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.
(Won't, won't let the city, won't, won't let the city)
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
You know I
I hate to see you cry
But when you open up to me
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
No, I
don't care about cash or careers
Your losses or your arrears
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Come on)
Talk to me
Let me shed some light on your dark
Help you see
How darling you've left your mark
On my life
And the beautiful all around
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I was lost
Until that night we kissed
Give it up
A life, oh darling, not this
You want more
Than the hell this city lets you down
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let this city)
No, no, no, no
Not about the debts you made
The car we never had
The house we never owned
Darling don't look so sad
It's about that day we kissed
Down by Niagara Falls
It's about the keys, the keys, the keys to my heart you hold
(Top, top, top, top of the morning to you)
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let the city)
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
You know I
I hate to see you cry
But when you open up to me
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
No, I
don't care about cash or careers
Your losses or your arrears
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Come on)
Talk to me
Let me shed some light on your dark
Help you see
How darling you've left your mark
On my life
And the beautiful all around
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I was lost
Until that night we kissed
Give it up
A life, oh darling, not this
You want more
Than the hell this city lets you down
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let this city)
No, no, no, no
Not about the debts you made
The car we never had
The house we never owned
Darling don't look so sad
It's about that day we kissed
Down by Niagara Falls
It's about the keys, the keys, the keys to my heart you hold
(Top, top, top, top of the morning to you)
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let the city)
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Lyrics submitted by tonightwefly
The City Lyrics as written by Patrick Wolf
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song may be about the time that Patrick and his boyfriend were beaten up by the police for kissing at a concert. "Won't let the city destroy our love"- means that he's not going to let the society of that place tear them apart of make them feel ashamed of who they are. I think it's a beautiful song because it's about Patrick trying to encourage the one he loves not to give up.