Boyd Rice and Friends is the name of a neofolk 'supergroup' around NON lead… Read Full Bio ↴Boyd Rice and Friends is the name of a neofolk 'supergroup' around NON leader Boyd Rice (this project's only static member). Other members have included: Douglas Pearce (aka Douglas P., of Death In June), Albin Martinek (aka Albin Julius and La Maison Moderne, of Der Blutharsch), Michael Moynihan (aka Coup De Grace, of Blood Axis), Rose McDowall (of Coil, Current 93 and Sorrow), Robert Ferbrache (of Blood Axis) and Tony Wakeford (of Sol Invictus and Death In June).

Another project, Boyd Rice & Fiends, has also included: Rice, Pearce, Martinek, Moynihan and McDowall.

Sites: Discogs

I'd Rather Be Your Enemy
Boyd Rice and Friends Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love's a game and its a shame
But sometimes you don't win
But don't you do what others do
When I see you again
Cause I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend
I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend
In a time when I was blind
I'd let you take me in

But don't you do what others do
When I see you again

Cause I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend
I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Boyd Rice and Friends' song I'd Rather Be Your Enemy are a commentary on the complexities and contradictions of love and friendship. The singer admits that love is a difficult game to play and sometimes painful as well. Despite this, the singer asserts that they don't want to succumb to the pressures of society and do what others do. The singer seems to be saying that they don't want to pretend to be friends with someone they have complicated feelings towards, especially if it means denying their true emotions. It is better to be honest about one's feelings and remain an enemy rather than pretending to be friends.

The repeated line 'I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend' drives the point home. The idea of preferring enmity over friendship may seem counterintuitive, but it highlights the value of authenticity and the freedom to express one's true self. The reference to being blind in the past suggests that the singer has learned from past experiences and is now wise not to repeat mistakes.

In summary, the lyrics of the song are a call to be honest about one's emotions even if that means risking rejection or misunderstanding. The message is that true freedom lies in being authentic, even if it means being an enemy rather than a friend.

Line by Line Meaning

Love's a game and its a shame
Love is often viewed as a game, but it's unfortunate that it can result in negative outcomes

But sometimes you don't win
Occasionally, love does not result in a positive outcome

But don't you do what others do
Don't follow the actions of others blindly

When I see you again
The artist will meet the other person again in the future

Cause I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend
The artist would prefer to be the other person's foe than be referred to as a friend

In a time when I was blind
During a period when the singer was ignorant of certain things

I'd let you take me in
The singer would allow the other person to manipulate or deceive them

Cause I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend
The artist would choose to be against the other person rather than be called a friend

I'd rather be your enemy than hear you call me friend
The artist reiterates that they would rather be considered a foe than a friend

Contributed by Dylan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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