Enemy is You
Elliott Smith Lyrics


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You got your head turned 'round walking upside down
Through the sunken dream
Through the crushing crowd
You don't know what it means 'cause you're a broken machine
You won't lisp it out
You're dressing up your man
It's all second hand
It's all hindsight
You don't understand
It's just an empty scene
It's still an empty scheme
You want to block it out
But I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
I'm gonna make it go away
When you go walking out in
The rose city
Without a fucking clue
With an attitude
Knowing what you need
What you will not do
The enemy is you
You beat up on yourself 'cause there ain't no one else
Who feels quite as good to put straight through hell
You know yourself well
You know what you're about
Just want to block it out
Well, I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
I'm gonna hide my face away
Block it out




Well, I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
I'm gonna make it go away

Overall Meaning

In this song, Elliott Smith seems to be addressing someone who is struggling with their own internal demons. He describes this person as having their head turned 'round walking upside down through a sunken dream and crushing crowd, highlighting their disorientation and possible feelings of being overwhelmed. They don't know what certain things mean, which Smith attributes to them being a broken machine and unable to articulate their thoughts, or even dress themselves well.


The song's title, "The Enemy Is You," reinforces the idea that the main thing preventing this person from becoming the best version of themselves is their own self-destructive tendencies. They beat up on themselves because they can't find anyone else who feels quite as good to put straight through hell - suggesting that self-flagellation may give them some perverse pleasure. However, in the chorus, Smith resolves to help this person overcome their doubts by making them go away, whether by hiding his face or blocking them out.


Thematically, the song deals with the universal struggle of overcoming self-doubt and destructive thought patterns. Smith points out that the biggest obstacle in doing this is often ourselves. However, even though the song talks about heavy and complex themes, the music is simple, featuring just an acoustic guitar and vocals. This allows the listener to focus more on Smith's lyrics and the emotions he is trying to convey.


Line by Line Meaning

You got your head turned 'round walking upside down
You're disoriented and confused, walking around with your head down in a daze.


Through the sunken dream
You're walking through a dreamlike state, sinking in your own thoughts.


Through the crushing crowd
Despite being surrounded by people, you feel crushed and alone.


You don't know what it means 'cause you're a broken machine
Your emotional state has left you unable to understand what's happening around you, causing you to feel like a broken machine.


You won't lisp it out
You're keeping your emotions inside and refusing to speak about them.


You're dressing up your man
You're trying to put on a brave face and pretend everything is okay, even though it's not.


It's all second hand
The things you're doing and saying are just old habits that you've picked up along the way.


It's all hindsight
Looking back on your life, you realize that you've made many mistakes and missed opportunities.


You don't understand
Despite trying to figure things out, you're struggling to comprehend your feelings and emotions.


It's just an empty scene
Your life feels like a hollow, meaningless existence.


It's still an empty scheme
No matter what you do, you're not able to find meaning in your life.


You want to block it out
You're trying to ignore your feelings and emotions, hoping they'll just go away.


But I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
Despite your efforts to block things out, I have a plan for dealing with your doubts and fears.


I'm gonna make it go away
I have a plan to help you confront your emotions and work through your doubts and fears.


When you go walking out in The rose city
When you're out in the world, trying to find happiness and meaning in your life.


Without a fucking clue
You're lost and confused, with no idea how to find your way in life.


With an attitude
Despite your confusion, you're putting on a facade of confidence and certainty.


Knowing what you need
You know deep down what you need to do to find happiness, even if it's difficult.


What you will not do
Despite knowing what you need to do, you're refusing to take action or make changes in your life.


The enemy is you
Your own thoughts and fears are holding you back and preventing you from finding happiness.


You beat up on yourself 'cause there ain't no one else
You're being hard on yourself because you feel like you're the only one who can truly understand how you're feeling.


Who feels quite as good to put straight through hell
Despite the pain it causes, you feel a sense of satisfaction in putting yourself through difficult situations.


You know yourself well
Despite your confusion and doubts, you have a deep understanding of who you are as a person.


Just want to block it out
Despite your self-awareness, you're still struggling to confront your emotions and push past your fears.


Well, I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
I have a plan to help you overcome your doubts and gain confidence in yourself.


I'm gonna hide my face away
Despite my willingness to help, I'm also struggling with my own emotions and fears.


Block it out
I'm trying to ignore my own feelings, just like you're trying to block out yours.


Well, I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
Despite our mutual struggles, I'm still committed to helping you overcome your doubts and live a fulfilling life.


I'm gonna make it go away
Together, we can work through your doubts and fears and find a way to make them go away for good.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ELLIOTT SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Bond james bond

You got your head turned around
Walking upside down
Through the sunken dream
Through the crushing crowd
You don't know what it means
Because you're a broken machine
You won't lisp it out
You're dressing up your man
It's all second hand
It's all hindsight
You don't understand
It's just an empty scene
It's still an empty scheme
You want to block it out
But I know what I'm going to do
With this big doubt
I'm going to make it go away
When you go walking out in
The rose city
Without a fucking clue
With an attitude
Knowing what you need
What you will not do
The enemy is you
You beat up on yourself
Because there ain't no one else
Who feels quite as good
To put straight through hell
You know yourself well
You know what you're about
Just want to block it out
Well, I know what I'm going to do
With this big doubt
I'm going to hide my face away
Block it out
Well, I know what I'm going to do
With this big doubt
I'm going to make it go away



Winter Beach

Some racehorses are staying in a stable. One of them starts to boast about his track record. “In the last 15 races, I’ve won eight of them!”

Another horse breaks in: “Well in the last 27 races, I’ve won 19!”

“Oh that’s good, but in the last 36 races, I’ve won 28!” says another.

At this point, the horses notice a greyhound, who has been sitting there listening. “I don’t mean to boast,” says the greyhound, “but in my last 90 races, I’ve won 88 of them!”

The horses are clearly amazed. “Wow!” says one, after a hushed silence. “A talking dog!”



All comments from YouTube:

Chris Mosher

, I'm embarrassed that I've never heard this song before just listen to it 10 times in a row I can't stop listening to it it's maddening

Bond james bond

You got your head turned around
Walking upside down
Through the sunken dream
Through the crushing crowd
You don't know what it means
Because you're a broken machine
You won't lisp it out
You're dressing up your man
It's all second hand
It's all hindsight
You don't understand
It's just an empty scene
It's still an empty scheme
You want to block it out
But I know what I'm going to do
With this big doubt
I'm going to make it go away
When you go walking out in
The rose city
Without a fucking clue
With an attitude
Knowing what you need
What you will not do
The enemy is you
You beat up on yourself
Because there ain't no one else
Who feels quite as good
To put straight through hell
You know yourself well
You know what you're about
Just want to block it out
Well, I know what I'm going to do
With this big doubt
I'm going to hide my face away
Block it out
Well, I know what I'm going to do
With this big doubt
I'm going to make it go away

G M

Thank you, it really helps to understand some of the blurry things he said :)

Miriam S.

thanks

Iwan Lloyd Roberts

Bond james bond. Is it not “you only spit out” not “you won’t lisp it out”?

Brad Field

The line is not “you won’t lisp it out”, it’s “you only spit out”.

batboy

You beat up on yourself
Because there ain't no one else
Who feels quite as good
To put straight through hell

sounds like a buk poem

Sound8Vision

This chord progression though! A life saver These lyrics! Pure experiential truth!

Carlos Heredia Vargas

Elliot will live forever throught his music

Mija Dreams

@Static Folk :)

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