Spend Time

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a young musician grappling with self-doubt and external judgment. The opening lines immediately establish a tension, urging to "spend time with the energy" but then twisting it to "spend time with the enemy." This sets up a conflict between embracing one's passion and confronting internal or external opposition. The core struggle emerges in Verse 1, where the narrator recounts a moment of shame at Christmas dinner. They downplay their pursuit of music, opting to lie about teaching drum set instead of admitting they dropped out of college to play shows. This internal conflict is amplified by the repeated phrase "I couldn't let it," suggesting an inability to accept or fully engage with their own aspirations or perhaps a fear of failure. The most striking element is the contrast between the narrator's internal turmoil and their mother's supportive intervention. She directly challenges their shame, urging them to "don't be ashamed of it." Yet, even with this encouragement, the narrator still struggles to "get out of my head or into the flow," highlighting how deeply ingrained the self-doubt has become. The repeated "Spend time with the enemy" becomes a refrain for this ongoing battle. This internal conflict makes the lyrics resonate. The raw honesty about the fear of admitting one's dreams, especially to loved ones, and the subsequent difficulty in fully committing even with support, captures a very real and often isolating experience. The writing effectively uses repetition to underscore the cyclical nature of this self-sabotage and the persistent presence of the "enemy" within.