Sneaky Feelings were unusual among Dunedin Sound bands in that all four members of the band sang and several of the members wrote material. The jangle sound of the guitars and layered vocals drew their influence from the music of the Byrds and the Beatles, and comparisons can be made with some of California's Paisley Underground bands.
The band's name comes from a song by Elvis Costello, "Sneaky Feelings", which is on his debut album My Aim Is True (1977).
Not to take sides
Sneaky Feelings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You′re happy whenever you are crude
But I'm never ever sure
Whether you mean to be that way
It′s just that we've grown so far away from each other
Time was when people thought we were brothers, ahhhh
You're so strong
You overcome me
Always try to defend you
Always try
Not to take sides
It′s so hard to speak without lying
But we knew somеone was hiding
But I'm never еver sure
Whether it′s you or if it's me
Maybe it always was the same
Maybe nothing′s really changed
But I'm scared inside I′m dying
And no one else is crying me for, ohhh
You're so strong
You overcome me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try
Not to take sides
You′re so strong
You overcome me
With your words I wonder if you′re hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try
Not to take sides
The lyrics of Sneaky Feelings's song Not To Take Sides speak to the complexity of navigating a relationship that has been strained by distance and different perspectives. The singer is grappling with the behavior of a friend who has become increasingly rude and crude, leaving the singer unsure if the behavior is intentional or not. However, the bond between the two is still present, though it has been tested by time and distance. The singer is straddling the line between being true to their own feelings and trying to remain neutral in a situation that has become contentious. The line "But I'm scared inside I'm dying, and no one else is crying me for" speaks to the anxiety and fear that one can experience when they feel isolated and alone within a friendship or relationship.
The lyrics effectively convey the internal struggle of trying to maintain a relationship that has changed over time. The tone is mournful and reflective, with a sense of sadness underlying the lyrics. The use of repetition in phrases like "Always try to defend you, always try not to take sides" places emphasis on the internal conflict that the singer is experiencing, and the repetition of the line "You're so strong, you overcome me with your words I wonder if you're hiding" speaks to the power dynamic between the two friends.
Line by Line Meaning
You always want to be so rude
You have a tendency to behave in a discourteous manner.
You're happy whenever you are crude
Being impolite brings you joy and satisfaction.
But I'm never ever sure
Whether you mean to be that way
I can't always tell whether your behavior is intentional or not.
It's just that we've grown so far away from each other
Time was when people thought we were brothers, ahhhh
We used to be close, but now it seems like we're worlds apart. We were once thought to be like family.
You're so strong
You overcome me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Your assertiveness has a powerful impact on me, and I can't help but wonder if there's something you're keeping hidden.
Always try to defend you
Always try
Not to take sides
Even though it's difficult to remain impartial, I do my best to support you without getting involved in any conflicts or disagreements.
It's so hard to speak without lying
But we knew someone was hiding
Truth-telling is a challenge, especially when we both know there's something being concealed.
But I'm never ever sure
Whether it's you or if it's me
Maybe it always was the same
Maybe nothing's really changed
I can't determine whether the problem lies with you or myself, and I wonder if things have always been this way or if nothing has truly changed with time.
But I'm scared inside I'm dying
And no one else is crying me for, ohhh
I feel trapped and alone, struggling with my emotions without anyone to comfort me.
Writer(s): Matthew Bannister, Martin John Durrant
Contributed by Aria O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jack Anderton
Not 100% but I think the lyrics are:
You always want to be so cool
Hurt me over and over
But I'm never ever sure
When you mean to be that way
It's just that we've gone so far away
From each other
Time was when people thought we were brothers
You're so strong you overpower me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try not to take sides
It's so hard to speak without crying
Thought we knew someone was hiding
But I'm never ever sure
Whether it's you or if it's me
Maybe it always was the same
Maybe have things really changed?
But I'm scared inside, I'm dying
And no-one else is trying anymore
You're so strong you overpower me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try not to take sides
You're so strong you overpower me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try not to take sides
Josse Ford
This is the awesome music I grew up, attending university in Dunedin. David hooe you are still rocking it :-)
2K's
i remember my elder sister blasting these guys...totally o for awesome!!!
Shawn Hardy
Thanks so much for posting this! I've weepy - wishing I was back in Dunedin.
Jack Anderton
Not 100% but I think the lyrics are:
You always want to be so cool
Hurt me over and over
But I'm never ever sure
When you mean to be that way
It's just that we've gone so far away
From each other
Time was when people thought we were brothers
You're so strong you overpower me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try not to take sides
It's so hard to speak without crying
Thought we knew someone was hiding
But I'm never ever sure
Whether it's you or if it's me
Maybe it always was the same
Maybe have things really changed?
But I'm scared inside, I'm dying
And no-one else is trying anymore
You're so strong you overpower me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try not to take sides
You're so strong you overpower me
With your words I wonder if you're hiding
Always try to defend you
Always try not to take sides
Drive!Sucker
+Jack Anderton 'You always want to be so rude, you hurt me whenever you're crude' is how I've always heard the first lines
Inger Mortensen
I'd agree with goldbug. Hopefully they play it tomorrow night and I'll lip read to be sure!
Laurie Murray
Hurt me whenever you're cruel....whether you mean to be..... maybe nothing's really changed.... without lying ... crying anymore.... perhaps? In the top ten Kiwi songs ever, I reckon. Love it! I saw them in Hamilton last week. So underrated.
First Name
4th line starts with whether not when
First Name
And its "its so hard to speak without lying" I think
PLSCHWRT
That rec. (What A Nice...) was a good one. Discovered the Doublehappys!