Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Belief makes things real
Makes things feel, feel alright
Belief makes things true
Things like you, you and I
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
Belief builds from scratch
Doesn't have to relax, it doesn't need space
Long live the queen and I'll be the king
In the color of grace
Oh, tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
I'm gonna yell it from the rooftops
I'll wear a sign on my chest
That's the least I can do, it's the least I can do
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me and I'll stand by my belief
I will stand by my (belief)
I will stand by my
Belief
Belief
Like you stood by me
I will stand by my, stand by my belief
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Makes things feel, feel alright
Belief makes things true
Things like you, you and I
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
Belief builds from scratch
Doesn't have to relax, it doesn't need space
Long live the queen and I'll be the king
In the color of grace
Oh, tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me, belief
I'm gonna yell it from the rooftops
I'll wear a sign on my chest
That's the least I can do, it's the least I can do
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me
Tonight, you arrested my mind
When you came to my defense
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth
In the form of your body, with the wrath of a god
Oh, you stood by me and I'll stand by my belief
I will stand by my (belief)
I will stand by my
Belief
Belief
Like you stood by me
I will stand by my, stand by my belief
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
Belief Lyrics as written by Gavin Degraw
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
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Personally, I believe this song is just about a good friendship. Possibly a friendship he didn't know existed. When I first heard the song I had no idea what he meant by the chorus but when I started listening more closely I thought of it as someone sticking up for him. "Tonight you arrested my mind when you came to my defense with a knife in the shape of your mouth..." I just feel like that line means someone he never expected to stuck up for him by using words. I think I explained that as best as I could. Who knows, I could be wrong. It's just the way I interpreted it.
i saw gavin in concert last night & it was amazing! he said this song is about that person who has faith in you, even when you don't need it. even if you do believe in yourself, it's nice to have that person there to believe in you too.
I love all of Gavin's songs; however, this is one that hits me. This song I feel is about Gavin being in love with a girl who believes in him and makes life worth living. This song is basically saying thank you for believing in me and thank you for standing besides me no matter what.
Jess0628....you said it all :)
One of the best songs I've ever heard. And my tastes go way back. I love that whole album.
I agree!
best gavin song ever!!!! i hope its a single so the rest of the world can hear it! the chorus is what really got me the first time i heard it
i love this song!
sooo amazing. i can't even describe.. no words. i love it so much. i love you beary
BuildingMusic, I think you hit it exactly. Of course, same to Jess0628. I think that she surprised him by coming to his defense once, and then it became something more.. which makes it so perfect.