Safe From Harm
Massive Attack Lyrics
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City slickers
Gunmen and maniacs
All will feature on the freakshow
And I can't do nothing 'bout that, no
But if you hurt what's mine
I'll sure as hell retaliate
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
Terious, terious, terious, infectious and dangerous
Friends and enemies find us contagerious
I was lookin' back to see if you were lookin' back at me
To see me lookin' back at you
Lucky dippers
Crazy chancers
Seems to be moving fast
What happened to the nicities
Of my childhood days
Well I can't do nothing 'bout that, no
But if you hurt what's mine
I'll sure as hell retaliate
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
Terious, terious, terious, infectious and dangerous
Friends and enemies I find it's contagerous
And they're spreading through your system like a virus
Yes the trouble in the end it makes you anxious
I was lookin' back to see if you were lookin back at me
To see me lookin back at you
I was lookin' back to see if you were lookin back at me
To see me lookin back at you
But if you hurt what's mine
I'll sure as hell retaliate
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
The lyrics of the first verse convey a sense of helplessness and fear in the face of a dangerous world. The "Midnight rockers" and "City slickers" are likely references to people who engage in risky behavior and live fast lives, while the "Gunmen and maniacs" suggest a real threat of violence. The singer recognizes that they cannot control these forces, but they will fiercely protect what is theirs. The repeated line "You can free the world, you can free my mind / Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight" highlights the idea that freedom means little if one doesn't feel safe.
The second verse continues this theme of danger lurking everywhere, with "Terious, terious, terious, infectious and dangerous," (possibly a reference to the Latin word for fear, "tereor") describing the feeling of imminent threat. The singer longs for simpler times when "nicities / Of my childhood days" were intact, but knows that this is not possible in the world they inhabit. The ultimate message is that the singer will fight tooth and nail to protect what is precious to them, but they also recognize that there is a limit to their power.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight rockers
People who party until midnight
City slickers
People who are smart, fashionable, and successful, especially those living in cities
Gunmen and maniacs
Dangerous people with weapons and mental disorders
All will feature on the freakshow
All these people will be present in society, like in a circus freak show exhibiting strange people
And I can't do nothing 'bout that, no
The artist cannot stop these people from existing, no matter how much they would want to.
But if you hurt what's mine
If someone harms something belonging to the singer
I'll sure as hell retaliate
They would take action against the harm doer.
You can free the world, you can free my mind
The artist feels that you can achieve anything, but the safety of their loved one is essential.
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
The artist would prefer that anything irrelevant can wait, as long as their loved one is free from danger.
Terious, terious, terious, infectious and dangerous
Things, people or situations that act like viruses, which are annoying, unpleasant and hazardous.
Friends and enemies find us contagious
Persons close to the singer are equally affected by the singer's feelings and decisions.
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me
The artist is curious if someone has noticed them and reciprocated the gesture.
To see me looking back at you
The singer wants to show that they also care and have affection towards the person who they are curious about.
Lucky dippers
People who are willing to try new things
Crazy chancers
People who take chances without thinking of the consequences
Seems to be moving fast
Life events appear to be happening too quickly, without the artist mentally or emotionally preparing for them.
What happened to the niceties of my childhood days
The artist longs for the simpler, more pleasant moments of their youth.
But if you hurt what's mine
If someone harms something belonging to the singer
I'll sure as hell retaliate
The singer would take swift action against the perpetrator of harm.
Terious, terious, terious, infectious and dangerous
Dangerous circumstances that persist and take up space in a person's life, like an invulnerable virus.
Friends and enemies I find it's contagious
The artist believes that people close to them are affected by their emotions and attitudes, for good or ill.
And they're spreading through your system like a virus
The artist implies that even others apart from themselves can catch and be influenced by the negativity in their life.
Yes the trouble in the end it makes you anxious
The singer believes that issues cause people to be upset and struggle
You can free the world, you can free my mind
The artist believes that one can accomplish everything, but keeping their loved ones safe and out of emotional turmoil must come first.
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
The singer wants to ensure that their loved ones are free from the peril in the world, even if it means prioritizing other things lower than usual.
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me
The singer is wanting to see if their love has been returned.
To see me looking back at you
The singer is indicating that they equally reciprocate or have affection towards the person whom they are curious about.
But if you hurt what's mine
If someone harms something belonging to the artist
I'll sure as hell retaliate
They would take necessary steps in response to defend their property.
You can free the world, you can free my mind
The singer firmly believes that individual possibilities are endless; however, they still prioritize the safety of their dear one.
Just as long as my baby's safe from harm tonight
Anything in the world can wait, but the singer prefers to ensure their loved one is out of harm's way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, Grantley Marshall, Robert Del Naja, Shara Nelson, William Emanuel Cobham Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lucyj.5535
The very first time I heard this song was at my boyfriend's house in London in 1994. He passed away in 2010. I miss him terribly but he left me his great taste in music and love. Such a beautiful man. Such a beautiful song. Love you always Dave.
@OversikerSTUDIO
I am very sorry for your loss, true love is so hard to find.
@kiddmakow3095
Yes sorry to hear if your loss, he obviously left a part of himself in the world with you at least.
@jak8720
He sounds like a really cool guy. My condolences
@mertkalkan4961
İm sad to hear that. İ m sure he was so good person because of taste music
@alexevansuk
My son's name is David, he lives in Australia. He'll be on the verge of adulthood soon enough - he loves MA.
@bornflippy1
December 2023 and this song still sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Better than ALL of the crap on the radio and what passes for music today and obviously a masterpiece.
@machineheadlionheart
2024
@neindanke84
oh yeah <3
@JohnJohn-cu7nk
And the ripped the whole tune that was created in 1973 from someone else😮