After the release of their debut album Enter in 1997, the band became prominent in the Dutch underground scene. It was not until 2001 that they became known to the general public, with the single "Ice Queen" from their second album Mother Earth, which reached No. 2 on the Dutch charts. This was followed by the band winning the Conamus Exportprijs, a Dutch music award, four years in a row, and a fifth in 2016. Their next albums The Silent Force (2004) and The Heart of Everything (2007) debuted at No. 1 on the Dutch charts and expanded their international recognition. In 2008, they released Black Symphony, a live album recorded with the Metropole Orchestra. This was followed in 2009 by An Acoustic Night at the Theatre, another live album, this time with acoustic renditions of the songs.
The band's fifth studio album, The Unforgiving, was released in March 2011 and was one part of a transmedia effort, alongside both a comic book series and a series of short films that together encompass a story. The album saw the band increasingly venturing on new musical territories outside symphonic metal. Their sixth studio album, Hydra, was released in early 2014 in Japan, Europe, and the United States. The album advanced the band's exploration of new musical genres and features guest appearances from various artists: Finnish singer Tarja Turunen, who appears in the lead single "Paradise (What About Us?)"; Howard Jones, former vocalist of American metalcore band Killswitch Engage; Dave Pirner, lead vocalist of American alternative rock band Soul Asylum; and American rapper Xzibit. The band had extensive airplay on BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom with one of the songs from the album, "Whole World Is Watching" featuring Pirner.
Their latest studio album, Resist, was released in February 2019 and incorporates influences from other musical styles such as industrial and EDM. By 2016, the band had already sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Within_Temptation
Studio albums
Enter (1997)
Mother Earth (2000)
The Silent Force (2004)
The Heart of Everything (2007)
The Unforgiving (2011)
Hydra (2014)
Resist (2019)
Bleed Out (2023)
Entertain You
Within Temptation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This ain't no game, we're not here to entertain you
Don't be mistaken, your bloody time's up
This ain't no game, we're not here to entertain you
Get your fix sitting on your throne
Want it all, and the price, it doesn't matter
I know that smile, so I should've known
You sold me out for a reckless bet, you burnt me
Off the ground, now won't back down anymore
No, you didn't have to burn me
You think you own me, but I wouldn't be so sure
You've won the battle, but you're gonna lose a war
Go to hell, I'm not here to entertain you
Just walk away or face the showdown
I won't bow, I don't care about the bleeding
'Cause my freedom's undefeated
My soul on fire, burning desire
Make no mistake 'cause the stakes are getting higher
Go to hell, I'm not here to entertain you
I'm not here to entertain you
Don't be mistaken, your bloody time's up
This ain't no game, we're not here to entertain you
You pull your face like you didn't know
Like you cared, and we'd buy your sorry story
Who's the fool? Now you're out of stones, yeah, you know
Blame the sea, blame the moon for all
Don't you see, we're the ones with the redemption?
Yeah, the time keeps turning 'round, turning 'round
Now the time is gone, you're going down
You think you own me, but I wouldn't be so sure
Go to hell, I'm not here to entertain you
Just walk away or face the showdown
I won't bow, I don't care about the bleeding
'Cause my freedom's undefeated
My soul on fire, burning desire
Make no mistake 'cause the stakes are getting higher
Go to hell, I'm not here to entertain you
I'm not here to entertain you
Yeah, in your mind, you deny all the suffering
You've taken sides 'cause you lost, it ain't your fight now
And you don't care anymore 'cause you lost the crown now
We're not here to entertain you
No, we're not here to entertain you
Don't be mistaken, your bloody time's up
This ain't no game, we're not here to entertain you
The song "Entertain You" by Within Temptation is a fierce declaration of independence and resistance against oppression. The lyrics challenge the listener to reject the idea that they exist for the entertainment of others and to reject the power structures that seek to use and control them. The opening lines, "Don't be mistaken, your bloody time's up, this ain't no game, we're not here to entertain you," set the tone for the entire song. The lyrics assert that it is time to take a stand and fight against those who seek to dominate and exploit us.
The lyrics go on to describe the mindset of those who want to control and use others, "Get your fix sitting on your throne, want it all, and the price, it doesn't matter, the world is yours, and you think you know, know it all." The singer recognizes the manipulative tactics of the oppressor, "I know that smile, so I should've known, you sold me out for a reckless bet, you burnt me." The lyrics then climax with a powerful message of defiance, "Go to hell, I'm not here to entertain you, just walk away or face the showdown, I won't bow, I don't care about the bleeding, 'cause my freedom's undefeated."
Overall, "Entertain You" is a powerful anthem of resistance that encourages the listener to reject the oppressive mindsets of those seeking to exploit and control them. It is a call to stand up for oneself and fight back against the systems that seek to use and exploit us.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be mistaken, your bloody time's up
Your time is over, don't misunderstand our purpose
This ain't no game, we're not here to entertain you
We are not here to play games or amuse you
Get your fix sitting on your throne
You are addicted to power and control
Want it all, and the price, it doesn't matter
You desire everything and will pay any cost
The world is yours, and you think you know, know it all
You believe the world belongs to you and think you have all the answers
I know that smile, so I should've known
I recognize your false smile and should have realized your deception
You sold me out for a reckless bet, you burnt me
You betrayed me for a foolish gamble and hurt me
Off the ground, now won't back down anymore
I am standing up for myself and won't be afraid anymore
No, you didn't have to burn me
Your actions were unnecessary and hurtful
You think you own me, but I wouldn't be so sure
You believe you have power over me, but I am not so easily controlled
You've won the battle, but you're gonna lose a war
You may have won a small victory, but you will ultimately lose
Go to hell, I'm not here to entertain you
I refuse to comply with your demands or be used for your entertainment
Just walk away or face the showdown
Leave now or prepare for a confrontation
I won't bow, I don't care about the bleeding
I will not submit or be concerned about the consequences
'Cause my freedom's undefeated
I will not sacrifice my freedom or allow it to be taken away
My soul on fire, burning desire
I am passionate and driven
Make no mistake 'cause the stakes are getting higher
The situation is becoming more serious and important
Yeah, in your mind, you deny all the suffering
You refuse to acknowledge the pain you have caused
You've taken sides 'cause you lost, it ain't your fight now
You have joined the opposing team because you lost and are no longer involved in the original conflict
And you don't care anymore 'cause you lost the crown now
You no longer care about the situation because you have lost your position of power
Now the time is gone, you're going down
Your time of influence is over and you will soon suffer the consequences
Writer(s): Sharon J Adel Den, Robert J Westerholt, Daniel Bjorn Gibson
Contributed by Brooklyn L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mushroom Magic
Do not fall in the trap of cowardice, they make the music like this, to be a coping nechanism for fragile weak people.
It is only marketing, it's catchy and heart strocking to atract more people, for them to have more money and popularity.
The world is not that bad, you see it in dark colors.
Anyone has a place into the world.
No, you do not have to be a sheep to fit in.
But, you also do not have to give up on geting out, experiencing people, haveing friends, living your life, you have to stand up for yourself because no one will.
You have put the mask of "outcast" for yourself, you have some inner problems that needs to be solved by yourself.
Music won't help you in life, in fact it will break it apart, maybe ruin it in the worst case scenario.
Please, please do not waste your life.
Go see a therapist, it is not a shame.
Within Temptation
Listen to our brand new song 'Entertain You' on your preferred music service: http://www.lnk.to/wtey
Saymour gaymzesGaL1881
I absolutely did its great!!👍😁
WowKar
There is something to live for! Thank you!
Sylvie Deroo
You guys are geniius,blowen away yet again,RESPECT❤️always!
Van Anderman
I will be the odd one out because I did not like it at all, sorry. I'm a very openminded musiclover, love all sorts of genres but I don't care much about Within Temptation straying any further from the metalband they once were... But kudos to them for doing what feels right. Don't let anybody dictate the artistic direction of your band!
Storm One
@Van Anderman Resist is among their best albums in my humble opinion, and so is Hydra.
RomieMoma
Artists don't have an easy time nowadays. Especially musicians. They are under constant pressure of society telling them what music they should and shouldn't do. The question is, should the band be a slave just so that the crowd stays entertained, or should the band stay true to themselves and be free even if it meant that the crowd wouldn't understand their message?
Much respect for Within Temptation. You guys rock!
ApocalypticViolinist
That's actually not the real message of the song, but your interpretation is relevant. The song is about people who are different, who don't fit in, and "weird", but they're not here for our entertainment.
briarios666
To a point yes but it's also wise to take in criticism aswell in some cases it can actually help
X Critic
Tuomas from Nightwish has written at least 2 songs that I can think of telling his fans that hes gonna write whatever he pleases and they won't change anything by negative influence.