Verse 1
You always think you know the better thing to do
But in this case you could be wrong
So you chuck off your shoes with an empty smile on your face
What is the problem with you?
You’re constantly in a mood and you’ve gotta shake it off
Its getting on top of you again
Everything that I say is the icing on the cake and
You’ve gotta laugh at it
And put it behind you, put it behind you

Chorus
Stop, I’m not your number one enemy
I’m not your number one enemy
If you wanna be a part of me
I’m not your number one enemy

Verse 2
So, now you’ve got this far
Do you really want to start again on your own
You say you’re eternally scarred,
But its nothing we cant fix while you’re at home

I’m not your number one enemy
All of you seem to be getting me
A little confused with the way that you’re treating me again
We get along every now and then
We need to tie up the loose ends.
I know that it will be alright,
Lets stay in and talk tonight

Chorus
Stop, I’m not your number one enemy
I’m not your number one enemy
If you wanna be a part of me
I’m not your number one enemy
Stop, I’m not your number one enemy
I’m not your number one enemy
If you wanna be a part of me
I’m not your number one enemy

Middle eight
I I I I may be the one to blame sometimes
But I want it like it was before
Like it was once before
And you you you you’re stuck
In between what you want and what’s the right thing to do
I want it like it was before
Like it was once before

Rap
Daisy
It’s munk
I like this
Take off, take off, Daisy’s bout to take off
The ones you love the most in life
See you without your make-up
So, put the past behind ya
She don’t want to fight ya
You ain’t hit the ceiling yet, but chill before your times up
Oh, look you must be crazy
For 16 she ain’t your average lady
So you don’t really want to go daring daisy
Now she’s telling me
Best thing is just let it be
Cos all she keeps on tellin me
Is that she ain’t your enemy
She ain’t your enemy
Scarlett! She ain’t your enemy so
Stop!

Chorus
Stop, I’m not your number one enemy
I’m not your number one enemy
If you wanna be a part of me
I’m not your number one enemy
Stop, I’m not your number one enemy
I’m not your number one enemy
If you wanna be a part of me
I’m not your number one enemy
If you wanna be a part of me
I’m not your number one enemy
Number one enemy
Number one enemy
Number one enemy
Number one enemy

The Metallica logo has changed a lot over the years – here’s a post I wrote a while back showing how it altered with each successive album. And if you’re a big fan of Metallica, why not contibute to the Metallica wiki page on Unreality Shout?

That all changed when Beyonce seemed to become a parody of her sexy self and turned into a loathsome clothes horse as displayed on the pages of Heat magazine every week. Then came the gangsta’s moll phase, when she hooked up with Jay-Z. The girlie Beyonce was replaced by a horrible soft porn version. Not nice.

With the release of Irreplacable, Beyonce seems to have gone back to her roots. And a welcome return it is.

The instrumentation is stripped right back: basically just guitar and a simple drumbeat carrying the tune. A very simple verse/chorus arrangement is enhanced by Beyonce’s most honest vocal performance in recent memory. Beautiful melody in the verses and a chorus so catchy it’ll take a lobotomy to stop you singing it.

Subject matter is a return to Independent Women and Bills, Bills, Bills territory – very much woman on top type of thing.

The video for Irreplaceable carries on the ‘stripped down’ theme – Beyonce looking her most natural in ages. The storyline reminds me slightly of the Emotion single Destiny’s Child release a couple of years ago. There’s a little bit of posturing by Ms Knowles, enough to keep the lads happy without being as OTT as her other recent singles.

You mus’ not know ’bout a-me, you mus’ not know ’bout a-me….

Throughout the interview, they played some excerpts from Emily?s album and I was instantly captivated by her singing. A few weeks later, I managed to get my hands on a copy of Emily?s latest album, A Different Life.

Now, regular readers know that I?m more likely to be rocking out to late 80?s hair metal than Scottish traditional tunes, but I?m actually pretty diverse in my musical tastes!

A Different Life is filled with beautifully crafted stories, the playing is straightforward and the acoustic guitars and violins sound rich and earthy. And above it all, Emily?s clear, sing-song voice narrates tales of love and loss and simple rustic life and life in bygone days.

A Different Life: Favourite Moments

My favourite track on the album is Edward Of Morton, a song about a young servant who refuses to get involved with the lady of the house he works for. She tells her husband that Edward was making advances toward her and he is cast in a dungeon and eventually tortured to death by her husband. Morbid stuff, but compelling. Oh, and Emily tells it better than I did, so you’d be better listening to her version of events!

Always A Smile is also worthy of note. It’s a charming story of a young farm girl who leaves home facing a life of adversity, and who eventually overcomes her tribulations to raise a family in Scotland. It always makes me think about my grandmother, late in life surrounded by sons, daughters and grandchildren and that nostalgia looking back over her life. A simple and lovely song.

Strong Winds For Autumn – I’ll admit I couldn’t quite follow the lyrics of this one, but the music is fantastic. The acoustic guitar is deep and rich and Emily’s voice is clear and sorrowful.

The remainder of the tracks are excellent. Like I say, Scottish folk isn’t usually my forte, but I have been listening to this album solid since about October. I put it on with the intention of reviewing it quickly, but it has grown on my to the point where I actually had to remind myself to take it out of the car!

Final Thoughts

A Different Life is lacking one thing in my opinion ? a good live track. Emily tours the world with her band and has entertained many people along the way. It?d be nice to hear one of the songs in a live setting just to get a feel for the atmosphere.

Go to Emily’s website for more information, and to listen to a few sample tracks. Many thanks to Jamie for hooking me up with a copy of the album! If Emily’s playing Northern Ireland anytime soon, I’ll let you know.