The Bellamy Brothers started their musical career at the end of the 1960s. … Read Full Bio ↴The Bellamy Brothers started their musical career at the end of the 1960s. In 1968, they had their first official gig, playing a free show with their father at the Rattlesnake Roundup in San Antonio, Florida, USA. They kept playing throughout the South, often with already recognized musicians, such as Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd and others. A couple of months later, the brothers moved up north, discovering the potentials of rock/country music in Atlanta, Georgia.

During the long road gigs, David Bellamy discovered that he had a talent for songwriting. It was his lyrics that eventually made it possible for the duo to become an international act. This breakout came eventually in form of the hit "Spiders and Snakes," which sold more than three million units and brought the Bellamy Brothers to L.A. music scene.

The duo was very well-known at the time; however, they were not yet famous internationally. That all changed with the crossover single "Let Your Love Flow" in 1976, the song becoming instant smash worldwide. It remained on charts long enough to build an appreciable international fan base, which exists to this date. For example, in Germany the song stayed a number one hit for two months.

Their music gradually became more and more country-like. By the late '70s, another hit followed: "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)". Just like "Let Your Love Flow" put them on pop charts a few years earlier, this song did just the same with the country charts.

During the early to mid 1980s, the Bellamy Brothers were among the most dominant duos in country music. In that span, they scored eight No. 1 singles on the Billboard magazine country singles chart, including "Sugar Daddy" and "Dancin' Cowboys" (1980); "Do You Love as Good as You Look" (1981); "For All the Wrong Reasons" and "Redneck Girl" (1982); "When I'm Away From You" (1983); "I Need More of You" (1985); and "Kids of the Baby Boom" (1987). They also shared a No. 1 duet with the Forester Sisters with 1986's "Too Much is Not Enough."

Other important hits in the Bellamys' discography were "You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie" (1979); "Lovers Live Longer" (1980); "You're My Favorite Star" (1981); "Reggae Cowboy" (1982); "Strong Weakness" and "I Love Her Mind" (1983); "Forget About Me" and "World's Greatest Lover" (1984); "Old Hippie" and "Lie to You For Your Love" (1985); "Feelin' the Feelin'" (1986); "Crazy From the Heart" (1987); "Santa Fe" and "Rebels Without a Clue" (1988); "Big Love" and "You'll Never Be Sorry" (1989); "I Could Be Persuaded" (1990); and "Cowboy Beat" (1992).

The Bellamy Brothers hold the record in both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association Awards (CMA) for most duo nominations. Throughout their career, they have released at least two dozen hit songs outside the U.S. that were never released in the United States.

Guardian Angel
Bellamy Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, it's a long hard way
From the back-woods to the big time
The road is paved with bad intentions

And you know I'd be a dead man now
If I hadn't heard these words
That serve me up an once of prevention

Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly
Slow it down a little
And let her rest her wings before you die

You're runnin' past the water
When you know that the well is goin' dry
Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Well some folks are seein' angels
When they dream their dreams
Some see 'em when those dark clouds
Start to fall
But the only one I ever saw
Was makin' daddy's dinner
But I sure wish I had listened to her more

Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly
Slow it down a little
And let her rest her wings before you die

You're runnin' past the water
You know the that well is goin' dry
Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Now, I know I ain't no saint
I ain't got no wings to soar
But I'm tryin' to get to heaven
Before they close the door

You're runnin' past the water
You know that the well is goin' dry
Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly
Slow it down a little
And let her rest her wings before you die

You're runnin' past the water
When you know that the well is goin' dry
Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly
Slow it down a little
And let her rest her wings before you die

You're runnin' past the water
When you know that the well is goin' dry
Oh, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Well, don't go runnin' faster
Than your guardian angel can fly

Slow it down a little
Let her rest her wings before you die

Overall Meaning

The Bellamy Brothers’ song “Guardian Angel” offers a reflective moment on the songwriter’s life journey, acknowledging the long hard way from the backwoods to the big time. The verses convey a sense of caution and realism, revealing the truth about the road paved with bad intentions. The singer would have been a dead man if it were not for the words of caution he received that served him up an ounce of prevention. The chorus emphasizes the importance of slowing down and not rushing recklessly ahead, urging the listener not to run faster than their guardian angel can fly. The angel metaphorically represents an unseen force that seeks to protect and guide the listeners on their journey.

The song highlights the importance of listening to the advice of those who care for us, even when it comes from unexpected sources, like a child who is preparing dinner. The lyrics testify to the fact that often, people only focus on success and not the journey. The singer acknowledges that he is not perfect and has made mistakes but is now trying to get to heaven before the door closes. The overall message of the song is to listen to our intuition and pay attention to the signs and guidance given to us along the way. The song speaks to the necessity of slowing down and paying attention to those around us who may be providing guidance and protection.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, it's a long hard way From the back-woods to the big time The road is paved with bad intentions
It is a difficult journey from humble beginnings to success, and many people have negative motives along the way

And you know I'd be a dead man now If I hadn't heard these words That serve me up an once of prevention
The singer credits their guardian angel with warning them of danger and preventing their demise

Oh, don't go runnin' faster Than your guardian angel can fly Slow it down a little And let her rest her wings before you die
One should not rush through life without heeding the guidance of their guardian angel, as they may not be able to keep up and help when needed

You're runnin' past the water When you know that the well is goin' dry Oh, don't go runnin' faster Than your guardian angel can fly
One should not ignore the warning signs of imminent trouble and should not push too hard, too fast without considering the guidance of their guardian angel

Well some folks are seein' angels When they dream their dreams Some see 'em when those dark clouds Start to fall But the only one I ever saw Was makin' daddy's dinner But I sure wish I had listened to her more
While some people only imagine or dream of seeing angels, the artist had a real-life guardian angel in their mother, who they regret not listening to more often

Now, I know I ain't no saint I ain't got no wings to soar But I'm tryin' to get to heaven Before they close the door
The singer acknowledges their flaws but is striving to live a good life and make it to heaven before it is too late

Oh, don't go runnin' faster Than your guardian angel can fly Slow it down a little And let her rest her wings before you die
Once again, the importance of slowing down and allowing one's guardian angel to guide them is emphasized

Don't go runnin' faster Than your guardian angel can fly Slow it down a little And let her rest her wings before you die
The chorus reiterates the central message of the song

Well, don't go runnin' faster Than your guardian angel can fly Slow it down a little Let her rest her wings before you die
The song ends with a final plea to listen to one's guardian angel and take the time to make wise decisions

Writer(s): Don Schlitz, John Jarvis, Naomi Judd

Contributed by Jonathan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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