Heaven Help Us

Album: East (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Canadian singer and songwriter explained in his 2016 Songfacts interview what inspired this tune. "I wrote that song years ago about a friend of mine who started a band and he was really excited about it," said Rutledge. "They were playing in New York for the first time and they were all going down. I guess that's how it starts anyway. I just remembered my first time when I started going down to the States. It's just so hard down there. I mean, you're playing for no one."

    He continued, "I just started with this tale of this band going down, white-knuckling their way down South. 'They're going to be angry at the cops and at the parking.' I just envisioned them getting into New York and trying to find their way around.

    But then it broadens out. There's a verse where I talk about my fictional wife. I don't have a wife, but there's a verse:

    My wife is sad upon the morning
    She says nothing ever goes her way
    She looks at me and then she looks away


    There are just these little moments. In the chorus, 'Heaven help us all,' and then the bridge, 'Something changes, something changes us,' there are these little moments that change you. Everyone talks about 'the moment my life changed,' but it doesn't have to be a big event. It can be the way someone looks at you or it can be a night in New York. It can be anything anywhere and it can be really small."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.