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 wasnāt 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.
Youth Anthems
Enemy You Lyrics
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The lyrics of Enemy You's song Youth Anthems touch upon the theme of disillusionment amidst the promises, threats, and posturing that define the anthems of youth. The song speaks about how the youth are being misled by charismatic spokespersons who bombard them with catchy slogans but fail to deliver the change they promise. The lyrics suggest that the youth are being sedated with empty words of rage and clenched fists, causing them to become slow to learn but quick to arms.
The first verse of the song talks about how the singer tunes into a spokesman for the age, hinting at the prevalence of mass media and how it can be used to manipulate the youth. The singer also talks about feeling sedation through clenched fists and words of rage, suggesting that the violent nature of the youth anthems of the time is a way to keep the youth agitated but inactive. The second verse delivers a message that the youth are not the future but rather victims of a system that takes advantage of their naivety. The lyrics highlight the discrepancy between the promises made by the establishment and the reality faced by the youth who mouth along with shallow slogans.
Overall, Youth Anthems is a song that highlights the shortcomings of modern youth activism by exposing the reliance on empty slogans and how it takes advantage of the youth's idealism.
Line by Line Meaning
Tuning in their frequency I hear a spokesman for our age
Listening closely, I hear someone speaking on behalf of our generation
But can you feel sedation through clenched fists and words of rage
Despite their apparent anger and aggression, there is a sense of complacency amongst some people
Words and promises, threats and posturing
People talk a lot, but don't always back it up with action
Youth anthems won't change a thing
Songs and chants about rebellion and revolution won't have any real impact
Youth anthems, but not for you and me
These anthems might inspire some people, but they won't necessarily bring about change for everyone
No one seems to hear the words but I watch them mouth along
Many people seem to be going along with the ideas expressed in these youth anthems, even if they aren't really paying attention or taking them seriously
The youth are not the future but it is what they become
Although young people may not be the solution to all of society's problems, they will eventually grow up to be the leaders and decision-makers of the future
Slow to learn, quick to arms
People are often resistant to change and slow to understand new ideas, but they are quick to resort to violence and aggression
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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