The Enemy Is You
Unraveling the Mind: Decoding Elliott Smith's 'The Enemy Is You'
Lyrics
You got your head turned 'round walking upside down
You're disoriented, confused, and viewing things in an inverted manner.
Through the sunken dream
You navigate a dreamlike state that's submerged or sunk.
Through the crushing crowd
You move through a dense, overwhelming crowd.
You don't know what it means 'cause you're a broken machine
Due to being broken or damaged, you lack understanding.
You won't lisp it out
You're not articulating your thoughts clearly; you're avoiding speaking about it.
You're dressing up your man
You're pretending or attempting to portray someone you're not.
It's all second hand
Your actions and demeanor are imitative or unoriginal.
It's all hindsight
You're reflecting on past events, hindsight, without comprehension.
You don't understand
You lack understanding of the situation or circumstance.
It's just an empty scene
The environment or situation feels hollow and devoid of significance.
It's still an empty scheme
Despite attempts, the plan or idea remains vacant or unfulfilled.
You want to block it out
You aim to ignore or shut it out.
But I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
Despite uncertainty, there's a determination to resolve or overcome it.
I'm gonna make it go away
There's a resolve to make the doubt disappear.
When you go walking out in
When you're out and about in the city associated with roses (symbolic), perhaps Portland.
The rose city
Uncertain, lacking direction or understanding.
Without a fucking clue
With a lack of awareness or insight, displaying an aggressive attitude.
With an attitude
You're aware of what you require, but you're unwilling to act accordingly.
Knowing what you need
The main obstacle or adversary is yourself.
What you will not do
You're inflicting harm or punishment on yourself as no one else can harm you in this manner.
The enemy is you
Having a clear understanding of your own character and tendencies.
You beat up on yourself 'cause there ain't no one else
You're self-destructive because there's no one else who can make you suffer as much.
Who feels quite as good to put straight through hell
You're intimately familiar with your own nature and behaviors.
You know yourself well
Being conscious of your identity or qualities.
You know what you're about
You're aware of your intentions or what drives you.
Just want to block it out
Similar to line 12, wanting to avoid confronting it.
Well, I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
Despite the doubts, there's a determination to address or resolve the issue.
I'm gonna hide my face away
Choosing to conceal oneself to avoid facing the doubt.
Block it out
A repetition indicating a desire to block or ignore the doubt.
Well, I know what I'm gonna do with this big doubt
Reiteration of the resolution to confront and eliminate the doubt.
I'm gonna make it go away
Commitment to making the doubt disappear entirely.
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