Chandra and Leigh were born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Silverlake, California in the late 1990s, where they were founding members of and backup singers for local band Slydell. They also began writing their own music and performing with other musicians, including Orphan Train, Joe Firstman, Fairchild, and Rilo Kiley and their singer Jenny Lewis.
In 2006 the Watson Twins released their debut EP, Southern Manners, almost simultaneously with Rabbit Fur Coat, their collaboration under the name Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins. The Watson Twins had previously been known as Black Swan before changing their name to accompany their album with Jenny Lewis.
Friend and Foe
The Watson Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paints a picture of my soul
And fading time
Hardly noticed
Hardly recognized that my sight
Had gone
Than to finally see all of this eye to eye
Oh its the truth
It's more than I want to know
Oh where are these
Days going I can't say
But I have to stay
There's no other place for now
Whether I am here or I'm down in doubt
Cause no one knows my name
They can hardly see my face
No one can hear me when I sing
Friend and foe
Together, forever we'll be
Friend and foe
The place that drags me down will be
Friend and foe and when I look up in the sky
And when I look up in the sky
The birds they know, ooh
Spread your wings
Now you know
I can hear you sing, ooh
As you go (x3)
The Watson Twins's song "Friend and Foe" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the turmoil and uncertainty that can consume a person's life. The verse "All this terror in my life / Paints a picture of my soul / And fading time" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer reflects on the challenges and hardships that have shaped who they are. The line "Hardly noticed / Hardly recognized that my sight / Had gone" speaks to the idea that sometimes we are so consumed by our struggles that we lose sight of what's important or fail to see our own potential.
The chorus "Friend and foe / Together, forever we'll be / Friend and foe" is a powerful statement about the duality of human relationships and the fact that the people we love can also hurt us the most. The line "The place that drags me down will be / Friend and foe" suggests that the singer is grappling with a sense of displacement or alienation, and that even the things they once relied on to give them comfort have become sources of pain. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer urging the listener to "Spread your wings / Now you know / I can hear you sing," a reminder that even in the midst of struggles, there is still beauty to be found in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
All this terror in my life
I am going through a lot of troubling situations and circumstances
Paints a picture of my soul
It shows a glimpse of my inner life and mental state
And fading time
Everything is moving on and changing, and I am trying to keep up
Hardly noticed
I didn't realize
Hardly recognized that my sight
I was unaware that I was losing my perception and insight
Had gone
Until it was too late and my vision was clouded
Because I would rather hear a lie
I would prefer a falsehood or deception
Than to finally see all of this eye to eye
Than to face the harsh truth and reality of my situation
Oh it's the truth
Although it might be difficult to accept
It's more than I want to know
I am not sure I can handle all of the facts and details
Oh where are these
I don't know where
Days going I can't say
I cannot predict or control what will happen in the future
But I have to stay
Nevertheless, I need to keep going and persevere
There's no other place for now
I am stuck in my present situation
Whether I am here or I'm down in doubt
Even if I feel uncertain or insecure
Cause no one knows my name
I don't feel recognized or valued
They can hardly see my face
I feel invisible and overlooked
No one can hear me when I sing
My talents and emotions are not appreciated or acknowledged
Friend and foe
Both allies and adversaries
Together, forever we'll be
We will always be intertwined and connected
The place that drags me down will be
The source of my struggles and difficulties
And when I look up in the sky
If I gaze at the heavens
The birds they know, ooh
The creatures flying overhead have their own awareness and perspective
Spread your wings
Take a risk and leave your comfort zone
Now you know
Now you have gained experience and wisdom
I can hear you sing, ooh
I can sense your joy and expression
As you go (x3)
As you continue on your journey
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.