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Who Needs Enemies?
The Cooper Temple Clause Lyrics
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Lets just see what we can do
First we'll take you down back to the meathouse
And then you'll hold their hands again
I know tricks that you could only dream of
Looks like it's your lucky day
A killer key change
Is all you'll ever need
But who needs enemies
When you've got friends
Now your hands are tied
And who needs accidents
When you've got me
Now I'm on your side
Now let's try and teach you how to mingle
Then we'll teach you how to kill
Lies will always be your best of best friends
Never be alone again
A killer key change
Is all you'll ever need
All these animals
That you call friends
Now they're on their knees
Man, you tricked 'em all
You played the fool
So damn easy to please
I made my name in function rooms
And drifting through the walls
Come on let me teach you boy
Teach you 'bout it all
All these animals
That you call friends
Now they're on their knees
Man, you tricked 'em all
You played the fool
So damn easy to please
The Cooper Temple Clause's song "Who Needs Enemies?" is a track that, on the surface of it, speaks to the manipulation of others for personal gain. The opening statement, "My oh my, I'm seeing the potential, let's just see what we can do," sets the tone for the track on the whole, suggesting a confidence that speaks to an invisible sense of power. The lyrics "First we'll take you down to the meathouse, and then you'll hold their hands again," speaks to the idea of coaxing someone out of their comfort zone and, as it seems, into some sort of setting that both the singer and the victim finds disturbing. The next lines on the same theme of offering the listener something that they've never considered before, suggesting that the singer knows tricks that the victim can only dream of, leaving the individual apparently impressed.
Throughout the song, the individual manipulation of the victim is a heavy theme, with the chorus asking "who needs enemies when you've got friends?" an apparent suggestion that friends are often the real enemies that work constantly to pull people down. The phrase "now your hands are tied," is also an interesting choice, with the song seeming to tie down the victim in a way that they can't move forward without the singer's help. The song seems to be written from the perspective of someone who wishes to manipulate the person they are singing to, although it isn't entirely clear who that might be.
Line by Line Meaning
My oh my, I'm seeing the potential
I am confident and excited about the opportunities in front of us
Lets just see what we can do
We should experiment and try new things
First we'll take you down back to the meathouse
We will bring you to a place where you will have to face your fears
And then you'll hold their hands again
After overcoming your fears, you can go back to your old ways
I know tricks that you could only dream of
I have secret knowledge and skills that you cannot even imagine
Looks like it's your lucky day
You are fortunate to have me on your side
A killer key change
A drastic and effective change in strategy
Is all you'll ever need
This strategy will be sufficient to achieve your goals
But who needs enemies
Having enemies is unnecessary
When you've got friends
Because with friends like me, enemies are irrelevant
Now your hands are tied
You are constrained and limited in your actions
And who needs accidents
Undesirable consequences are avoidable
When you've got me
Because with me, you can control the outcome
Now I'm on your side
I am supportive of you and your goals
Now let's try and teach you how to mingle
We will teach you how to socialize and make connections
Then we'll teach you how to kill
Once you have connections, we will teach you how to use them to your advantage
Lies will always be your best of best friends
Deception is a valuable tool
Never be alone again
You will always have me and my guidance
All these animals
These people
That you call friends
That you trust and rely on
Now they're on their knees
They are vulnerable and at your mercy
Man, you tricked 'em all
You have successfully deceived them all
You played the fool
You acted naive and unsuspecting
So damn easy to please
They were easily manipulated
I made my name in function rooms
I gained my credibility and reputation in practical situations
And drifting through the walls
I have the ability to be unseen and undetected
Come on let me teach you boy
You need to listen to me and learn
Teach you 'bout it all
I will teach you everything you need to know to succeed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BURT F BACHARACH, THOMAS RHYS BELLAMY, GAUTREY BENEDICT MARTXEL, DAVID HAL, DANIEL FRANK FISHER, DAVID JONATHAN HAMMOND, JONATHAN DANIEL HARPER, KIERAN JAMES MAHON, Benedict Gautrey, Burt Bacharach, Daniel Fisher, David Hammond, Hal David, Jonathan Harper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
somerandomhuman
My oh my, i'm seeing the potential
Lets just see what we can do
First we'll take you down back to the meathouse
And then you'll hold their hands again
I know tricks that you could only dream of
Looks like it's your lucky day
A killer key change
Is all you'll ever need
[chorus]
But who needs enemies
When you've got friends
Now your hands are tied
And who needs accidents
When you've got me
Now i'm on your side
Now lets try and teach you how to mingle
Then we'll teach you how to kill
Lies will always be your best of best friends
Never be alone again
A killer key change
Is all you'll ever need
[chorus]
All these animals
That you call friends
Now they're on their knees
Man, you tricked 'em all
You played the fool
So damn easy to please
I made my name in function rooms
And drifting through the walls
Come on let me teach you boy
Teach you 'bout it all
[chorus]
All these animals
That you call friends
Now they're on their knees
Man, you tricked 'em all
You played the fool
So damn easy to please
A A
the most underrated band of the 00s, period.
Cosmo mullen
Brilliant band and massively underrated
Dave Smith
Agree
Gypsy Emperor
too true, I remember watching them live years ago and thinking these guys are gonna be huge.. shame.
Buz Ket
One of the most underrated bands that were about and when they had a song on fifa 04' you know they should of had more recognition! PROMISES PROMISES <3
Roland Kunz jr
Miss Them Badly...One Of The Greatest Bands Of The Zero Years
Dan W
The drummer Jon taught me at music school in 2010-ish. Nicest guy you'll ever meet. Everyone liked Jonny boy!
TheHappydead
Such a great band. This would make an excellent Bond tune
James Swinford
Quality band. Way ahead of their time.
Commander E.
The Cooper Temple Clause never slagged other bands off, but instead made better music !