Meaning of "Friends And Enemies" by Biffy Clyro

The lyrics of "Friends and Enemies" delve into the theme of friendships and the complexities that can arise within them. The song begins with the singer encountering a choir coming down the hill, singing devilish songs. While the melody is captivating to the singer, they express concern about these individuals ruining something they hold dear. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for meeting new people who initially seem attractive or appealing, but may ultimately bring negativity into one's life.

The chorus highlights the contradiction within a particular friend. The singer describes this friend as not being right, but rather self-righteous. This implies that the friend consistently believes they are morally superior, leading to discord in the friendship. The line "With a friend as good as you who needs enemies?" suggests that having a friend who is not truly supportive or understanding can sometimes be worse than having an enemy. This realization brings about the acknowledgement of mistakes made in the relationship, emphasizing the flawed nature of human interactions.

The verses further explore the singer's experiences. They mention taking a road they didn't recognize, symbolizing a path in life that is unfamiliar or unexpected. They wait for a call to help stabilize someone, indicating a desire to be there for others and provide support. The mention of preferring someone conscious rather than in dreams signifies a preference for authentic connections, as opposed to ones built on false illusions or fantasies.

The line "Her eyes were described as deep set cigarette burns" portrays a vivid image to describe someone's eyes, suggesting pain or a troubled state of being. The plea to be kept in the right context and the need to learn implies a desire for understanding and growth within the relationship.

The repetition of the chorus further emphasizes the conflict and questioning of the friend's righteousness. The bridge introduces the concept of time revealing the truth or potentially concealing it forever, indicating uncertainty and the passage of time in understanding the complexities of friendships and mistakes made within them.

Overall, "Friends and Enemies" explores the nuances of friendships, highlighting the impact of self-righteousness, questioning the need for enemies when one has challenging friends, and acknowledging the growth that can come from making mistakes in relationships.