desperation and raw emotion of the vocals and crescendo of the music, as well as it being the epic closer to such a very emotion-charged album.

    DoYouRealiseon October 06, 2011   Link

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