Friendly Fire
Pet Shop Boys & BBC Concert Orchestra Lyrics
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Boys to the left of me girls to the right of me neither husband nor wife
Though the days are filled with pain there is no one who'll explain why
I'm coming under friendly fire
Shot in the fatal cause of rock-and-roll but there's nothing, really nothing, to say
Why I endure under force majeure slander without shame or tact
I who studied make-up, mime and Buddha who taught two generations to react
In spite of coming under friendly fire shot in the fatal
Cause of rock-and-roll I have nothing, really nothing, to deny
When I look back my eyes are filled with tears
Danger to mascara, applause to my peers
When fame sustained me and arenas acclaimed me
I floated through life in a cloud of love and insanity and pagan profanity
Before a worshiping crowd Now my status is ill-defined
As an icon I'm inclined to be coming under friendly fire
Shot in the fatal cause of rock-and-roll
But whatever dull or clever points they've scored
I have never, oh no never, been ignored
The Pet Shop Boys song "Friendly Fire" is an introspective reflection on the life of a rockstar. The lyrics describe the feeling of being constantly under attack, from critics, the media, and even fans. The opening lines, "An inspirational tirade against me, how to explain my life?" suggest that the singer is frustrated by the constant scrutiny and judgement that comes with fame.
The song goes on to describe the loneliness that comes with the lifestyle of a rockstar. The line "Boys to the left of me girls to the right of me neither husband nor wife" suggests that the singer is isolated and unable to form meaningful relationships because of their fame. Despite the pain and isolation, the singer is unable to explain why they continue to pursue their passion for music.
The chorus of the song, "I'm coming under friendly fire, shot in the fatal cause of rock-and-roll but there's nothing, really nothing, to say" suggests that despite the challenges, the singer has no regrets about their chosen path. The song is a candid reflection on the highs and lows of fame, and the toll that it takes on those who pursue it.
Line by Line Meaning
An inspirational tirade against me
Someone is criticizing and inspiring me to take action.
Boys to the left of me girls to the right of me neither husband nor wife
I'm surrounded by people with different genders, but I don't have a romantic partner.
Though the days are filled with pain there is no one who'll explain why
I'm going through a tough time, but no one is there to help me understand why.
I'm coming under friendly fire
I'm being criticized by people who claim to be my friends.
Shot in the fatal cause of rock-and-roll but there's nothing, really nothing, to say
My career in the music industry is taking a toll on me, but there's nothing I can do or say about it.
Why I endure under force majeure slander without shame or tact
I'm coping with malicious criticism that's beyond my control and lacks basic decency.
I who studied make-up, mime and Buddha who taught two generations to react
I'm an artist who uses various forms of expression, including makeup, mime, and Buddhist teachings, to inspire generations.
About me the critics lied I ignored them and survived
Critics spread false rumors about me, but I chose to ignore them and stay strong.
In spite of coming under friendly fire shot in the fatal cause of rock-and-roll I have nothing, really nothing, to deny
Even though people I considered friends have betrayed me, and the music industry has taken a toll on me, there's nothing I've done wrong.
When I look back my eyes are filled with tears
I get emotional when I reflect on my past experiences.
Danger to mascara, applause to my peers
In the past, my career brought both risks and rewards.
When fame sustained me and arenas acclaimed me I floated through life in a cloud of love and insanity and pagan profanity
During the peak of my fame, I felt like I was living in a surreal and crazy world filled with love and non-traditional beliefs.
Before a worshiping crowd Now my status is ill-defined
I used to perform for an adoring audience, but now my position in the industry is uncertain.
As an icon I'm inclined to be coming under friendly fire
Being an icon in the industry makes me more susceptible to criticism from supposed friends.
But whatever dull or clever points they've scored I have never, oh no never, been ignored
Despite any criticism, no one has been able to silence me or make me give up on my career.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LOWE, NEIL TENNANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind