He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
My Enemy
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You came and snuffed out the flame
You thought you finished me off
But you just made me strong
Each time you dealt me a blow
Each time you brought me so low
I found something inside to help me along
How I need my enemy
Oh my enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
Did I slight you in some little way
Or does hate help you get through the day?
One way or another, I'm happy your aim was so true
If the demons in you hadn't jarred
I would never have struggled so hard
The only thing now eating me is, what's eating you?
My enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
Oh my enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
My enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
Oh my enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
Now we're just two old men on the brink
Each waiting for the other to blink
If I should lose you, I'd be left with nothing but fate
As I see your life fall apart
I should smile but I don't have the heart
At the end of the day, it's still too much effort to hate
My enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
Oh my enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
The song "My Enemy" by Richard Thompson tells a story of two enemies who continue to fight each other's battles. The singer is not intimidated by the enemy's attempts to bring him down but rather, each time the enemy tries to attack, the singer finds something inside him to help him along. The chorus, "My enemy, enemy, How I need my enemy, Oh my enemy, enemy, How I need my enemy," shows that the singer acknowledges the role of his enemy in his growth and development, and without the enemy, he might not have become as strong as he is now.
The second verse talks about how the singer might have slighted the enemy in some way or if hate helps the enemy get through the day. The singer is grateful that the enemy's actions helped him struggle harder, and he wonders what could be eating up his enemy. In the bridge, the singer and the enemy are now two old men, waiting for the other to blink. Although the singer would be left with nothing but fate if he lost, he couldn't smile at the end of the day, as it's too much effort to hate. The song ends with the chorus "My enemy, enemy, How I need my enemy, Oh my enemy, enemy, How I need my enemy," showing that the singer needs his enemy in his life.
Overall, the song portrays the theme of how enemies can help us grow and develop. Without our enemies, we might not push ourselves as much as we can, and we need our enemies to bring out the best in us, despite the pain they cause.
Line by Line Meaning
When you thought I was winning the game
At a point when you perceived I was succeeding
You came and snuffed out the flame
You intervened and prevented my success
You thought you finished me off
You believed you had destroyed me
But you just made me strong
In fact, you strengthened me instead
Each time you dealt me a blow
With every attack you inflicted on me
Each time you brought me so low
Each time you made me feel so defeated
I found something inside to help me along
I discovered resilience or strength within myself
Did I slight you in some little way
Is there some minor offense I may have caused you
Or does hate help you get through the day?
Or possibly you rely on anger to cope with life
One way or another, I'm happy your aim was so true
Either way, I appreciate your accuracy in your actions against me
If the demons in you hadn't jarred
If the unrest inside of you had not influenced you
I would never have struggled so hard
I wouldn't have encountered such tough times
The only thing now eating me is, what's eating you?
The only thing that troubles me now is what troubles you
Now we're just two old men on the brink
We are now simply two elderly men at the edge
Each waiting for the other to blink
Both of us waiting for the other to make a move first
If I should lose you, I'd be left with nothing but fate
If you weren't in my life, all that would be left is destiny
As I see your life fall apart
As I observe your life deteriorating
I should smile but I don't have the heart
I should feel pleased but I don't have it in me to do so
At the end of the day, it's still too much effort to hate
Ultimately, hating you requires too much energy
My enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
I require you as my opponent or adversary
Oh my enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
I need you to challenge me
My enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
My adversary is necessary for me
Oh my enemy, enemy
How I need my enemy
I rely on my opponent to push me to be better
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mando3b
One of the most brilliant songs RT ever wrote. And that is saying something. He writes about subjects no one else ever thinks about. And on top of that, the guitar work is spectacular . . .
Arnold Nordwall
I just saw Richard in Santa Cruz, Ca. He played this song and I was stunned. It's got to be one of his best. The inferences are so deep.
good 'un
Don't let yourself be defined by your enemy!
"When you thought I was winning the game/ you came and snuffed out the flame/ you thought you finished me off/ but you just made me strong....each time you dealt me a blow/ each time you brought me so low/ I found something inside to help me along....
( chorus)...my enemy, enemy/ how I need my enemy/ oh my enemy, enemy/ how I need my enemy....
Did I slight you in some little way/ or does hate help you get through your day?/ one way or another, I'm happy your aim was so true/ if the demons in you hadn't jarred, I would never have struggled so hard/ the only thing now eating me, is what's eating you?....
( chorus)
Now we're just two old men on the brink/ each waiting for the other to blink/ if I should lose you, I'd be left with nothing but fate/ as I see your life fall apart, I should smile but I don't have the heart/ at the end of the day, its still too much effort to hate..... ( chorus)".
mingkee27
This is a good one. Trust me.
Ric Ellingson
Excellent