Enemy Fire
Ryan Adams Lyrics

The lyrics of Ryan Adams's song Enemy Fire carry an impact with a sense of urgency, especially when you decode the metaphors. The first two lines - enemy fire and enemy blanks - depict a sense of danger or threat. The succeeding lines - enemy roses and red-colored tanks - creates a juxtaposition of beauty and evil, disorientating the listener. It's as if, the beauty of the roses is infiltrated by the dangerous presence of the tanks. Similarly, in the second verse, enemy planes and red-colored chains creates a similar emotional turmoil.

The chorus emphasizes the importance of change. By singing "it's too late baby, baby, it's too late," Adams is communicating that if the addressee does not 'change', they will not escape the dangerous presence of the enemy. This presence might be interpreted as literal, a reference to a military enemy, or metaphorical, such as a substance addiction or a toxic relationship. Ultimately, you can interpret the song as a call for self-reflection and a push towards detachment from anything which looms as a threat.