Watching Over

**Watching Over** is the fourth track and second promotional single from Greta Van Fleet's debut studio album, *Anthem of the Peaceful Army*.

## Background and release

The song was written in mid-2016 and the band quickly recorded a demo while they were in Nashville. Jake Kiszka said all members of the band delivers themselves musically on the song and added, "That's more of an ode to where we are as musicians now. A lot of album was done in one large room, and on that one we had a particular special energy when we started tracking it....we kept pushing each other."

The track was released as a promo single on September 7, 2018, along with the announcement of the album's title, release date, and detailed physical and digital tracklisting via the band's official Twitter and Instagram accounts.

## About the song

The song's sound is described as a '70s-style hard rock mid-tempo jam with some psychedelic flourishes. Lyrically, covers the subject of climate change and rising water levels, criticizing society for ignoring them.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**
Many long years amongst the trees
Many long years in the ground
To be with one that's never seen
The one that stands and watches over

**[Chorus]**
I wonder when we'll realize
This is what we got left
And it's our demise
With the water rising
And the air so thin
Still the children smiling
Can we see no sin

**[Verse 2]**
This is what we all have seen
Too many years tearing down
Even though we couldn't believe
It's only clearer in a mirror
Now

**[Chorus]**
I wonder when we'll realize
This is what we got left
And it's our demise
With the water rising
And the air so thin
Still the children smiling
Can we see no sin

See no sin
Say no sin
Oh woah woah

Ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah, no!

## Critical Reception

*MetalSucks* praised the track and said: "[...] there’s no doubt it’s a helluva song. It’s catchy, it’s got riffs, and duh, the vocals are incredible." *Ones to Watch* praised its sound and themes, saying: "[The song] is a ‘70s-style outright jam with an inescapable message. A rock band for the ages, Greta Van Fleet flourish their timeless rock sound with not only psychedelic flourishes but with allusions to the current state of the world. Making references to rising water levels, air pollution, and guiltlessly allowing future generations to bear the brunt of our destruction, “Watching Over” hits all the rights chords thematically and sonically. If “Watching Over” is any indication of what is to come for Greta Van Fleet, then we may just be witnessing the beginning of a rock renaissance."

## Trivia

* On the recording Jake plays a Danelectro Baby Sitar.

## References

1. ↑ https://expo.mlive.com/life-and-culture/erry-2018/10/e343fab6bb6369/trackbytrack-with-greta-van-fl.html
2. ↑ https://www.revolvermag.com/music/greta-van-fleet-premiere-new-song-watching-over-detail-debut-album
3. ↑ https://www.google.com/amp/s/zumic.com/watching-over-greta-van-fleet-youtube-audio-single/amp
4. ↑ https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/09/07/heres-greta-van-fleets-new-song-watching-over/amp/
5. ↑ https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/greta-van-fleet-announces-debut-album-with-the
6. ↑ https://www.guitarworld.com/amp/artists/greta-expectations-greta-van-fleet-guitarist-jake-kiszka-talks-new-album-anthem-of-the-peaceful-army