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.
Such a sad procession
Winding down the lane
What a strange impression
Was branded on my brain
A band was playing endless mindless
It was like a hooligan's lament
It was dumb but it was timeless
I still wonder what it meant
But whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
"Behold the lights of London"
The skipper said as his hands shook,
His aura eaten by his jealousy
And all the drugs he took
He said "This is the real world, Buddy
Toughen up your ass or it'll break"
I said "I'm not your buddy, Buddy
And your real world is a fake"
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
The D.J. took his vengeance
As the weeding guests arrive
There was malice in his handshake,
Quicksand in his eyes
As he slunk across the courtyard
From far-off I heard a horn
Somewhere in the bleak mid-distance
Something beautiful is born
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
I stumbled down a street of shadows
A black hallelujah split the night
Anarchists and priests were playing strip jack
Underneath the crude lamplight
I came upon a weeping soldier
He said "I'm all washed up now hush !"
But when I glanced across his shoulder
He held the royal flush
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
I'm still here, I'm still breathing
I'm who I thought I was or just about
I'll be walking down this boulevard
Until my legs give out
Thoughts like storms and seas are raging
I know it is a matter of degree
But it's not the world outside that's changing
It's me
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
Whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected
Over me
Winding down the lane
What a strange impression
Was branded on my brain
A band was playing endless mindless
It was like a hooligan's lament
It was dumb but it was timeless
I still wonder what it meant
But whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
"Behold the lights of London"
The skipper said as his hands shook,
His aura eaten by his jealousy
And all the drugs he took
He said "This is the real world, Buddy
Toughen up your ass or it'll break"
I said "I'm not your buddy, Buddy
And your real world is a fake"
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
The D.J. took his vengeance
As the weeding guests arrive
There was malice in his handshake,
Quicksand in his eyes
As he slunk across the courtyard
From far-off I heard a horn
Somewhere in the bleak mid-distance
Something beautiful is born
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
I stumbled down a street of shadows
A black hallelujah split the night
Anarchists and priests were playing strip jack
Underneath the crude lamplight
I came upon a weeping soldier
He said "I'm all washed up now hush !"
But when I glanced across his shoulder
He held the royal flush
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
I'm still here, I'm still breathing
I'm who I thought I was or just about
I'll be walking down this boulevard
Until my legs give out
Thoughts like storms and seas are raging
I know it is a matter of degree
But it's not the world outside that's changing
It's me
And whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected over me
Whatever needs to happen
Let it happen, let it be
Through all I am protected
Grace is effected
Over me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Let It Happen Lyrics as written by Rebecca Wheatley Edmund Scott
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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