Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Save Us
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Save us from the falling rain
Save us from the House of God
Save us from the wind that bleeds
Nothing seems to matter anyway
When that wind begins to blow
Save us from the House of God
Save us from the wind that bleeds
Save us from the falling rain
And in the dark and cold of night
I have to face it all again
And face it harder, hopelessly
With no idea what to do
Save us from the wind that bleeds
Save us from the falling rain
Save us from the House of God
Save us from the falling rain
The opening lyrics of John Cale's "Save Us" introduce the notion of rescuing oneself from the elements: wind and falling rain. These two metaphors for life's hardships are often used in literary and artistic works as symbols of adversity, chaos, and uncertainty. The repetition of these two lines, alternating with two other lines, indicates a cyclical pattern that contributes to the song's overall feeling of perpetual struggle. The line "Save us from the House of God" may be interpreted in different ways, but it could represent the negative experiences some people have had with organized religion. Cale's focus on themes of suffering and helplessness is amplified by the repetition of the plea for salvation - "Save us from..." - which implies a sense of desperation and the need for divine intervention.
The chorus of "Save Us" shifts slightly in its final repetition, swapping "the wind that bleeds" with "the falling rain" as the first line. This switch in phrasing subtly shifts the song's focus from the external forces that cause pain to the internal experience of despair. Cale sings "Nothing seems to matter anyway / When that wind begins to blow," which underscores the pervasive nature of suffering. The second verse further highlights the feelings of isolation and hopelessness that accompany suffering, with the singer admitting to facing their struggles "harder, hopelessly / With no idea what to do." The repetition of the chorus reinforces the cyclical nature of the singer's situation and makes it clear that the plea for salvation remains unfulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
Save us from the wind that bleeds
Protect us from the harsh effects of nature and the traumatic emotional wounds that scars us deep inside
Save us from the falling rain
Shield us from the adversity and hardships of life which bring us down and make us feel helpless
Save us from the House of God
Deliver us from any institution or power exploiting us, using our vulnerability to their advantage, in the pretext of providing comfort and solace
Nothing seems to matter anyway
Everything feels pointless and insignificant when faced with overwhelming distress and misery
When that wind begins to blow
In the face of unbearable difficulties
And in the dark and cold of night
During the moments of despair and loneliness beyond support and help
I have to face it all again
Having no choice but to confront the same struggles repeatedly
And face it harder, hopelessly
Despite trying harder, feeling powerless and without any hope
With no idea what to do
Lacking any solution or means to alleviate the pain and suffering
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Davies Cale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind