Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
My Fairweather Friend
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
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And no one is around
To open the gates
And I'm waiting for you
My fairweather friend
Absent in the end
Absent in the end
The one thing I can count on
The one thing that I'm sure about
Is that you won't be anywhere around me when I fall
I'd like to think I wouldn't die for you, but you know I would
'Cause that's the fool I am
And that's the rule you bend
Absent in the end
My fairweather friend
The one thing I can count on
Is nothing much at all
The one thing that I'm sure about
Is that you won't be anywhere around me when I fall
I'd like to think I wouldn't die for you, but you know I would
'Cause that's the fool I am
And that's the rule you bend
Absent in the end
My fairweather friend
My fairweather friend
It's a sunny day in heaven
It's a sunny day in heaven
And no one is around
To open the gates
And I'm waiting for you
My fairweather friend
Absent in the end
Absent in the end
The one thing I can count on
Is nothing much at all
The one thing that I'm sure about
Is that you won't be anywhere around me when I fall
I'd like to think I wouldn't die for you, but you know I would
'Cause that's the fool I am
And that's the rule you bend
Absent in the end
Love you only bend
Wounds you'll never mend
My fairweather friend
My fairweather friend
The lyrics of "My Fairweather Friend" by Emilie Autumn convey a sense of disappointment and betrayal towards someone who was supposed to be a friend but proved to be unreliable in times of need. The imagery of a "sunny day in heaven" reinforces the idea that the person being addressed is absent even in a seemingly perfect environment. The repetition of the phrase "absent in the end" emphasizes the disappointment and regret the singer feels towards this person.
The chorus expresses a conflict between the desire to distance oneself from the friend and the emotional attachment that makes it difficult to do so. The line "I'd like to think I wouldn't die for you, but you know I would" reveals the singer's vulnerability and devotion, even though it feels like a weakness. The repeated phrase "my fairweather friend" implies a feeling of unfairness towards the friend's lack of loyalty, while also acknowledging the warmth and fondness that still exists.
Overall, "My Fairweather Friend" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of friendship and the disappointment that can arise when expectations are not met.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a sunny day in heaven
The situation seems bright and perfect, implying that everything is going well.
And no one is around
There is a sense of isolation or abandonment, with no one there to provide support or help.
To open the gates
A metaphorical image representing the possibility of hope or positivity, but there is no one there to make it happen.
And I'm waiting for you
The artist is waiting for someone to arrive and provide comfort or support but they are not there.
My fairweather friend
The person being addressed is a fairweather friend, meaning they are only there in good times and disappear when things get tough.
Absent in the end
Despite any promises of loyalty or support, the fairweather friend is ultimately not there when they are needed most.
The one thing I can count on
The singer has no reliable support or consistent presence in their life.
Is nothing much at all
The artist has nothing or very little to rely on.
Is that you won't be anywhere around me when I fall
The fairweather friend will not be present when the artist is in trouble or vulnerable.
I'd like to think I wouldn't die for you, but you know I would
The artist acknowledges that they have a deep loyalty to the fairweather friend, even though they sometimes feel it is misguided.
'Cause that's the fool I am
The singer is aware that their loyalty or devotion to the fairweather friend is foolish or unwise.
And that's the rule you bend
The fairweather friend manipulates the artist into staying loyal despite their inconsistent behavior.
Love you only bend
The person being addressed only abuses the singer's love and loyalty for their own benefit.
Wounds you'll never mend
The singer has been emotionally hurt or wounded by the fairweather friend and those wounds will never heal.
My fairweather friend
The singer ends by addressing the fairweather friend once again, emphasizing the hurt and betrayal they feel.
Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.