Prior to their formation, David Jones, the main songwriter in Enemy You, recorded several releases with his band After School Special on Mutant Pop Records. After AFS broke up, Enemy You was formed and began rehearsing together. After Enemy You began writing tunes together as a band it wasn’t long before they received interest from Ben Weasel and his fledgling label, Panic Button Records. This led to their debut appearance on the four-way split dubbed Four On The Floor alongside Screeching Weasel, Teen Idols, and Moral Crux. This was followed by their debut album Where No One Knows My Name.
Based on the albums success the band was asked to open for a number of notable punk bands including, Bouncing Souls, Lagwagon, Bad Religion, TSOL, Mad Caddies, and NOFX.
Before releasing their second full-length CD Stories Never Told, the band decided to release an 80's-themed seven inch EP that came out on Geykido Comet Records.
Enemy You has since signed with Nitro Records and will be in the studio for their third LP by 2007.
Failing
Enemy You Lyrics
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I don't make a sound
I bite my lip to control this feeling
my head is spinning around
it's fighting, prevailing
I'm failing now
in your gaze I see a fire
I close my eyes
to shut off your image
but I'm still a slave
I'm trying, travailing
I'm failing now
can't beat this thing I deplore
what am I fighting this for?
I'm trailing, I'm failing now
governing my every action
it is my only true function
I'm failing, I'm failing now
The song "Failing" by Enemy You speaks of the emotional struggle and inner turmoil that the singer is experiencing, as they attempt to restrain their feelings and maintain control over their thoughts. The lyrics offer an introspective insight into the singer's thoughts, as they navigate through a situation where they are surrounded by others, such as on a Friday night out. The singer, however, is not participating in the festivities, but instead is quietly observing and trying to control the conflicting feelings that are building within them.
The opening lines convey the singer's feeling of isolation and detachment from the world around them. They are unable to fully engage with their surroundings, as their internal struggle is taking over their thoughts. Despite their efforts to maintain control, they are gradually succumbing to their emotions, and are failing to keep them in check. The line "it's fighting, prevailing, I'm failing now" is particularly poignant, demonstrating that the singer has lost the battle, and their emotions are steadily taking over.
The middle part of the song suggests that the singer is fixated on someone, who seems to hold some kind of power over them. They are unable to ignore this person, and even when they try to look away or close their eyes, their image remains etched in their mind. The line "I'm trying, travailing, I'm failing now" demonstrates that the singer is battling against their feelings, but ultimately failing to overcome them.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt exploration of the struggle that many people face when trying to control their emotions. It offers a poignant and emotive depiction of the inner turmoil that can arise when trying to restrain one's feelings, and the ultimate futility of such endeavors.
Line by Line Meaning
Friday night, everyone's moving
The night is active and full of energy as people are out and about.
I don't make a sound
The singer is quiet and withdrawn, not participating in the excitement around them.
I bite my lip to control this feeling
The singer is trying to suppress their emotions by physically holding them in.
my head is spinning around
The artist's thoughts are chaotic and overwhelming, causing confusion.
it's fighting, prevailing
The artist is in a constant struggle to overcome their emotions, but they are not succeeding.
I'm failing now
The singer acknowledges that they are losing the battle against their emotions.
in your gaze I see a fire
When looking at the other person, the singer sees passion and intensity.
I try to look away
The artist attempts to avoid the other person's gaze to prevent themselves from being affected.
I close my eyes
The artist tries to visualize something else to distract themselves from the other person.
to shut off your image
The artist wants to erase the other person's presence from their mind.
but I'm still a slave
Despite their efforts, the singer is still controlled by their emotions towards the other person.
I'm trying, travailing
The artist is making an effort to fight their emotions, but it's a difficult task.
I'm failing now
The singer admits that their efforts to suppress their emotions are unsuccessful.
can't beat this thing I deplore
The singer dislikes their emotional attachment towards the other person but can't shake it off.
what am I fighting this for?
The singer questions the purpose of fighting their emotions since they can't seem to overcome them.
I'm trailing, I'm failing now
The artist is behind in the struggle against their emotions and losing the fight.
governing my every action
The artist's emotions control their behavior and decision-making.
it is my only true function
The singer's only purpose right now is to deal with their emotions towards the other person.
I'm failing, I'm failing now
The singer is acknowledging their inability to overcome their emotions and is still struggling with them.
Contributed by Mia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.