Safe from Harm (song)

"Safe from Harm" is the third single and opening track from Blue Lines, the 1991 debut from Massive Attack, with vocals by Shara Nelson and Robert Del Naja. The bass, guitar, and drums are sampled from the song "Stratus" by Billy Cobham, from his album Spectrum (with guitar by Tommy Bolin). Additional drums are sampled from "Good Old Music" by Funkadelic. Other samples come from Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon", and some of the background vocals are based on Johnny "Guitar" Watson's 1961 song Looking Back. 

"Safe from Harm" (Perfecto Mix) is featured at the end of the Michael Mann-directed movie The Insider.

Track listing
 "Safe from Harm" (radio edit) – 4:28
 "Safe from Harm" (12" version) – 6:57
 "Safe from Harm" (7" version) – 4:28
 "Safe from Harm" (Perfecto Mix) – 8:09
 "Safe from Harm" (Just a Dub)(by Steve Smith) – 3:14
 "Safe from Harm" (Just a Groove Dub)(by Steve Smith) – 3:18

Inspiration
The liner notes to Blue Lines mention the movie Taxi Driver as an influence, and it's clear that the movie was inspiration for this song's lyrics. The movie stars Robert DeNiro as a paranoid Vietnam vet who drives a taxi at night. He becomes obsessed with saving a child prostitute played by Jodie Foster, and ends up killing some people in his efforts. The spooky atmosphere in this song goes with the theme, as do the lines about protecting a child.

Charts and sales

Peak positions

References

External links

Category:Massive Attack songs
Category:1991 singles
Category:Virgin Records singles
Category:1991 songs
Category:Songs written by Daddy G (English musician)
Category:Songs written by Andrew Vowles
Category:Songs written by Robert Del Naja
Category:Songs written by Shara Nelson
Category:Song recordings produced by Jonny Dollar
Category:Black-and-white music videos