“Boring DJs be very afraid: Gareth Emery is about to kick your arse”. So said Mixmag, when in 2002, they took the bold step of predicting that a virtually unknown 22 year-old would rise to become a major dance music star. However, six years later, it’s likely that even their expectations have been well surpassed. His current tour diary reads like the departure board at London’s Heathrow Airport. Desert island raves in Indonesia and snow-drenched mountains in Vancouver sit alongside major global events like San Francisco’s iconic Love Fest and Holland’s 30,000 strong Trance Energy. The likes of Asian superclub Zouk and Bondi Beach in Sydney complete the picture: in short, you’ll find Gareth at a mouth-watering, hand-picked selection of the planet’s coolest clubs and events, including UK super brands like Ministry of Sound and Gatecrasher.
When not on tour, he’s kept rakishly busy in his Cambridgeshire studio as one of the scene’s most in-demand producers and remixes. If you’re not familiar with anthems like ‘More Than Anything’, ‘Formentera What’ or his seminal classic ‘Mistral’, you’re probably a little out of touch with the modern dance scene, but suffice to say that Tiesto, Oakenfold, Ferry Corsten and Judge Jules are all big fans, and Paul van Dyk and Armin van Buuren liked his work so much that they both commissioned him to work on their respective labels (Vandit / Armind). However, the majority of his music is still released on his Five AM imprint, (described by DJ Mag as ‘the most consistent trance label in the world’), where he’s a co-owner and A&R. Whatever the label, one thing that’s clear is that Gareth Emery stamps his hallmark of quality on a record, people listen.
Always ahead of the game, Gareth was the one of the first leading DJs to embrace podcasting when he started his fortnightly radio show The Gareth Emery Podcast in early 2006. The show become an overnight success, immediately becoming an essential download for savvy dance music fans, and its widely imitated format has since helped to explode the popularity of dance music podcasts. It was also nominated for a Miami WMC IDMA Award for ‘Best Podcast’ along with Roger Sanchez and Pete Tong in 2007.
Although he always ranked well in the annual DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll, he became cynical about the amount of advertising and self-promotion that DJs put into it, and in 2013 asked fans not to vote for him.
Gareth haș worked with a number of collaborators and vocalists, including his sister Roxanne Emery.
On Fire
Gareth Emery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you, you don't let me go
You won't let me go
Running from a past that follows me
My ghosts are somewhere down this road
But you're not scared of ghosts
I don't want to live my whole life
It's always the friendly fires
That hurt the most
Maybe you are what I've waited for
'Cause I, I'm not freaking out
No, I'm not running now
Walking to the edge and now I'm sure
The fall is nothing like before
You're all I want and more
I don't want to give my whole heart
To somebody I know who won't
It's always the friеndly fires
That hurt the most
I'm ready for you now
Takе it higher, give it all
I'm ready for you now
I don't care if we fly or we fall
I'm ready to love you, yeah, I know
I wasn't before but I'm ready for you now
I'm ready for you now now, now
I'm ready for you now, now
(Ooh, oh, yeah, ooh, yeah)
I'm ready for you now i'm ready for you now
I'm ready for you now i'm ready for you now
(Ooh, ooh, oh, ooh)
I'm ready for you now
Take it higher, give it all
I'm ready for you now
I don't care if we fly or we fall
I'm ready to love you, yeah, I know
I wasn't before but I'm ready for you now
I'm ready for you now
The lyrics to "Friendly Fires" by Gareth Emery feat. Sarah De Warren convey a sense of vulnerability and hesitancy in opening up to someone, while also expressing a longing for connection and the willingness to take a leap of faith. The singer admits to holding back and being afraid of getting too close, possibly due to past experiences and the fear of being hurt. However, they find solace and strength in the person they are singing to, acknowledging that this individual is not scared of their flaws or the ghosts of their past.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that it is often the people who are seemingly friendly and comforting who end up causing the most pain. This suggests a cautionary approach to relationships, as the singer has likely been hurt before by those they trusted. Despite this, the singer has found someone who they believe may be worth the risk, indicating a shift in their mindset and a newfound readiness to love and embrace the uncertainty that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I've been holding back from you
I have been keeping myself distant from you
But you, you don't let me go
But you refuse to let me go
You won't let me go
You insist on holding onto me
Running from a past that follows me
Escaping the consequences of my past actions
My ghosts are somewhere down this road
The reminders of my mistakes and regrets lie ahead
But you're not scared of ghosts
But you are unafraid of facing those haunting memories
I don't want to live my whole life
I do not wish to spend my entire life
So afraid to get too close
Always fearing to form deep connections
It's always the friendly fires
It is often the relationships we cherish
That hurt the most
That cause the greatest pain
Maybe you are what I've waited for
Perhaps, you are the one I have been longing for
'Cause I, I'm not freaking out
Because I am no longer panicking
No, I'm not running now
No, I am no longer escaping
Walking to the edge and now I'm sure
Approaching the brink and now I am confident
The fall is nothing like before
The outcome will be different from previous experiences
You're all I want and more
You are everything I desire and even beyond
I don't want to give my whole heart
I do not wish to completely open up my heart
To somebody I know who won't
To someone who I am aware will not reciprocate
It's always the friendly fires
It is often the relationships we cherish
That hurt the most
That cause the greatest pain
I'm ready for you now
I am now prepared for you
Take it higher, give it all
Let's elevate our love and give it every ounce of effort
I don't care if we fly or we fall
I am not concerned whether we succeed or fail
I'm ready to love you, yeah, I know
I am prepared to love you, yes, I understand
I wasn't before but I'm ready for you now
I was not ready previously, but now I am
I'm ready for you now now, now
I am prepared for you at this moment
I'm ready for you now, now
I am prepared for you at this moment
(Ooh, oh, yeah, ooh, yeah)
(Various vocalizations)
I'm ready for you now i'm ready for you now
I am prepared for you now, I am ready for you now
I'm ready for you now i'm ready for you now
I am prepared for you now, I am ready for you now
(Ooh, ooh, oh, ooh)
(Various vocalizations)
I'm ready for you now
I am prepared for you now
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dani Poppitt, Gareth Emery
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EntertainingWaveOfficial
We stand by an open flame
We do not move
We're watching the fire burning
These flames, they burn right through
Could burn us alive
But I know these flames are the only thing
I need to survive
Whatever happened to our love
It was on fire, on fire
Whatever happened to our love
It was on fire, on fire
Whatever happened
@yayangnisfulawati9038
We stand by an open flame
We do not move
We're watching the fire burn blue
These flames they burn right through, could burn us alive
But I know these flames are the only thing
I need to survive
Whatever happened to our love, it was on fire, on fire
Whatever happened to our love, it was on fire, on fire
Whatever happened
Whatever happened
I've fallen to my knees, can't stand the pain
No one hears as I beg for rain
I know the fool we are
So lesson learned
Play with fire, get burn
These flames they burn right through,
Could burn us alive
But I know these flames are the only thing
I need to survive
Whatever happened...
Whatever happened to our love, it was on fire, on fire
Whatever happened to our love, it was on fire, on fire
But we get burn, but we don't care
Desire
Whatever happened
@BitterforSweet2
Love this song so much! Roxanne Emery's voice is amazing! Gives me chills every time!
@richardikin
Roxanne Emery has the perfect voice for this genre of music.
@paulvbarbar9957
I never heard of Roxanne Emery before today, is she famous..?? i heard 'shelter' first.. it has something in it,that i couldn't stop loving her voice.then i listened this.. loved it. she got a voice of an angel..
@bluasterisk
+Paul V Barbar She's Gareth Emery's sister, she's made some songs with him too like Soldier :)
@kingmichaelz
OMG if you haven't yet... please listen to soldier....
@luiguidleon9715
+Paul V Barbar Listen this: Lee Osborne feat. Roxanne Emery - Safe In The Sky (Cold Rush Remix) I liked so much, even more than the original!!
@metemte
+Luigui Dleon yes its cool :)
@paulvbarbar9957
Luigui Dleon
Yup, thanks, loved it.. Any other recommendations.!
@shelbyraglan9
Gareth dropped this in his Global Gathering set in July 2013 and from the first second I heard it I was OBSESSED. SO GOOD!!!
@eam2564
So underrated..