Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.

(1) The … Read Full Bio ↴Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.

(1) The first was a punk music trio formed by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern, in Hollywood, California in 1980. The band has broken up and subsequently re-formed a number of times. They have been together again for several years as of 2006, and playing shows throughout California. Youth Brigade have only released a few records, but were influential as the founders of the Better Youth Organization, an independent record label and concert booking firm.

(2) Youth Brigade was also another, unrelated punk band from Washington D.C., who released a 7" EP on Dischord Records in 1981. This band subsequently, during their short life, called themselves DC Youth Brigade. Youth Brigade DC also has 3 tracks featured on the 1982 Dischord compilation Flex Your Head. An unreleased song entitled "I Object" is also featured on the 20 Years of Dischord compliation set. Although only around for a short period of time the DC Youth Brigade played shows with the legendary Minor Threat. Their style is also now considered a classic example of American hardcore punk.

Friends
Youth Brigade Lyrics

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This is a story of so-called friends, just opportunist, take what they can trust and honour are words to them they smile while they stab you in the back me I got my reasons, you really want to know there's not too much to tell you say that its hurt feelings I don't think betrayal's the mark of true friends I won't have to say it again can't look me in the eye your no friend of mine no reason no reason your just an asshole screw me out of everything I've worked hard for you say its just business nothing personal, you know I'll understand I say it's obvious what a fool I was to trust you never do it again. I don't need anybody to tell me what friends are for only for money coud you be such whores tell you what you want to hear take away allthe things you hold dear and they stab you in the back, so that's my story you know how it ends, don't let yourself get duped by a friend. trust and honour are words to them, they smile while they stab you in the back.

Overall Meaning

The Youth Brigade's song "Friends" is a powerful commentary on betrayal and fake friendships. The song tells the story of the lead singer's experience with people who claimed to be his friends, only to reveal themselves as dishonest opportunists who will stop at nothing to take what they want. The lyrics express the singer's disillusionment with the idea of friendship and his frustration at being taken advantage of by those who he thought he could trust.

The lines "trust and honour are words to them, they smile while they stab you in the back" perfectly encapsulate the theme of the song. The singer is left feeling helpless and hurt as he reflects on the harsh reality that true friends are hard to come by. The song is a powerful commentary on the importance of honesty, integrity, and loyalty in any meaningful relationship, including friendships.

In conclusion, the song Friends by Youth Brigade is a powerful commentary on the importance of trust, loyalty, and honesty in any meaningful relationship, including friendships. It is a cautionary tale that warns us against the dangers of opportunism, betrayal and fake friendships. In essence, the song encourages us to value authenticity and integrity in our relationships and to be wary of those who claim to be our friends but are only looking out for themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

This is a story of so-called friends, just opportunist, take what they can
The song is about people who pretend to be friends with you but only do it to take advantage of you and get what they want.

Trust and honour are words to them they smile while they stab you in the back
These fake friends act like they value trust and honor, but in reality, they will still betray you without any remorse.

Me I got my reasons, you really want to know there's not too much to tell
The singer has been betrayed by these opportunistic friends and has his own personal reasons for feeling hurt and betrayed.

You say that its hurt feelings I don't think betrayal's the mark of true friends
The singer doesn't believe that true friends would ever betray or hurt each other, so he sees no reason to forgive and forget.

I won't have to say it again can't look me in the eye your no friend of mine
The singer is so hurt and disgusted by the actions of his fake friends that he doesn't want anything to do with them anymore.

No reason no reason your just an asshole screw me out of everything I've worked hard for
The singer is angry and hurt that his fake friend was willing to take advantage of him and steal everything that he had worked hard to achieve.

You say its just business nothing personal, you know I'll understand
The fake friend tries to play off their betrayal as just a business decision, hoping that the singer will forgive them for it.

I say it's obvious what a fool I was to trust you never do it again.
The singer realizes that he made a mistake by trusting this fake friend and vows to never make that mistake again.

I don't need anybody to tell me what friends are for only for money could you be such whores
The singer understands that real friends don't betray each other for money and is disgusted by the actions of these fake friends.

Tell you what you want to hear take away all the things you hold dear and they stab you in the back
These fake friends will say whatever it takes to get what they want from you, even if it means taking away the things that are most important to you.

So that's my story you know how it ends, don't let yourself get duped by a friend.
The singer's story should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can trust their so-called friends blindly.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, MELMAX MUSIC
Written by: JINHO HAKIM FERREIRA, DAVE LOPEZ, STEPHEN ALTON SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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