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 don't need nobody to rescue me,
Or help me see the way you treat me.
But I do need somebody to help me say
It's time to walk away (Alright, okay)
Too many times
Too many times
Too many times
You crossed over that line
You changed your mind
You changed your mind
You changed your mind
But I never did change mine
Still I was saved by the fire
Singing its song in my heart
That hypnotized all the demons
And tore them apart
But you make them all come back
You make them all return
You're so good at that
And I will never learn
No I never will (I never will, baby)
Well I don't need nobody to heal my pride
Cause I'm playing dead inside
But I do need somebody
To come wake me up, shake me up
Help me to stand up, stand up
You put me down
You cut me down
You turned me down
And I still stick around
You tame my soul
Swallowed me whole
I lost control
And I still couldn't let you go
But I was saved by the fire
That was burning deep inside of myself
I was a knave to desire
But I finally got a little bit of help
You ripped out my tongue
You couldn't trust me with that
You hid your trust fund
I wouldn't a judged you for that
You made me feel dumb
Well I ain't new to that
I must-a treated you wrong
And now you're treating me wrong right back
Two many times, three many times, four many times
I'm about to crack
Eight many times, nine many times
Too many times
I lost track
Still yes, I was saved by the fire
Burning deep inside my soul
Yeah I was saved by the fire
Burning deep inside my soul
(Yeah, I know, yeah I know)
Yes I was saved by the fire
Burning deep inside my soul
Or help me see the way you treat me.
But I do need somebody to help me say
It's time to walk away (Alright, okay)
Too many times
Too many times
Too many times
You crossed over that line
You changed your mind
You changed your mind
You changed your mind
But I never did change mine
Still I was saved by the fire
Singing its song in my heart
That hypnotized all the demons
And tore them apart
But you make them all come back
You make them all return
You're so good at that
And I will never learn
No I never will (I never will, baby)
Well I don't need nobody to heal my pride
Cause I'm playing dead inside
But I do need somebody
To come wake me up, shake me up
Help me to stand up, stand up
You put me down
You cut me down
You turned me down
And I still stick around
You tame my soul
Swallowed me whole
I lost control
And I still couldn't let you go
But I was saved by the fire
That was burning deep inside of myself
I was a knave to desire
But I finally got a little bit of help
You ripped out my tongue
You couldn't trust me with that
You hid your trust fund
I wouldn't a judged you for that
You made me feel dumb
Well I ain't new to that
I must-a treated you wrong
And now you're treating me wrong right back
Two many times, three many times, four many times
I'm about to crack
Eight many times, nine many times
Too many times
I lost track
Still yes, I was saved by the fire
Burning deep inside my soul
Yeah I was saved by the fire
Burning deep inside my soul
(Yeah, I know, yeah I know)
Yes I was saved by the fire
Burning deep inside my soul
Lyrics submitted by lockmeinthesun
Saved Lyrics as written by Noah Georgeson Devendra Banhart
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Why hasn't anyone commented this song, I love it!
amen
this song took a while to grow on me, but it's amazing.
Didn't much care for it until suddenly I realised it was about me.
Then it helped me :) And came alive as a song at about the same time. Thanks DB.
the style of this song puts me off. feels like being in church, which is nauseating. i'd like to see those words in a musical context. it's kind of gimmicky.