True Friends

Album: That's the Spirit (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Oli Sykes penned the song about a previous relationship in which he was betrayed by his lover. He no longer wants anything to do with her and believes he'll get his revenge since Karma cannot be escaped.

    Sykes explained to Kerrang!:"'True Friends' is about certain people who really cut me up. To be honest, it applies to a lot of people I've known throughout my life. I don't hold hate or anger towards anyone, because it's just too draining."

    "This is about me making peace with those situations – it's about letting those people know that I can forgive, but I'll never forget. From here on out I'll always keep them at arms length."
  • The final line in the chorus, "True friends stab you in the front," is an Oscar Wilde quote.
  • The stark, cinematic video was directed by Bring Me the Horizon's own Oli Sykes and centers on a detective played by British actor Steve Oram (Sightseers, Bad Education, The World's End). The storyline has Oram haunted by past misdeeds and involves slaughtered horses and a murder plot.
  • I wouldn't hold my breath if I was you
    Cause I'll forget but I'll never forgive you


    Did you spot the iffy grammar? Keyboardist Jordan Fish explained to Kerrang: "It should be 'I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.' But we chose 'was you' instead because the correct way just didn't fit. It just didn't feel right because you never say it like that. All the time people tweet me going, "Actually it's supposed to be 'if I were you.'" I never reply… because I'm aware of the English language, you know (laughs.)"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.