Friendly Fire
Aaron Flinn Lyrics


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the sky's alive with emerald eyes
rocket lies and black
better not go outside tonight
you might not make it back

i have a friend who's gone away
his words today by wire
""do not fear the guns you hear
it's only friendly fire""

mistakes are made with lives they are paid
spelled out by lazy lies
and even you don't believe it's true
when it's right before your eyes

your sight is blurred by clever words
like success, like desire
some things kill, any bullet will
yes, even friendly fire

i know i won't be alone
with my feelings here
what can we say yesterday
to make this all disappear

how can man raise an angry hand
can hatred ever tire
burned by the flame, by any other name
it's still just friendly fire

you feel it grow deep in the bone
you are its home, it is here
or it sets from behind in the dark when you're blind
like your worst hidden childhood fear

hopes are few you tell yourself it's true
then you wish yourself a liar




to war you go, against your very own
it's all friendly fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aaron Flinn's song "Friendly Fire" delve into the devastating consequences of war and the hypocrisy of violence among humans. In the first verse, the imagery of an alive sky with emerald eyes and rocket lies conveys a sense of danger and deception. The cautionary line "better not go outside tonight, you might not make it back" emphasizes the potential loss of life.


The second verse introduces a personal connection to the theme of the song. The singer mentions a friend who has gone away and received a message assuring them not to fear the sounds of guns because it is "only friendly fire." This is a poignant statement that highlights the tragic nature of warfare, where even the label "friendly fire" cannot truly soften or justify the reality of lives lost due to mistakes and recklessness.


The third verse explores the manipulation and distortion of truth through clever words and false concepts like success and desire. The singer suggests that even though the truth is evident before our eyes, we often choose not to believe it. The phrase "some things kill, any bullet will, yes, even friendly fire" reiterates the indiscriminate and destructive nature of violence.


The chorus acknowledges the shared sentiment of those who oppose or feel the weight of war, emphasizing the desire to make the suffering disappear. The following lines question how people can raise an angry hand and whether hatred can ever tire. The phrase "burned by the flame, by any other name, it's still just friendly fire" metaphorically underscores that violence and its consequences remain essentially the same, regardless of the justifications or euphemisms assigned to them.


The final verse depicts the insidious nature of fear and its ability to infiltrate one's very being. The lyric "it sets from behind in the dark when you're blind, like your worst hidden childhood fear" suggests that fear can lurk in our subconscious, reemerging when we feel vulnerable or unaware. The song concludes with a reflection on the paradoxical nature of willingly going to war against one's own, emphasizing the tragedy and futility inherent in friendly fire.


Overall, "Friendly Fire" is a thought-provoking song that explores the destructive nature of violence, the manipulation of truth, and the human cost of war.


Line by Line Meaning

the sky's alive with emerald eyes
The atmosphere is filled with danger and deceit


rocket lies and black
False information and dark intentions


better not go outside tonight
It's advised to stay away from the danger


you might not make it back
Survival is uncertain


i have a friend who's gone away
Someone close has left


his words today by wire
Communication from a distance


""do not fear the guns you hear
Don't be alarmed by the sound of weapons


it's only friendly fire""
It's harm caused by allies


mistakes are made with lives they are paid
Fatal errors result in loss of life


spelled out by lazy lies
Deceptive explanations that lack effort


and even you don't believe it's true
Even though you see it, you doubt its reality


when it's right before your eyes
When the evidence is unmistakable


your sight is blurred by clever words
Persuasive language distorts your perception


like success, like desire
Similar to the allure of achievement and longing


some things kill, any bullet will
Various things can cause harm, including friendly fire


yes, even friendly fire
Friendly fire can also be deadly


i know i won't be alone
I won't be the only one affected


with my feelings here
With emotions present


what can we say yesterday
What words can we use to change the past


to make this all disappear
To make everything vanish


how can man raise an angry hand
How can humanity act violently


can hatred ever tire
Does hatred ever cease


burned by the flame, by any other name
Damaged by the fire, regardless of its label


it's still just friendly fire
Even if it's called friendly, it remains harmful


you feel it grow deep in the bone
You sense its presence intensifying within


you are its home, it is here
You are its dwelling place, it's all around


or it sets from behind in the dark when you're blind
Or it strikes unexpectedly when you can't see


like your worst hidden childhood fear
Similar to the deepest fears from your past


hopes are few you tell yourself it's true
You convince yourself that optimism is scarce


then you wish yourself a liar
You desire to prove yourself wrong


to war you go, against your very own
You engage in conflict with your own comrades


it's all friendly fire
The harm inflicted is due to friendly fire




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: AARON FLINN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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