To date, Olsen has released six studio albums: Half Way Home (2012), Burn Your Fire for No Witness (2014), My Woman (2016), All Mirrors (2019), Whole New Mess (2020) and Big Time (2022).
Enemy
Angel Olsen Lyrics
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But I won't hear it from you
I don't remember when
You last cared for the things I did
I wish I could believe
Apply all the sides you've seen
Or you could be the only one
Am I the ugly one?
It's easy to see past
All of the kindness that you've offered me
It doesn't last
It's just a thought I've had
If I could show you how
I came to think this way
Maybe you'd understand me now
Sometimes our enemies
Are closer than we think
Sometimes the ones we trust
May have to give up listening
I wish it were the same
As it is in my mind
I'd lie to learn a thing or two
Give me a reason why
Why am I not ashamed?
While I am standing still
You want to move in me like you did before
But I've had my fill
You say your time has changed
That you have faced defeat
We might be older now
But is it changing anything?
It could be in a way
We've learned to carry well
Oh, how I wish I could
Remove this doubt I feel somehow
I want the best for you
So I won't look your way
Maybe the clouds will clear
And I'll be seeing you someday
I wish it were the same
As it is in my mind
I am lighter on my feet
When I've left some things behind
Mm mm mm mm mm hmm hmm
The lyrics to Angel Olsen's song "Enemy" evoke uncertainty, doubt, and mistrust in relationships. The singer expresses a desire for understanding and a longing for the acceptance of their true self, but feels unable to gain it from their supposed ally. The lyrics convey a sense of unfulfilled expectations and a longing for a deeper connection.
The song begins with the singer admitting that they need advice but they won't listen to the person singing. The singer's reluctance to hear advice from the singer suggests a sense of disappointment or distrust in their relationship. The second stanza focuses on their wish for understanding and the feeling of being misunderstood. The singer asks whether they are "the ugly one" and wonders if the singer sees past "all of the kindness" they have been offered.
The third stanza implies the paradox of love and hate in relationships. The singer acknowledges the possibility that enemies can be closer than one may believe, while the ones they trust may betray them. The last stanza shifts the perspective towards the singer. The singer acknowledges the changes that the singer has gone through but asks if anything has changed, questioning whether they'll eventually reconnect or if they'll continue their separate paths.
Line by Line Meaning
I need advice, it's true
I need guidance to make decisions
But I won't hear it from you
I won't accept advice from you
I don't remember when
I can't recall the last time
You last cared for the things I did
You showed concern for my actions
I wish I could believe
I wish I could trust
Apply all the sides you've seen
Consider all the angles you've observed
Or you could be the only one
Perhaps you're the only one
Who knows the truth of me
Who truly understands me
Am I the ugly one?
Am I the unattractive one?
It's easy to see past
It's simple to overlook
All of the kindness that you've offered me
All the good things you've done for me
It doesn't last
They don't continue
It's just a thought I've had
It's only an idea I consider
If I could show you how
If I could demonstrate to you
I came to think this way
I arrived at this mindset
Maybe you'd understand me now
Perhaps you'd comprehend me at present
Sometimes our enemies
Occasionally, our adversaries
Are closer than we think
Are nearer than we imagine
Sometimes the ones we trust
Sometimes the people we confide in
May have to give up listening
May have to stop paying attention
I wish it were the same
I wish it were identical
As it is in my mind
As I perceive it to be
I'd lie to learn a thing or two
I'd be happy to learn something new
Give me a reason why
Tell me why
Why am I not ashamed?
Why do I not feel embarrassed?
While I am standing still
While I'm not progressing
You want to move in me like you did before
You want to have authority over me like you did previously
But I've had my fill
But I've had enough
You say your time has changed
You say that things are different
That you have faced defeat
You admit to being defeated
We might be older now
We could be more mature now
But is it changing anything?
But is it making any difference?
It could be in a way
It's possible that
We've learned to carry well
We've learned to cope effectively
Oh, how I wish I could
I wish I could
Remove this doubt I feel somehow
Eliminate this uncertainty I have in some manner
I want the best for you
I desire the best for you
So I won't look your way
So I won't pay you any attention
Maybe the clouds will clear
Perhaps things will become more transparent
And I'll be seeing you someday
And I'll encounter you at some point in time
I am lighter on my feet
I feel more agile
When I've left some things behind
When I've abandoned some things
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Angel Olsen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind