Untouchable
Glenn Tilbrook Lyrics


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Heaven knows you've got to open up somehow
I can take it on the chin
There's nothing I can do if you won't let it out
And you won't let me in

You showed interest in me
When I was outside looking in
How is it you got to be
So untouchable?
So untouchable

You're your own worst enemy when you're like this
You know that is the truth
There's nothing I can do if you won't spare a thought
For anyone but you

Are you scared you won't return
If you cross the final line?
With no bridges left to burn
You're untouchable
You're untouchable

You can rant and rave all day
And increasingly you do
You never used to be this way
So what is it that's got to you?

I'm never going to know what this is all about
Till you start trusting me
Take this as a friendly shot across your bows
As you can talk to me

You are obviously fraught
I've said all that I can say
Now that ball is in your court
Whack it back or walk away
We can slowly drift apart
Intrigue only lasts so long
It's up to you to make a start
You're untouchable
You're untouchable
You're untouchable
You're untouchable





Heaven knows you've got to open up somehow
I can take it on the chin

Overall Meaning

Glenn Tilbrook's song Untouchable talks about the struggle of getting through to someone who has built up walls around themselves, leaving them untouchable. The lyrics depict a situation where the singer is trying to connect with someone who is evidently going through a rough patch or is having trust issues. The singer expresses their willingness to listen and help in any way they can, but the other person is unwilling to let their guard down. The song's chorus, "So untouchable," highlights the frustration the singer feels, as the other person seems to have become their own worst enemy, unwilling to be vulnerable, shutting out anyone willing to help.


The singer tries to reason with the other person, urging them to open up and trust them, but there seems to be no change. The lyrics "You're your own worst enemy when you're like this" and "Are you scared you won't return if you cross the final line?" highlight the internal conflict the other person is going through. The singer acknowledges that they might never know what's going on unless the other person starts trusting them.


The song's overall theme is about understanding, opening up, and taking chances in relationships. The song talks about how shutting people out can lead to emotional isolation and make one 'untouchable.' The singer urges the other person to take a chance on them, to trust them, and start breaking down the barriers that have been built up. The lyrics depict the struggle the singer is going through, trying to reach out to someone who has shut himself/herself out and is unwilling to be vulnerable.


Line by Line Meaning

Heaven knows you've got to open up somehow
You need to share your thoughts and feelings with me.


I can take it on the chin
I can handle whatever you have to say.


There's nothing I can do if you won't let it out
I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong.


And you won't let me in
You're keeping your guard up and not letting me get close.


You showed interest in me
You were intrigued by me at first.


When I was outside looking in
When I was an outsider, not part of your life.


How is it you got to be
Why did you become


So untouchable?
So closed off and hard to reach?


You're your own worst enemy when you're like this
Your guardedness is causing you more harm than good.


You know that is the truth
You're aware of this fact.


There's nothing I can do if you won't spare a thought
I can't help you if you don't consider someone else's perspective.


For anyone but you
You're only thinking about yourself.


Are you scared you won't return
Are you afraid you won't be able to come back


If you cross the final line?
If you take that final step of opening up to someone?


With no bridges left to burn
With no more ways to regress and close off from others.


You're untouchable
You're unreachable and unapproachable.


You can rant and rave all day
You can complain and fuss for hours.


And increasingly you do
And lately, you've been doing it more and more.


You never used to be this way
You weren't always so closed off.


So what is it that's got to you?
What's causing you to be this way?


I'm never going to know what this is all about
I can't understand what's going on with you.


Till you start trusting me
Until you feel comfortable confiding in me.


Take this as a friendly shot across your bows
Consider this a gentle warning.


As you can talk to me
As you know you can always come to me.


You are obviously fraught
You're clearly feeling stressed and frazzled.


I've said all that I can say
I've expressed my concern as much as I can.


Now that ball is in your court
It's up to you to make the next move.


Whack it back or walk away
Either respond to me or leave the situation.


We can slowly drift apart
We can gradually become more distant from each other.


Intrigue only lasts so long
Curiosity and fascination only endure for a limited amount of time.


It's up to you to make a start
You need to take the initiative.


You're untouchable
You're still unapproachable.


You're untouchable
Unreachable and distant.


You're untouchable
Inaccessible and closed off.


You're untouchable
Hard to connect with.


Heaven knows you've got to open up somehow
Once again, you need to share your thoughts and feelings with me.


I can take it on the chin
I can handle it.




Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@slapiro

Has a real Beatles sound. Tilbrook is a national treasure.

@TarSpartan

Thanks for the video -- "Untouchable" is my favorite "solo" Glenn song, and probably in my top five overall!

@lixie1

Such a beautiful song!

@snipturn

Great Video - not seen it before - thanks for posting - the band all look, err, so young ;-)

@packetofthreedotcom

It was only available either on promo VHS to those in the industry or on the Japanese double-pack CD/DVD of Transatlantic Ping Pong (a nice collectors item!) Glad you like it. I love the song but it does remind me of Tony and Dawn's "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" somehow!

@icanwaitanotherday

He's still very cute! Great song

@packetofthreedotcom

@snipturn They do look young, don't they! Five years is a long time in pop!

@packetofthreedotcom

@tygre97 It's another great example of how well Chris Braide and Glenn write together. If they write something and it's going to be on the album, you know it's likely to be the next single.

@packetofthreedotcom

@daphnemaidstone I love the topping and tailing of the film with the taxi to give it a bit of Transatlantic Ping Pong, but some of the live scenes look really exciting too. The scene of them on top of the RV is hilarious! Which is your favourite scene?

@packetofthreedotcom

@bexappeal It's a pleasure - and the video is great fun - looks like a pre-cursor to much of their flufferstv work - glad you like it!

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