Together, Campbell and Lanegan formed a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They released a series of albums: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. Their third album Hawk was released in August 2010. The same year the live album "Live At The Barbican London 2010 " was released.
Get Behind Me
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you need a friend
Get behind me
Girl until the end
Get behind me
Got two ears to bend
Don’t make me nervous
I won’t ask again
Get behind me
If we start today
Get behind me
Baby all the way
Get behind me
Brighten up my day
Ask me where I’m going
I’m going all the way
Get behind me
Under lock and key
Get behind me
Baby then we’ll see
Get behind me
Are you jiving me
Pull yourself together
It’s an emergency
Get behind me
Whither near or far
If it’s such a long way
Baby bring your car
Chevy Montecarlo, with my old guitar
We’ll have a good time
Underneath the stars
Get behind
Through the thick and thin
Want to double cross me
Then I’d let you win
Don’t have any answers, baby I give
Not sure where you’re ending
Or where I begin?
Now if you don’t want me
Honey let me be
Nothing’s ever easy
Nothing’s ever free
Been a long time riding
Down to Tennessee
Don’t know what I’m driving
Think it’s driving me
Get behind me
Tighten up your groove
Get behind me
Like the way you move
Get behind me
Shake it mamma shake
Don’t make me nervous
It’s more than I can take
The lyrics to Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan's song "Get Behind Me" can be interpreted as a plea for companionship and loyalty. The repetition of the phrase "Get behind me" emphasizes the singer's desire for someone to join them on their journey, and the reference to having "two ears to bend" suggests a need for emotional support. The chorus reinforces this sentiment, with the singer urging their companion to "brighten up [their] day" and promising to go "all the way" together.
However, there is also an undercurrent of tension and uncertainty present in the lyrics. The lines "Are you jiving me / Pull yourself together / It's an emergency" suggest that the singer may have doubts about their companion's reliability or commitment. The reference to being "under lock and key" could also imply a sense of being trapped or confined, and the repeated urge for the companion to "get behind" the singer could be seen as an attempt to assert control or dominance in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to "Get Behind Me" convey a complex mix of longing, vulnerability, and assertiveness, reflecting the many emotions and dynamics that can be present in friendships and romantic partnerships.
Line by Line Meaning
Get behind me
I need you to support me and have my back
If you need a friend
I'll be here for you like a true friend
Girl until the end
I'll be with you through thick and thin
Got two ears to bend
I'm willing to listen to your problems and concerns
Don’t make me nervous
Don't stress me out with indecision or inaction
I won’t ask again
I'm serious about wanting your support and I won't beg for it
If we start today
Let's get going and make a fresh start
Baby all the way
I'm committed to seeing this through to the end
Brighten up my day
Your presence and support bring me joy and hope
Ask me where I’m going
I have direction and purpose
I’m going all the way
I'm fully committed to this journey and won't give up easily
Under lock and key
I'll keep you close to me and protect you
Baby then we’ll see
We'll figure it out together and be open to what happens
Are you jiving me
Are you kidding or playing a joke on me?
Pull yourself together
Get your act together and focus on what's important
It’s an emergency
This is serious and requires immediate attention
Whither near or far
No matter how far apart we are, I still want your support
If it’s such a long way
Even if the journey is difficult and long
Baby bring your car
Let's travel together, I don't want to go alone
Chevy Montecarlo, with my old guitar
Let's take a road trip together with my trusty guitar
We’ll have a good time
We'll enjoy each other's company and make great memories
Underneath the stars
We'll find beauty and meaning in the world around us
Through the thick and thin
We'll stick together no matter what life throws our way
Want to double cross me
Are you planning to betray me?
Then I’d let you win
I won't fight back if you hurt or deceive me
Don’t have any answers, baby I give
I don't have all the solutions, but I'll do my best to help
Not sure where you’re ending
I don't know where you'll end up in life
Or where I begin?
I'm not sure where my own journey will take me
Now if you don’t want me
If you don't want to be with me
Honey let me be
I'll accept your decision and move on
Nothing’s ever easy
Life is full of challenges and struggles
Nothing’s ever free
Everything comes at a cost or sacrifice
Been a long time riding
I've been on this journey for a while
Down to Tennessee
I've traveled to Tennessee and back
Don’t know what I’m driving
I'm not sure what's motivating me or where I'm headed
Think it’s driving me
I feel like my desires and passions are controlling me
Tighten up your groove
Let's get focused and get in sync with each other
Like the way you move
I admire your energy and enthusiasm
Shake it mamma shake
Let loose and have some fun with me
It's more than I can take
Your absence or lack of support is too much for me to bear
Contributed by Emma P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Tuzotonic
A great driving track off of a really good album. Sounds like a rock cover of an old blues song but it's an original. Isobel Campbell sounds far removed from her days as a member of Belle and Sebastian.
@wijjiamdrum1
i was gonna make a gay joke about this song, butt fuck it