Across three solo albums, DAWN has honed a style of music that she describes as “genderless and genreless”.
DAWN’s 2019 album New Breed was her most successful to date. Showcasing her home city New Orleans and the Carnival Indian culture makes her latest album a one of a kind masterpiece. Her vocal and dance ability are matched with her production and songwriting skills making her one of most extraordinary talents of our time. New Breed was named as one of the year’s best albums by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Vogue, FACT, LA Times, Spin, Rap Up and many more. DAWN continues to push the boundaries of music and visual technology with her videos and live show, becoming the first artist to perform live in 360 on YouTube. She has also released a VR album debuted by WIRED as well as collaborated with her long time partners Adult Swim making her the first black female singer to do so. What makes DAWN a unique pop sensation and a phenomenon is that she does this all DIY. Being completely Independent with no label or team she has broken ceilings for women, POC, LGBTQ, and so many others. DAWN is more than just her music, she is a movement.
Warfaire
Dawn Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Against discouragement and fear
Some fool stands always in my way
The path ahead is never good
I must forever be on guard against the doubts that skulk along
I get ahead by fighting hard
The fighting keeps my spirit strong
Pieces would fall from you guard
No more hiding in the dark
I'd see you for who you are
I could rearrange the parts
Take the tarot out the cards
You were changing faces, switching like a dream at night
(Switch 'em like a Gemini)
You can’t even tell the truth to save your fuckin' life
Would’ve gave my life for you, would’ve paid the price
(I would’ve gave my life for you)
But when wagered a war for you, I never thought I’d die
Won’t surrender to your arms
No peace, sound the alarm
No more reasons to hold on
Now who’s in your army?
Who's gonna shield you from the flame
Now you’re crying sorry
When can see the bullets in the air
Wanted you to love me
But you never seemed to care
Warfaire (warfaire)
All good (it’s all good)
Right here, what you wanna do (I ain’t scared)
Warfaire
All good (it’s all good)
Right here, whatcha you wanna do
Whatcha you wanna do
Hey what you wanna do?
Whatcha wanna do if a mirror showed your heart?
Would I see another life?
Would I make the wrong turn right?
Don’t wanna be another’s scar
But I fell in love with harm
All your bullshit and your charm
You were changing faces, switching like a Gemini
You can’t even tell the truth to save your fuckin' life
Would’ve gave my life for you, would’ve paid the price
Bu when I waged all for you I never thought I’d die
Now who’s in your army?
Who's gonna shield you from the flame
Now you’re crying sorry
When you see the bullets in the air
Wanted you to love me
But you never seemed to care
Warfaire (warfaire)
All good (all good)
Right here, whatcha wanna do
Warfaire
All good (all good)
Right here, whatcha wanna do
Whatcha wanna do
Hey, whatcha wanna do?
The lyrics of Dawn Richard's song "Warfaire" tell the story of a battle that the singer fights every day, not against a physical enemy, but against discouragement and fear. There is always someone in the way, and the path ahead is never clear. With fighting as the only means to keep her spirit strong, she reflects on the possibility of a mirror showing one's heart. She imagines that if she were to see the true heart of someone else, she would be able to rearrange their parts and strip away their guard. But the possibility of such vulnerability is scary because it could reveal someone as nothing more than a scar left by another's harm.
The lyrics detail the pain of being in a one-sided relationship where one person would give their life for the other, but is met with lies and betrayal. The singer reflects on how they never thought they would die in this war for love, but the other person does not seem to care. The song ends with the singer asking what the other person wants to do if a mirror showed their heart, as if to challenge the other person to face their own demons.
Line by Line Meaning
I fight a battle every day
Every day is a struggle to overcome discouragement and fear.
Against discouragement and fear
The fight is against negative emotions that can hold someone back.
Some fool stands always in my way
There will always be obstacles that come in the way of progress.
The path ahead is never good
The path is always difficult and uncertain.
I must forever be on guard against the doubts that skulk along
One must always be vigilant and aware of self-doubt.
I get ahead by fighting hard
Success is achieved through hard work and perseverance.
The fighting keeps my spirit strong
The struggle helps to maintain a strong will and drive.
If a mirror showed your heart
If someone truly saw the real you.
Pieces would fall from you guard
Your defenses would crumble, revealing vulnerability.
No more hiding in the dark
No more hiding behind a false facade or avoiding self-reflection.
I'd see you for who you are
Seeing someone's true character and intentions.
I could rearrange the parts
A chance to rebuild or repair broken trust.
Take the tarot out the cards
Removing deception and false predictions from the situation.
You were changing faces, switching like a Gemini at night (Switch 'em like a Gemini)
You were deceitful and inconsistent, much like a person born under the zodiac sign Gemini.
You can’t even tell the truth to save your fuckin' life
You are incapable of being honest, even in dire situations.
Would’ve gave my life for you, would’ve paid the price
Despite everything, I would have sacrificed anything for you.
But when wagered a war for you, I never thought I’d die
Given the chance to fight for you, I never expected to suffer significant harm.
Won’t surrender to your arms
I refuse to give in to your manipulations.
No peace, sound the alarm
There is no peace to be found here, only danger.
No more reasons to hold on
There are no longer any justifications for staying in the situation.
Now who’s in your army?
Who do you have left to support you?
Who's gonna shield you from the flame
Who will protect you from the inevitable consequences of your actions?
Now you’re crying sorry
You are trying to apologize, but it's too late.
When can see the bullets in the air
The consequences are already in motion and cannot be avoided.
Wanted you to love me
All I ever wanted was for you to truly care about me.
But you never seemed to care
You were never truly invested in our relationship.
Warfaire (warfaire)
This is a new kind of battle.
All good (it’s all good)
Everything is fine.
Right here, what you wanna do (I ain’t scared)
I'm not afraid to fight back.
Warfaire
Conflict is inevitable.
Hey, whatcha wanna do?
What is your next move?
Whatcha wanna do if a mirror showed your heart?
What would you do if your true intentions were revealed?
Would I see another life?
Would you be a completely different person than I thought?
Would I make the wrong turn right?
Would I have made different choices if I knew the truth?
Don’t wanna be another’s scar
I don't want to be another victim of your lies and manipulation.
But I fell in love with harm
Despite the pain, I couldn't help but fall in love with you.
All your bullshit and your charm
All of your deception and false promises.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW SCOTT, UNKNOWN COMPOSER AUTHOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind