Although Rooney had flirted with enlisting Ric Ocasek to produce, they eventually opted to rehire Keith Forsey, the producer responsible for the the strong batch of demos that had gotten them signed in the first place. Rooney's sunny, self-titled debut arrived in 2003 and its sales spiked considerably the following year when the band appeared on Fox's popular teen drama The O.C. (the first in a long line of bands to do so). Later that year, the concert DVD Spit and Sweat was released, highlighting the group's transformation from teenage musicians into a road-seasoned outfit. Rooney began recording their follow-up later that year with producer Tony Hoffer, but the album was eventually scrapped despite several songs being posted on the band's MySpace page. A second attempt to record their sophomore album was made in fall 2005, this time with Howard Benson in the producer's seat. Although it was slated for a 2006 release, this version too was scrapped as friction between the band and its label increased.
Following a 2006 tour with Kelly Clarkson, Rooney returned to the studio with producer John Fields for a third -- and successful -- attempt at recording their second album. The slightly darker, but no less catchy Calling the World was released in summer 2007 and debuted on the Billboard charts at number 42. By this point, though, the band's relationship with Geffen had suffered too much damage and Rooney eventually left the label's roster in 2009. That same year, the band celebrated their independent status by self-releasing an EP, Wild One, and launching a brief tour. They didn't remain independent for long, though, eventually partnering with Warner Bros. for the release of their third full-length album, the self-produced Eureka, in June 2010. Although bassist Matt Winter played on the record, he left the band's lineup several months before its release, with Brandon Schwartzel climbing aboard in his place. By the end of 2011, support for the record had mostly ceased and Rooney essentially entered into a lengthy hiatus. Schwartzman remained busy with a number of projects, including two solo records and a pair of film scores. Following years of silence regarding his band's fate, Schwartzman revealed in early 2016 that he had completed a new Rooney album entirely on his own. Released in May 2016, Washed Away was the fourth LP under the Rooney banner, and was supported on the road by a completely retooled lineup. In June 2017, the band issued the single "Second Chances" in anticipation of the release of the El Cortez EP, which arrived in July of that year.
Are You Afraid
Rooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, are you afraid of me?
What are you trying to do to me, do to me?
What are you trying to prove to me, to prove to me?
There's something you're not saying but your actions say enough
And I don't know what's really going on
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
Well, are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
I leave a message every night but you don't call me
The only times we ever talk you're in a hurry
I know my reputation doesn't help you sleep at night
Well, lately, baby, I feel I don't know you
Well, are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
Well, are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
I, I thought we were the same but now you play this game
You're young, no fun; and you're making me crazy
Well, are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
Well, are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
Are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
Are you afraid of me?
(Are you... afraid, are you afraid of me?)
The main theme of Rooney's song "Are You Afraid?" is about uncertainty in a relationship, in terms of what the other person feels or thinks about the singer. He is questioning his partner's true intentions and whether they really care about him. The lyrics suggest that the other person is not being honest with their words, but their actions are sending a message to the singer.
The chorus, "Are you afraid of me?", is repeated several times in the song, and it serves as the central question the singer is asking his partner. He feels there is something going on that he can't quite put his finger on, and he's trying to get to the bottom of it. The lines, "I thought we were the same but now you play this game / You're young, no fun; and you're making me crazy" suggests that the singer and his partner might be experiencing a generational gap, where their interests and priorities don't align.
Overall, "Are You Afraid?" is a song that explores insecurity and doubt in a relationship, highlighting the importance of honesty and communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you afraid of me?
The singer is questioning the other person's fear towards them.
Well, are you afraid of me?
The singer continues to question the other person's fear towards them.
What are you trying to do to me, do to me?
The singer is asking what the other person's intentions are towards them.
What are you trying to prove to me, to prove to me?
The artist is asking what the other person is trying to gain by their actions.
There's something you're not saying but your actions say enough
The artist is pointing out that the other person's actions are revealing something they're not vocalizing.
And I don't know what's really going on
The singer is expressing confusion towards the other person's behavior.
I leave a message every night but you don't call me
The singer is pointing out that they are reaching out to the other person, but not receiving any response.
The only times we ever talk you're in a hurry
The artist is pointing out that the other person seems to be avoiding long conversations with them.
I know my reputation doesn't help you sleep at night
The artist is acknowledging that their own reputation may be creating fear in the other person.
Well, lately, baby, I feel I don't know you
The artist is expressing confusion and frustration towards the recent change in the other person's behavior.
I, I thought we were the same but now you play this game
The singer is expressing disappointment and frustration towards the other person's behavior, which is different than what they had expected.
You're young, no fun; and you're making me crazy
The artist is expressing their negative feelings towards the other person's behavior and attitude.
Are you afraid of me?
The singer is once again questioning the other person's fear towards them.
Are you afraid of me?
The singer is once again questioning the other person's fear towards them.
Are you afraid of me?
The singer is once again questioning the other person's fear towards them.
Are you afraid of me?
The artist is once again questioning the other person's fear towards them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bria.
ALWAYS A BOP!! 🦇🎶
mar yam
saw this on tv once more than 10 years ago and never forgot about it
Bigdad
Skylar, wherever you are. This song forever reminds me of us working at Mor Furniture together. Lol! “Rooooooney!”
Bigdad
Skylar, wherever you are my friend this song forever reminds me of us working At Mor .
Philipp
Dear Mr. Schwartzman! I bought the CD! Are you from California? I am Fan of you!
Maybe you can give a Concert in Vienna? I wish you all the best!
From Philipp Puchner
Nice Song!
Mark Hobson
Is this song a hit single from 2008?
Kai Jeziorski
3:05