"When I was about sixteen years old I took a train from Michigan to San Diego and then into Tijuana and hitchhiked around Mexico. It seemed like everybody else was looking for somebody to save them. I wrote it during that trip, but I had no idea it would ever be on a record."
The original version of "Who Will Save Your Soul" was initially released in 1995 on Jewel's debut album, Pieces of You and then excluded from the track list the following year, when she went back into the studio to re-record the song for the radio. Instead of just a guitar and her voice, other instruments were added. Catering towards a pop audience, a verse was cut, and the radio version of the single was produced. It incorporates unique vocal key changes and is a classic example of her honest lyrics and raw voice.
A commercial single of Who Will Save Your Soul was released in the United States in 1996. It became her first hit single, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who Will Save Your Soul
Jewel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say they're better than you and you agree
He says, "Hold my calls from behind those cold brick walls"
Says, "Come here, boy, there ain't nothing for free"
Another doctor's bill, a lawyer's bill
Another cute cheap thrill
You know you love him if you put in your will but
Who, who will save your souls after all the lies that you told, boy?
And who will save your souls if you won't save your own?
La di-di-da, di-da, di-da-da, da-la-da
We try to hustle them, try to bustle them, try to cuss 'em
The cops want someone to bust down on Orleans Avenue
Another day, another dollar, another war, another tower
Went up where the homeless had their homes
So we pray to as many different Gods as there are flowers
But we call religion our friend
We're so worried about saving our souls
Afraid that God will take His toll
That we forget to begin but
Who will save your souls when it comes to the babies now?
Who, who will save your souls after those lies that you told, boy?
And who will save your souls if you won't save your own?
La di-di-da, di-da, di-da-da, da-la-da
Some are walking, some are talking, some are stalking their kill
Got social security but it doesn't pay your bills
There are addictions to feed and there are mouths to pay
So you bargain with the devil, but you're okay for today, say
That you love them, take their money and run
Say it's been swell, sweetheart, but it was just one of those things
Those flings, those strings you've got to cut
So get out on the streets, girls, and bust your butts
Who will save your souls when it comes to the babies now?
Who, who will save your souls after those lies that you told, boy
And who will save your souls if you won't save your own?
Jewel's "Who Will Save Your Soul" is a thought-provoking song that delves into the way society works, highlighting the hypocrisy and greed that have become commonplace. The first verse sets the scene by describing the way people live their lives with a focus on those in positions of power. These people are often idolized, and their opinions are taken as gospel, even if their actions are questionable at best. The chorus questions who will save us from these people, asking who will speak out against them and stand up to their lies.
The second verse moves on to discuss the way society has become focused on religion, with people putting their faith into different gods and forgetting to live their lives. The repetition of the chorus highlights the repetitive nature of life, where people are so caught up in their daily routines that they forget to look at the bigger picture. The final verse brings things back to the monetary focus of life, discussing the way addictions take hold and people become slaves to their debts.
Overall, "Who Will Save Your Soul" is a powerful song that encourages us to take a step back from our busy lives and question the world around us. It reminds us that we have the power to make a difference, and we should always strive to do better.
Line by Line Meaning
People living their lives for you on TV
People act as though they're living for you on TV, and you accept and believe it
They say they're better than you and you agree
They claim they're superior to you, and you buy into it
He says, "Hold my calls from behind those cold brick walls"
A powerful man tells someone to ignore his calls from behind prison walls
Says, "Come here, boy, there ain't nothing for free"
The same man tells a young man that everything comes at a price
Another doctor's bill, a lawyer's bill
Paying for healthcare and legal help is expensive
Another cute cheap thrill
Spending money on momentary pleasures is common
You know you love him if you put in your will but
If you're willing to put him in your will, you probably love him
Who will save your souls when it comes to the powers now?
Who will protect your souls from corrupt authorities?
Who, who will save your souls after all the lies that you told, boy?
Who will save your soul after your dishonesty?
And who will save your souls if you won't save your own?
If you don't take care of your own soul, who will?
La di-di-da, di-da, di-da-da, da-la-da
Nonsensical words to further the song's rhythm
We try to hustle them, try to bustle them, try to cuss 'em
We try to trick, push, and insult others
The cops want someone to bust down on Orleans Avenue
The police are looking for someone to arrest on Orleans Avenue
Another day, another dollar, another war, another tower
Life is routine, with warfare and building destruction happening constantly
Went up where the homeless had their homes
Buildings are being constructed in places where homeless people used to live
So we pray to as many different Gods as there are flowers
We seek help from various deities
But we call religion our friend
We consider religion an ally
We're so worried about saving our souls
We're primarily concerned with the spiritual well-being of our souls
Afraid that God will take His toll
We're scared of how God will judge us
That we forget to begin but
We're too preoccupied to start making changes
Who will save your souls when it comes to the babies now?
Who will protect the souls of the innocent children?
Who, who will save your souls after those lies that you told, boy?
Who will spare your soul after your lies?
And who will save your souls if you won't save your own?
If you don't care for your own soul, who will?
La di-di-da, di-da, di-da-da, da-la-da
More nonsensical sound bites
Some are walking, some are talking, some are stalking their kill
Some people are simply walking, while others are actively seeking their prey
Got social security but it doesn't pay your bills
Having social security isn't enough to pay all of one's expenses
There are addictions to feed and there are mouths to pay
People have mouths to feed and addictions to support
So you bargain with the devil, but you're okay for today, say
You strike a deal with the devil in order to get by for today
That you love them, take their money and run
You pretend to love someone, take their money, and leave
Say it's been swell, sweetheart, but it was just one of those things
You say goodbye after treating the other person poorly
Those flings, those strings you've got to cut
You need to end those meaningless relationships
So get out on the streets, girls, and bust your butts
Go out and work hard, ladies
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jewel Kilcher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@heartheart5543
You might want to see some of her great live performance:
Jewel, who will save your soul, woodstock 99;
https://youtu.be/_RVYEgGgDKs
Jewel foolish games, 99:
https://youtu.be/Mss_hI13N_8
Jewel full concert, woodstock 99:
https://youtu.be/qUfuOAWgjx8
@heartheart5543
You might want to see some of her great live performance:
Jewel foolish games, 99:
https://youtu.be/Mss_hI13N_8
Jewel, who will save your soul, woodstock 99;
https://youtu.be/_RVYEgGgDKs
Jewel full concert, woodstock 99:
https://youtu.be/qUfuOAWgjx8
@marketslice5030
I'm working on that time machine, guys. I will get us all back home.
@LJWally
Market Slice Awesomeness
@rutheniaoliveirabasilio564
I'm ready
@Elguapo93
Thankyou haha
@heatherscott7301
Thank God lol
@saddamh8460
please
@auntyvenom133
I’d forgotten how amazing her voice is. Still a great song in 2023
@P3Drocket
Her songs aged like fine wine. Amazing lyrics, music and voice <3
@johnburgoyne6817
I’m trying to find some female singers songs that I enjoyed. Found one!
@mikehipps1015
Jewel is my dream. I close my eyes and get lost in her voice. I have never known happiness greater than how I feel when she sings. She speaks to my soul.