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've decided no one's knowing
Anything 'bout where I'm going
I can't even talk to my friends anymore
I'm not blaming anyone
For the mess I've gotten in
I'm only frightened
By the things that I've done
Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing
That I've ever known
I want to come home
Thinking back when I was young
You kept me safe from everything
Set me straight when I went wrong
Raised me to respect myself
I can offer no excuse
For this senseless self abuse
All the pain that I've caused you to feel
When I hurt myself, it hurts you more
And that's what hurts me most of all
I shouldn't go on hurting any more
Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing
That I've ever known
I want to come home
I want to come home
I want to come home
I want to come home
I want to come home
Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing
That I've ever known
Take me now, a shelter be
Before there's nothing left of me
Anything 'bout where I'm going
I can't even talk to my friends anymore
I'm not blaming anyone
For the mess I've gotten in
I'm only frightened
By the things that I've done
Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing
That I've ever known
I want to come home
Thinking back when I was young
You kept me safe from everything
Set me straight when I went wrong
Raised me to respect myself
I can offer no excuse
For this senseless self abuse
All the pain that I've caused you to feel
When I hurt myself, it hurts you more
And that's what hurts me most of all
I shouldn't go on hurting any more
Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing
That I've ever known
I want to come home
I want to come home
I want to come home
I want to come home
I want to come home
Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing
That I've ever known
Take me now, a shelter be
Before there's nothing left of me
Lyrics submitted by queenofquiet23
Shelter Me Lyrics as written by Julie Anne Miller Buddy Miller
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Makes me think of someone who has been self harming (I can offer no excuse for this senseless self abuse), and was helped out of it by their family. They're begging to "be kept safe from myself"..