FAITH NO MORE – The Gentle Art of Making Enemies (1995)

“Don’t say you’re not because you areHistory tells us that you are.”

(Mike Patton)

The Gentle Art of Making Enemies is originally the title a book by the painter James McNeill Whistler, published in London in 1890. The book was in part a response to, in part a transcript of, Whistler’s famous libel suit against critic John Ruskin. It is also the title of one of the songs in Faith No More’s album King For a Day Fool For a Lifetime (1995).

The words are so familiar All the same greats, the same mistakes It doesn’t have to be like this

If you don’t make a friend now One might make you So learn The gentle art of making enemies

Don’t you look so surprised Happy birthday, fucker Blow that candle out We’re gonna kick you, kick you

Don’t say you’re not because you are Don’t say you’re not because you are History tells us that you are History tells us that you are

And all you need is just one more excuse You put up one hell of a fight You put up one hell of a fight I wanna hear your very best excuse I never felt this much alive I never felt this much alive

Your day has finally come So wear the hat and do the dance And let the suit keep wearing you

This year you’ll sit and take it And you will like it It’s the gentle art of making enemies

I deserve a reward Cause I’m the best fuck that you ever had And if I tighten up my hole You may never see the light again

There’s always an easy way out There’s always an easy way out You need something wet in your mouth You need something wet in your mouth

And all you need is just one more excuse You put up one hell of a fight You put up one hell of a fight I wanna hear your very best excuse I never felt this much alive I never felt this much alive

I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, never felt this much alive I never felt, this much alive