They released their debut album Fenech-Soler on September 27th 2010 on B-Unique. It's an album that begins with a blast, its opener "Battlefields" launching with a heavenly chorus of voices, "Golden Sun" plays with rhythms that summon up the sultriness of desert heat; "The Great Unknown" takes a distant echo on French House in new, dizzying directions. And of course "Stop And Stare" play-listed at Radio 1 in May 2010, and reached Top 10 of the Dance and Indie singles chart.
"Lies" is their most famous song so far.
Contender
Fenech-Soler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody has to dream
Well you fight like a fighter, you look like no other
Take what you want, you think you'll ride with the demons
As deadly as the seven sins
You think that you're magic, but I'm no believer
A broken heart you can never surrender
A thousand kisses, return to sender
Your words, they come to no good intentions
You preach every word you say
Your sticks and your stones break more than my bones
You say you love me, then you hate me, then you're hot then cold
Head to toe in diamonds, you're not undersold
You think that you're magic, but I'm no believer
And you fight like a little contender
A broken heart you can never surrender
A thousand kisses, return to sender
I want to help and I want to protect ya
But you got your spies telling lies
Where do you go?
You change colors like a tiger in the snow
And you fight like a little contender
A broken heart you can never surrender
A thousand kisses, return to sender
I want to love you girl, but somehow I can't let you in
Disguised in all your makeup like the seven sins
You've got your magic, but I'm no believer
And you fight like a little contender
A broken heart you can never surrender
A thousand kisses, return to sender
I want to help and I want to protect ya
But you got your spies telling lies
Where do you go?
You change colors like a tiger in the snow
The song "Contender" by Fenech-Soler is a melancholic reflection on a toxic relationship. The singer is torn between wanting to love and help their partner, but also feeling trapped and suffocated by their inconsistency and manipulative behavior. The first verse sets up the metaphor of the eagle as a symbol of freedom, and the dream of being able to soar without being weighed down by negativity. However, the partner is portrayed as a fighter, someone who is always looking for conflict and seeking to dominate. The line "You think that you're magic, but I'm no believer" suggests that the singer is beginning to see through the facade and realize that their partner is not the person they thought they were.
The chorus reiterates the theme of the partner being a "little contender," not willing to give up even when it's obvious that they're fighting a losing battle. They're also described as having a "broken heart" that they can never surrender, indicating that they're too proud or too wounded to admit defeat. The line "A thousand kisses, return to sender" is a play on the common phrase "Return to sender" that one might write on a letter or package. Here, it suggests that the partner's attempts to be affectionate or loving are ultimately rejected by the singer.
The second verse adds more detail to the partner's negative behavior, describing their words as having "no good intentions" and their actions as being like "sticks and stones" that cause harm. The partner is also portrayed as being emotionally unstable, going from loving to hating to being indecisive. The line "Head to toe in diamonds, you're not undersold" suggests that the partner uses material wealth as a way of masking their inner turmoil or insecurity.
The bridge repeats the desire to help and protect the partner, but also acknowledges that there are outside forces (the spies telling lies) that make it difficult to do so. The final lines "You change colors like a tiger in the snow" may be a reference to the phrase "a leopard can't change its spots," implying that the partner is incapable of changing their ways.
Overall, "Contender" is a poignant portrayal of a rocky relationship where one person is trying to hold on while the other is pushing away.
Line by Line Meaning
You want to fly on the wings of an eagle
You aspire to soar and reach great heights, just like an eagle.
Everybody has to dream
It's natural for everyone to have dreams and aspirations to pursue.
Well you fight like a fighter, you look like no other
You have a distinct way of fighting, and your appearance is unique compared to others.
Take what you want, you think you'll ride with the demons
You believe that by taking what you desire, you can thrive alongside the devil and wickedness.
As deadly as the seven sins
Your ways and actions are destructive, akin to the seven deadly sins.
You think that you're magic, but I'm no believer
You may consider yourself to have impressive powers, but I'm not convinced.
And you fight like a little contender
Despite your bravado, you fight like an underdog in the ring.
A broken heart you can never surrender
You cannot let go of past heartbreaks, even though they've left you shattered.
A thousand kisses, return to sender
Your romantic gestures and actions are not reciprocated, and they are returned to you without effect.
Your words, they come to no good intentions
Your words are never intended for good or positive motives.
You preach every word you say
You try to impose your beliefs on others and force your opinions on them.
Your sticks and your stones break more than my bones
Your verbal and physical attacks hurt me more emotionally than they do physically.
You say you love me, then you hate me, then you're hot then cold
Your feelings towards me are inconsistent and never stable.
Head to toe in diamonds, you're not undersold
You're decked out in complete luxury and expensive jewels, without compromising on quality.
I want to help and I want to protect ya
I care for you and want to assist and safeguard you.
But you got your spies telling lies
You've got people close to you who are deceitful and spread falsehoods.
Where do you go?
I'm unsure of where you disappear to and what you're doing when you're not around.
You change colors like a tiger in the snow
You have a proclivity for shifting your personality and traits frequently, just like a tiger in snowy landscapes.
I want to love you girl, but somehow I can't let you in
I want to love and trust you, but I have reservations and cannot let my guard down.
Disguised in all your makeup like the seven sins
You deceive and mask yourself in layers of makeup, similar to the seven deadly sins.
You've got your magic, but I'm no believer
Despite your mystical persona, I am not convinced of your true intentions or capabilities.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRISPIN HUNT, FENECH SOLER, ANDREW ROBERT LINDSAY, ROSS DUFFY, BENJAMIN DUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil J
it drives me mad that this stuff was taken off spotify. how am i meant to listen to it now! it is utterly brilliant!
Adam Misosky
dont ask why they are underrated. just enjoy them while they still are.
Kinoko Okura
I heard this song in forever 21 yesterday and I fell in love with it.
Drebin
Genial grupo,necesita mas reconocimiento!
khmer wolf
Can't believe their tunes aren't getting more views!
sunshineloveshappy
I heard this song in Mac Cosmetics in the evening and I fell in love with it.
Kalya W
I did a dance drama to this, its fair to say my whole drama class has listened to this atleast onceXD
Zoie Nixon
So fucking underrated.. Song is so amazing.
gururwho
FUCKIN AMAZING SONG!
Joey
whoever disliked this must be deaf and upset that they cant listen to it.