This girl I know needs some shelter
She don't believe anyone can help her
She's doing so much harm, doing so much damage
But you don't want to get involved
You tell her she can manage
And you can't change the way she feels
But you could put your arms around her

I know you want to live yourself
But could you forgive yourself
If you left her just the way
You found her

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

You're a boy and I'm a girl
But you know you can lean on me
And I don't have no fear
I'll take on any man here
Who says that's not the way it should be

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

She's a girl and you're a boy
Sometimes you look so small, look so small
You've got a baby of your own
When your baby's grown, she'll be the one
To catch you when you fall

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

You're a girl and I'm a boy
You're a girl and I'm a boy, yeah
You're a girl and I'm a boy
You're a girl and I'm a boy

Sometimes you look so small, need some shelter
Just runnin' round and round, Helter Skelter
And I've leaned on you for years
Now you can lean on me
And that's more than love, that's the way
It should be
Now I can't change the way you think
But I could put my arms around you
That's just part of the deal
That's the way I feel
I put my arms around you

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

I stand in front of you
I'll take the force of the blow
Protection

You're a boy and I'm a girl
You're a boy and I'm a girl, hey
You're a boy and I'm a girl
You're a boy and I'm a girl, yeah


Lyrics submitted by shut

Protection Lyrics as written by Robert Del Naja Tracey Thorn

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Protection song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

30 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +5
    General Comment

    Man, this song just owns.

    I agree, I really hear a girl singing to a boy about herself in the third person. Maybe she's in love with the guy, but maybe there's just a bond that supersedes mere friendship but doesn't quite fit as romantic love - maybe it's the kind of thing that COULD be romantic love in a different context, but isn't now and maybe doesn't ever need to be.

    By the way, it's:

    "You've got a baby of your own When your baby's GONE, she'll be the one To catch you when you fall"

    The implication being, it's not literally a BABY she's referring to, but a romantic attachment. It really doesn't make a lot of sense that she's referring to an actual baby, if you think about it in context with that whole verse. When your infant's grown, she'll catch you when you fall? What?? In other words, the guy has himself a girl (a colloquial "baby"), but the singer knows he's just going to end up getting hurt, and will therefore get his back when he needs it. It also is again implying what could be a romantic thing, or just a "mere" uber-friendship.

    FatherCallahanon March 19, 2009   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    "Now I can't change the way you think but I can put my arms around you"...now that is some f*cken truth

    gilbagon July 02, 2003   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Yup, it's Tracey Thorn.

    At first I thought this song was about romantic love, but after reading some of the comments here, y'all are right, this song is about all sorts of love. Romantic, parent-child, friendship. About sticking up for someone, protecting them and making them stronger, but also accepting them for who they are, flaws and all.

    hallospacegirlon January 24, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Probably one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.

    Alastison April 02, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is one of the most beautiful songs. I feel it is about someone who wants to help and protect her but they can't protect her from herself and her feelings so they do the only thing they can.

    But you don't want to get involved You tell her she can manage And you can't change the way she feels But you could put your arms around her

    dissolved_girlon October 03, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    lovely

    donniedarko28on October 25, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This incredibly beautiful song is about friendship between a boy and a girl, not a relationship. The relevant lines is "You've got a baby of your own, when your baby's GONE, she be the one, to catch you when you fall" It's not a standart love song, it's about "more than love". And there are not enough songs about friendship.

    Stonie_Stonsenon August 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    that's love in its most precious way

    watermark260783on March 19, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Its about having a partner who protects you from all the bad things in life and is always there for you when you need a shoulder to cry on.beautiful song tracy thorn is a lyrical genius

    Riot Grrrlon March 26, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Protection that comes from being loved by someone- it could be between a boy and a girl, or a parent and child. Beautiful emotional lyrics- one of the most evocative electronic songs I've ever heard.

    drucifer23on September 21, 2004   Link

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

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
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.
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/