During live performances Brian plays the harmonica. He said the lyrics were "Written when I was hurting deeply and coming out of a very self-destructive relationship, hence the creepy atmosphere".
“Protect Me From What I Want” was re-recorded in French under the name “Protege Moi,” and released as a single from the compilation album "Once More With Feelings: Singles 1996 - 2004" but can also be found on the "Sleeping With Ghosts : B sides" album. It became the band’s most popular song in the country, climbing to number 18 on the French Singles Charts. The chorus remains in English, although the French title is sung in the background.
The song was translated by Virginie Despentes, The music video was directed by Gaspar Noé, and is very unsafe for work. The band do not feature in it, with the exception of a photograph on a mirror in the opening sequence of them. It was so pornographic, that the band released a separate video featuring footage from their 2003 Live In Paris DVD.
Protect Me from What I Want
Placebo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the disease that we crave
Alone at the end of the rave
We catch the last bus home
Corporate America wakes
Coffee republic in case
We open the latch on the gate
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Maybe we're victims of fate
Remember when we'd celebrate
We'd drink and get high until late
And now we're all alone
Wedding bells ain't gonna chime
With both of us guilty of crime
And both of us sentenced to time
And now we're all alone
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
The lyrics of the song Protect Me from What I Want by Placebo illustrate the struggle of indulging in self-destructive behaviors while simultaneously wishing to be protected from them. The chorus, "Protect me from what I want," highlights this internal battle that individuals face when they desire something that may harm them in the long run. The first verse describes the prevalence of this disease in society, with the disease being the craving for self-destructive behavior. The second verse expands on this concept by mentioning corporate America and the mundane aspects of life that trap individuals in a cycle of destructive behavior.
The bridge speaks to the regret that individuals may feel after indulging in these behaviors, suggesting that they may have once celebrated life but are now left alone. The final verse speaks to the consequences that come with these actions, such as the inability to commit to a partner and the punishment that comes with it.
Overall, the song presents a raw and honest depiction of the struggles individuals face when trying to control their own desires and urges. It's a reminder that seeking protection from oneself may be a necessary step in breaking free from negative patterns of behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the disease of the age
The prevalent issue of our time
It's the disease that we crave
We are addicted to this issue
Alone at the end of the rave
We are left isolated after the party ends
We catch the last bus home
We make our way back to our residences
Corporate America wakes
The corporations have awakened
Coffee republic in case
We rely on coffee shops for a sense of community
We open the latch on the gate
We unlock our doors to return home
Of the hole that we call our home
Our homes feel like empty spaces
Protect me from what I want,
I need protection from my own desires,
Protect me protect me
I require safety and security
Maybe we're victims of fate
Perhaps we have been doomed from the start
Remember when we'd celebrate
We reminisce about how we used to have fun
We'd drink and get high until late
We consumed substances to cope with our problems
And now we're all alone
But now we're left with our own thoughts
Wedding bells ain't gonna chime
Marriage is not in our future anymore
With both of us guilty of crime
We are both responsible for the downfall of our relationship
And both of us sentenced to time
We must suffer the consequences of our actions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM LLOYD, BRIAN MOLKO, STEFAN OLSDAL, STEVEN HEWITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CrazyGirl-dh4gp
"Protect Me From What I Want"
It's the disease of the age
It's the disease that we crave
Alone at the end of the rave
We catch the last bus home
Corporate America wakes
Coffee republic and cakes
We open the latch on the gate
Of the hole that we call our home
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Maybe we're victims of fate
Remember when we'd celebrate
We'd drink and get high until late
And now we're all alone
Wedding bells ain't gonna chime
With both of us guilty of crime
And both of us sentenced to time
And now we're all alone
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
@dianapaolamc5104
It's the disease of the age
It's the disease that we crave
Alone at the end of the rave
We catch the last bus home
Corporate America wakes
Coffee republic in case
We open the latch on the gate
Of the hole that we call our home
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Maybe we're victims of fate
Remember when we'd celebrate
We'd drink and get high until late
And now we're all alone
Wedding bells ain't gonna chime
With both of us guilty of crime
And both of us sentenced to time
And now we're all alone
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want,
Protect me protect me
@user-sd1zw4yf1l
C'est le malaise du moment
L'épidémie qui s'étend
La fête est finie, on descend
Les pensées qui glacent la raison
Paupières baissées, visages gris
Surgissent les fantômes de notre lit
On ouvre le loquet de la grille
Du taudis qu'on appelle maison
Protect me from what I want
Protect me from what I want
Protect me from what I want
Sommes-nous les jouets du destin
Souviens-toi des moments divins
Planant, éclatés, au matin
Et maintenant nous sommes tout seuls
Perdus les rêves de s'aimer
Le temps où on avait rien fait
Il nous reste toute une vie pour pleurer
Et maintenant nous sommes tout seuls
Protect me from what I want
Protect me from what I want
Protect me from what I want
@obliviateliv
this song is perfect for the times when you want things you feel guilty about
@rocsiali4092
Like times I urge to go back to abuse (victim mentality, codependent, etc)
@hoymmloy9440
Coke for me lol
@julienboulle786
This song is good when you want enter in battle 😉
@julienboulle786
@@hoymmloy9440 for me too... as now. But when I listen that I want fight! lol
@buzby303
Like sex & drugs & rock n roll
😜
@christinabooth5373
This song HITS. Every. Time.❤️🎶
@christospolydorou598
TRAGIC, BEAUTIFUL, SAD, TRUE. A MASTERPIECE
@CrazyGirl-dh4gp
"Protect Me From What I Want"
It's the disease of the age
It's the disease that we crave
Alone at the end of the rave
We catch the last bus home
Corporate America wakes
Coffee republic and cakes
We open the latch on the gate
Of the hole that we call our home
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Maybe we're victims of fate
Remember when we'd celebrate
We'd drink and get high until late
And now we're all alone
Wedding bells ain't gonna chime
With both of us guilty of crime
And both of us sentenced to time
And now we're all alone
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
Protect me from what I want...
Protect me protect me
@ivandrago4801
naaaah its stupidly protect me from my stupid brain