After almost eight years of outlasting waves of scensters in their hometown… Read Full Bio ↴After almost eight years of outlasting waves of scensters in their hometown of Halifax, Burdocks have emerged as rock heroes in these parts. Unlike many veteran bands that get stale, regurgitating the same old sound over and over, Burdocks never stop progressing. Through four albums and a manic tour schedule, they have evolved one of the most unique approaches to indie rock in Canada today. Critics, college radio geeks, and rock fans from across the country now adore them. Burdocks sound complex. One of their tunes has more guitar attacks, bass lines, and tempo changes than most entire albums—prog-rock fans are floored by a Burdocks set. But what makes them so special is an ability to overlay this musical athleticism with pop melodies and vocal structures powerful enough to grip listeners from all genre affiliations. Until now, The Burdocks have done it all themselves—built their own vans and gear, released their own albums, made their own way. But this year, Black Mountain Music convinced the DIY stalwarts that the rest of the world must be let in on this Canadian secret, and signed them up for a full-length album. Recorded at The House of Miracles in London and at Common Ground in Halifax, What We Do Is Secret will be Burdocks' fourth release. Undoubtedly their best work, this album captures the entire spectrum of one Eastern Canada’s finest exports.

Enemy
Burdocks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It must come as a shock

It has to strike like lightning to destroy us

Don't take much money to motivate em

They enjoy it,

They do it for fun

We are the incentive,

And they won't stop until we end it

Everything's under control

Everything's under control

Everything's under control

Everything's under control

Can I sit this one out?

For just this once I'd like to see what someone else does.

Don't take much money to motivate em

They enjoy it, they do it for fun

We are the incentive, and they won't stop until we end it

Everything's under control

Everything's under control

Everything's under control

Everything's under control

Pull yourself together

Pull yourself together

Pull yourself together

Pull yourself apart

Overall Meaning

The song "Enemy" by Burdocks is a commentary on the nature of conflict and violence within society. The opening lines, "It must come as a shock, It has to strike like lightning to destroy us" suggest that violence and conflict can often have sudden and unexpected consequences, and that they have the power to tear communities apart. The following lines, "Don't take much money to motivate em, They enjoy it, They do it for fun, We are the incentive, And they won't stop until we end it" provide insight into the motives behind violent behavior. Burdocks is suggesting that many people engage in violent behavior simply for the thrill of it, and that our own actions may be the very thing that encourages this kind of behavior.

As the song progresses, the refrain "Everything's under control" is repeated multiple times. This line can be interpreted in a number of different ways, but it seems to suggest a certain level of resignation or apathy in the face of conflict. The lines "Can I sit this one out? For just this once I'd like to see what someone else does" further emphasize this idea, as the singer seems to be expressing a desire to disengage from the conflict entirely.

However, the final lines of the song, "Pull yourself together, Pull yourself together, Pull yourself together, Pull yourself apart" suggest that maybe the answer to conflict is not to disengage, but to recognize our own role in perpetuating the cycle of violence and work towards dismantling it. Ultimately, Burdocks seems to be suggesting that while conflict and violence may be a natural part of human nature, we have the power to overcome it if we choose to do so.

Line by Line Meaning

It must come as a shock
It has to strike like lightning to destroy us

Don't take much money to motivate em
They don't require much money to be motivated; it is fun for them

They enjoy it,
The enemies actually enjoy attacking us

They do it for fun
Attacking and destroying us is a pastime and amusement for them

We are the incentive,
We are the reason that they keep attacking us

And they won't stop until we end it
They will continue until we are completely destroyed

Everything's under control
Nothing is going well but we pretend that everything is fine

Can I sit this one out?
Is it possible for me to opt-out of this attack just this time?

For just this once I'd like to see what someone else does.
I would like to observe and learn from what others do this time

Pull yourself together
Recompose yourself and be strong

Pull yourself apart
Breaking down in complete panic mode