Fanning was taught the piano by his mother at an early age. At the age of 12, while attending St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, Fanning began writing music, and upon graduating from St. Joseph's, moved on to the University of Queensland, where he studied journalism for a short time. He would go on to drop out to pursue a music career after meeting Ian Haug in an economics class. Fanning joined Haug, John Collins, and Steven Bishop, who had recently formed Powderfinger, and took the role of lead singer. Subsequently, Bishop left and guitarist Darren Middleton joined.
From 1994 to 2004 Powderfinger released five albums, a double CD live album, and a Best Of, after which they decided to take a break. Fanning's solo album Tea & Sympathy was released in October 2005 and debuted at #1 on the Australian ARIA Albums chart. Singles released from this album were Wish You Well, Songbird and Watch Over Me.
Fanning won three ARIA awards in 2006, Best Male Artist, Album of the Year for Tea and Sympathy, and Best Music Video for Wish You Well. In the same year Wish You Well was voted in at #1 on Australian youth radio station Triple J's 2005 Hottest 100 poll.
Fanning also contributed songs to the 2003 film Ned Kelly including Shelter For My Soul and a cover of the traditional song Moreton Bay.
Powderfinger released their 6th studio album, Dream Days At The Hotel Existence in June 2007 and toured with Silverchair that autumn.
After the disbanding of Powderfinger in 2010, Fanning moved to Spain with his family where he began writing and recording demos for his next solo album. In January 2013 Fanning announced on his website blog that he had been recording the follow up to 2005's "Tea and Sympathy" in Los Angeles. In March 2013 he announced via his blog that recording had been completed and he had returned back to Australia. On 22nd April 2013 the first single Battleships was released. Fanning's second album, Departures, was released on 7th June 2013. Since the album release, two more singles have been released: Departures (Blue Toowong Skies) and Tell Me How It Ends.
Watch Over Me
Bernard Fanning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You bring me peace
You calm me down
You're my release
When walls come crashing around my feet
You light my way
You're my release
When I'm in too deep
Tell me you'll always be
There to pull me free
When the sun is beating down upon my brow
You are my shade
You cool me down
Every time I tried to turn away
You brought me 'round
Your humble way
So say you'll watch over me
When I'm in too deep
Tell me you'll always be
There to pull me free
There to rescue me
For every time you sheltered me from harm
You showed me truth
Kept me warm
Every time you left me on the street
I found my way
I found my feet
So say you'll watch over me
When I'm in too deep
Tell me you'll always be
There to pull me free
There to rescue me
There to pull me free
There to rescue me
The lyrics of Bernard Fanning's song Watch Over Me convey a sense of comfort and security that comes from having someone to rely on during difficult times. The first verse describes how the person being addressed helps ease the troubles that fill the singer's world. The words "You're my release" suggest a sense of liberation and freedom that comes from the person's presence. When the world feels like it's crashing down, they are the light bringing clarity and guidance.
The second verse continues to describe the supportive nature of this person. They provide shade from the hot sun and cool down the singer's brow. There is a sense of gratitude for the person's "humble way," which suggests that they are not overbearing or imposing in their support. They provide guidance, but allow the singer to find their own way. The chorus repeats the theme of relying on this person to watch over them, particularly during times of deep distress. The singer seeks reassurance that this person will always be there to rescue them and help them find their feet again.
Overall, the lyrics of Watch Over Me are a tribute to the comfort and security that comes from having someone to rely on during difficult times. They convey a sense of gratitude for the person's support and a desire for that support to continue.
Line by Line Meaning
When trouble fills my world
During times of trouble, when everything around me is chaotic and uncertain.
You bring me peace
You provide comfort and reassurance, and make me feel more calm and composed.
You calm me down
You help me to relax and let go of my worries, anxieties, and fears.
You're my release
You give me a sense of relief, a break or escape from my problems and struggles.
When walls come crashing around my feet
When everything seems to be falling apart and I feel like I'm on the verge of collapse.
You light my way
You guide me through the darkness, showing me the way forward and giving me hope.
So say you'll watch over me
Please tell me that you will continue to be there for me, to provide support, protection, and guidance.
When I'm in too deep
When I've gone too far, when I've taken on more than I can handle, when I'm in over my head.
Tell me you'll always be
Promise me that you will continue to care for me, to stand by me, to never abandon me.
There to pull me free
There to help me break free from danger or difficulty, to rescue me from harm or trouble.
When the sun is beating down upon my brow
During challenging or oppressive times, when it feels like there's no escape from the heat or pressure.
You are my shade
You provide me with shelter, relief, and protection from the harshness of the world.
You cool me down
You help me to relax and feel more comfortable, to find a sense of ease and comfort.
Every time I tried to turn away
Whenever I've tried to leave or distance myself from you or the situation.
You brought me 'round
You brought me back, helped me see things from a different angle or perspective, or reminded me of what's really important.
Your humble way
Your unassuming, modest, sincere approach to caring for and supporting those around you.
For every time you sheltered me from harm
For all the times you've protected me from danger, from harm, from the bad things in life.
You showed me truth
You helped me see things more clearly, illuminated the path forward, revealed things that were hidden or obscured.
Kept me warm
Helped me feel loved, cared for, and comfortable during cold, difficult, or lonely times.
Every time you left me on the street
Times when you weren't there to help, when you let me face my problems alone, when you were absent or unavailable.
I found my way
I was able to persevere, to overcome my challenges, to forge my own path.
I found my feet
I regained my balance, my strength, my sense of direction, and continued on my journey through life.
There to rescue me
Always ready and willing to help, to come to my aid, to save me from danger or harm.
There to pull me free
There to help me break free from danger or difficulty, to rescue me from harm or trouble.
There to rescue me
Always ready and willing to help, to come to my aid, to save me from danger or harm.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tee Moz
Thank you Lord for your angels, sometimes in human forms without us even realising 🙏🏼❤
breeze901
I love this music it makes everything else sound BLOODY FANTASTIC!!
🤲
Citrus
My mother just passed away yesterday morning and after hearing this song for the first time I can already say that I'll hold it close for years to come.
Marie Johnson
Sorry for you loss... I hope you have found peace.
Giorgio F.
Feel you...Take care mate
Sean Waters
Amen...bless you...
Menuli Peiris
Sorry to hear about your mum. Rest and peace to your mum. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺😔
succathog
When my mum died, the song over the funeral was her singing this song. It's so emotional for me and i feel you
Lil
this song speaks to the heart of anyone who listens to it, it may remind us of heart ache but it also reminds us of the love shared between family and friends.
Paula Jane
I love this song ❤️❤️