After their initial formation in 2008, their debut album "Passive Me, Aggressive You" was released on the "Somewhat Damaged" label during September 2010. The single "Young Blood" debuted at number one on the New Zealand chart - the first New Zealand artist to do so in three years. On 6 December 2010, the BBC announced that The Naked and Famous had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.
Their second album, 2013's In Rolling Waves, reached the top 5 on the New Zealand Albums chart, and top 15 on the Australian Albums and US Billboard Top Alternative Albums charts. Their following album, Simple Forms, was Xayalith and Powers' first release as a two-piece. Their fourth album, Recover, was released in 2020, and peaked at 19 on RMNZ's New Zealand Artist Albums chart.
Frayed
The Naked and Famous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frayed, all over the place
Thought it was good, everything where it should
Be, around me
All that depends, on where it ends
It ends,
Teacher pretend or maybe not comprehend
Cut it up
It starts, you say its useless
Just stick on the favours with different uses
Here comes the sun, a lore excuses
Its easier to stay and no one refuses.
Cut it up
It starts, you say its useless
Just stick on the favours with different uses
Here comes the sun, more excuses
Where do you think I got these bruises. (Repeat)
It's better to stay
Make it end
Help me sink into this skin
I've got things to feel, to reimburse yeah
I'm sick I'm alone and it's getting worse.
The lyrics of The Naked and Famous's song "Frayed" describe the feeling of being overwhelmed with life's expectations and losing control. The singer feels like their dreams are coming apart and they are frayed all over the place. They thought everything was good and in place, but things are starting to fall apart. They highlight that everything depends on where it ends, as sometimes it is necessary to cut things off and start over again. The lyrics also suggest frustration with those who seem not to understand - "Teacher pretend or maybe not comprehend".
The song talks about procrastination, indicating that the singer has been wasting too much time, and could be the reason behind the chaos in their life. Interestingly, the singer confesses to having tainted their talent, which is a reflection of self-doubt in their own abilities. The lines "Here comes the sun, more excuses. Where do you think I got these bruises" imply that the singer is making excuses for something, maybe avoiding confronting the situation which caused the bruises. It could also be a way of asking people to forgive their flaws as they are struggling.
In the chorus, the song suggests that it's easier not to make any changes, to cut things up, and make new uses of the pieces. It indicates that it's easier to stay in the same place and not move on. The bridge of the song urges someone to help the singer find peace and that they are spiraling out of control, with their mind and emotions.
Overall, the song is a reflection of a person struggling with their dreams, procrastination, and feeling frayed with life in general. It encourages people to take hold of their lives before things get worse.
Line by Line Meaning
All of my dreams, tear at the seams
My aspirations are falling apart and disintegrating.
Frayed, all over the place
Everything is coming apart and disorganized.
Thought it was good, everything where it should, Be, around me
I believed everything was perfect and where it should be, but I was wrong.
All that depends, on where it ends
Everything is determined by how it finishes in the end.
It ends,
Everything comes to an end.
Teacher pretend or maybe not comprehend
The teacher pretended to understand or perhaps didn't comprehend at all.
Procrastination baby, I had it tainted lately
Lately, procrastination has been holding me back and tainting my actions.
Cut it up, It starts, you say its useless
Starting over seems pointless to you, but I need to cut ties and move on.
Just stick on the favours with different uses
Just hold onto items with practical uses instead of sentimental value.
Here comes the sun, more excuses
I keep finding more and more excuses to avoid confronting my problems.
Its easier to stay and no one refuses.
It's easier to avoid the truth and remain in denial than to face reality.
Where do you think I got these bruises.
These bruises are the result of the emotional pain I've been suffering.
It's better to stay
Staying in a state of denial may seem better, but it's not a solution.
Make it end
I need to bring an end to the situation.
Help me sink into this skin
I need to fully accept and embrace who I am.
I've got things to feel, to reimburse yeah
I have emotions that need to be processed and dealt with.
I'm sick I'm alone and it's getting worse.
I'm not well and I'm becoming increasingly isolated and unhappy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON SHORT, ALISA XAYALITH, THOM POWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind