Standing Over You
The Angels Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a man at the backdoor
Got a special feel
Looking over his shoulder
Another hollow deal

Goin' to show you a mountain
Goin' to offer you pearls
Goin' to make you believe
You can shake the world

Soft words of wisdom, tender loving care
Gold watch gains an hour, time to spare
And they give you a title
All the things you adore
Funny how you're as hungry as before

Like an 8-ball broken in two
Another hero standing over you

So they closed your number
Didn't like your style
Some off duty business in the private file
When they showed you a mountain
When they offered you pearls
Did you really believe
You could shake the world

Like an 8-ball broken in two
Another hero standing over you

Would why' give if why' could
Would why' fall where why' stood
Would why' shatter, would it matter
Would you lie down and die like you should





Like an 8-ball broken in two
Another hero standing over you

Overall Meaning

The Angels' song "Standing Over You" is a commentary on the power dynamics at play in society. The first few lines describe a man who is trying to manipulate someone - perhaps for personal gain. The chorus repeatedly mentions an "8-ball," which can be interpreted as an object of chance or a symbol of a split personality. The hero in question is standing over the listener, as if holding power over them. The song invites the listener to question society's structures and whether or not they themselves want to participate or challenge them.


The lyrics suggest that people can be easily taken in, swayed by promises of wealth or power. The song mentions pearls and a mountain, which are traditionally seen as symbols of success or prosperity. However, the lyrics suggest that these offerings may simply be "hollow deals," empty promises with no real substance. The song also mentions a "gold watch," which can be interpreted as a symbol of status or authority. However, it gains an hour - implying that time is never actually on our side.


The final lines of the song ask the listener what they would do if they were faced with similar challenges. Would they give up, lie down and die? Or would they stand strong and fight back? The song encourages its listeners to push back against societal norms, to question everything that they're told and to refuse to lie down under someone else's authority.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a man at the backdoor
An ominous figure is lurking nearby


Got a special feel
There is an eerie, unsettling sensation in the air


Looking over his shoulder
The man is paranoid, constantly checking for danger


Another hollow deal
The man is offering something that is ultimately empty or meaningless


Goin' to show you a mountain
The man promises to reveal something spectacular or impressive


Goin' to offer you pearls
The man promises to give you something precious or valuable


Goin' to make you believe
The man is trying to manipulate you into thinking a certain way


You can shake the world
The man promises that you have the power to make a significant impact


Soft words of wisdom, tender loving care
The man uses gentle words and actions to gain trust and influence


Gold watch gains an hour, time to spare
The man has a sense of luxury and privilege, seemingly having more time than others


And they give you a title
The people in power are trying to label or brand you in a certain way


All the things you adore
The people in power know what you desire and what brings you pleasure


Funny how you're as hungry as before
Even though you have received what you wanted, you still feel unsatisfied or unfulfilled


Like an 8-ball broken in two
This is a simile for feeling split or torn apart


Another hero standing over you
Someone else is exerting their authority or influence over you


So they closed your number
You have been rejected or overlooked


Didn't like your style
You do not fit the mold or fit in with the people in power


Some off duty business in the private file
There may be some hidden or shady dealings happening behind the scenes


When they showed you a mountain
The people in power may have falsely promised you something grand or impressive


Did you really believe
The artist is questioning whether or not you truly bought into the false promises


Would why' give if why' could
This is a rhetorical question about what you may or may not do if you had the opportunity


Would why' fall where why' stood
This is another rhetorical question, asking whether or not you would remain steadfast in your beliefs and morals


Would why' shatter, would it matter
A question of whether or not it would be worth it to break free from the constraints and expectations of the people in power


Would you lie down and die like you should
A question of whether or not you would give up and succumb to defeat




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRENT H. L. ECCLES, RICHARD BREWSTER-JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@aus80srockradio94

Another rock classic from the brilliant Howling LP.

@sing151

This rocks! Thanks for the upload

@paulbiggs3573

Love this song. heard it on a nightmare on Elm st 4. thanks for the up

@cyearly9426

Great soundtrack - HARD to find!!

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