Music Story - Fear
- darrenleerichardson
- Jul 13
- 8 min read
Song: Fear
Album: Next We Rock (©2024)
Credits: Darren Lee Richardson
Inception: 1999
At First Thought
'Fear' is a classic hard rock song that mixes the dissonant tones of heavy metal and straight-ahead chords for an anthemic chorus that makes a concise point.
I wrote this song twenty-six years ago, and my feelings haven't changed; fear sucks, and you should strive to exorcise it from your life. Fear wants to control you. It wants to hold you back. It wants you to hate, and hate leads to the evils of the world.
The best way to stop fear is to learn about the things that bring fear into your life. Knowledge is power here. And that power is stronger than any fear. It grows inside you and strengthens you with every lesson learned and information gathered. With that power, fear will ultimately fear you.
Don't Fear the Fear
Fear is the enemy; plain and simple. FDR knew it, and he was right. In case you didn't know, historical references are so rock n' roll. Now that you know that, you don't have to be afraid of history. All kidding aside, I can't express how important it is for you to know that fear is normal, and when you face it, you grow. And that is what the song is about. This song compels you to recognize it, acknowledge it, and then defeat it.
Now that doesn't mean there isn't a sensible level of fear. When you are on the edge of a cliff, you should fear jumping off. That fear is protecting you. You should know that it is not the fall, but the landing at the end, that you should truly fear. Don't learn that the hard way.
So, respect fear, but also control it before it controls you.
A World of Daily Fear
The first verse of Fear is about the chronic fear that leads to the hate that is consuming the planet these days: "When you view someone like you as a weaker form of life". The problem is they don't see the "someone" as "like" them. The reality of life on this planet is that, despite our obvious and exploited differences, we are the same. But fear tells too many that we are not. And that fear leads to hate. And that hate can be a path to evil. This dynamic truth is not a recent discovery. History shows us that it has been part of humankind's story for as long as stories have been written. It is a sad and horrifying truth of ignorance about what we could be if we all just chose peace, kindness, and love.
That sounds like an oversimplification of a falsely complicated problem. Still, the reality is that "we" choose our reactions, and fear causes us to choose control over kindness, hate over empathy, and isolation over connection.
This is the largest reason that I truly hate fear. It is the apple in the Garden of Eden.
Videos, Videos, Videos...
Fear has been part of my repertoire for many years now, both live and in video. It has been a go-to opener for so many shows. It was a great song to introduce my music in live bands, and people responded well to each performance. Here are videos of Fear over the years, live or otherwise:
Check out the lyrics and Gemini analysis the same below. Would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment or share.
Go to my About page and subscribe to my email list so you can be in the know when there is something new to share with the indie music community or progress on my continued musical journey.
Thank you for reading... Darren Lee Richardson
Lyrics
Fear
by Darren Lee Richardson
©1999
I know your darkest secret, I know your reason why
When you view someone like you as a weaker form of life
Fear is what you ride, but the choice is yours to decide
I know your hidden passion, I know the mountain you climb
I know your dreams of places you'll be, if you only have the time
Fear, it closes doors, but the choice will always be yours
Don't fear the fear..
I know the source of evil, you listen while I tell
With quickened haste it picks up the pace as it gets that familiar smell
Fear, it drags you down, it's up to you to stand your ground
Fear, it knows your name, it's the rule as well as the game
Don't play the game...
Lyrics: A Gemini Analysis
My company started telling me I "have to" start using AI. I'm not a fan, especially when it comes to replacing art. I am, however, okay with it where it is useful and trying to replace humans from an artistic perspective. I started playing around with it and decided to see what it would do with my lyrics. Here is the first of this concept. Let me know what you think.
Overall Impression:
"Fear" is a confrontational and empowering hard rock anthem that dissects the pervasive nature of fear and its manipulative power. It challenges the listener to recognize fear's influence, expose its origins, and ultimately assert their own agency over it. The "straight-ahead, hard rock" label suggests a direct, forceful musical delivery that would complement the lyrical message of defiance and self-empowerment.
Verse by Verse Analysis:
Verse 1: Unmasking the Bully
"I know your darkest secret, I know your reason why"
This opening is immediately accusatory and all-knowing. The speaker claims intimate knowledge of the listener's vulnerabilities and motivations. This creates an immediate sense of direct address and a slight psychological edge, as if the speaker is seeing through a facade.
"When you view someone like you / as a weaker form of life"
This is a crucial reveal of the "darkest secret." The song suggests that the fear discussed isn't just about external threats, but about an internal hierarchy or judgment. The "someone like you" could refer to other people, or even parts of oneself, that are deemed "weaker." This hints at a fear born from a sense of superiority or an insecurity that manifests as contempt for perceived weakness.
"Fear is what you ride, but the choice is yours to decide"
"Fear is what you ride" is a powerful metaphor. It suggests that fear isn't just an emotion experienced, but an active force or vehicle that the listener is using, perhaps to justify their actions or maintain control. However, the immediate counterpoint, "but the choice is yours to decide," introduces the core theme of personal agency and the ability to break free from fear's grip.
Verse 2: Fear as a Dream Killer
"I know your hidden passion, I know the mountain you climb"
The speaker again claims to know deep, personal aspects of the listener – their aspirations ("hidden passion") and significant challenges ("mountain you climb"). This continues the theme of intimate, almost psychic, understanding.
"I know your dreams of places you'll be / if you only have the time"
This line identifies the true desires and potential of the listener. The caveat "if you only have the time" implies that something is preventing them from pursuing these dreams, and the next line reveals that obstacle.
"Fear, it closes doors, but the choice will always be yours"
This is a clear statement of fear's destructive power. It acts as a barrier, preventing progress and opportunity. The repetition of "but the choice will always be yours" reinforces the central message of individual responsibility and the power to overcome, regardless of fear's influence.
Pre-Chorus/Bridge 1: The First Command
"Don't fear the fear.."
This is a direct, concise command. It's a paradox – to overcome fear, one must not be afraid of fear itself. It encourages confronting the emotion head-on rather than succumbing to its terror. This line is perfectly suited for a hard rock delivery, likely serving as a punchy, declarative statement.
Verse 3: The Genesis and Manipulation of Fear
"I know the source of evil, you listen while I tell"
The speaker now claims to reveal a deeper, almost universal truth about evil. The phrase "you listen while I tell" demands attention and implies a significant revelation.
"With quickened haste it picks up the pace / as it gets that familiar smell"
This personifies "evil" (or perhaps "fear" itself as the root of evil) as something predatory and opportunistic. It's almost an animalistic description, suggesting that fear feeds on vulnerability and recognizable patterns of weakness.
"Fear, it drags you down, it's up to you to stand your ground"
A direct consequence of fear is revealed: it "drags you down," implying defeat, despair, or stagnation. The call to action "it's up to you to stand your ground" provides the antidote – active resistance and defiance.
"Fear, it knows your name, it's the rule as well as the game"
This is a powerful and unsettling statement. "Fear knows your name" suggests an intimate, personal, and almost intelligent understanding of your weaknesses. The metaphor "it's the rule as well as the game" implies that fear dictates the terms of engagement and the very structure of the struggle. It's not just an opponent; it's the entire system you're operating within.
Outro/Bridge 2: The Final Command
"Don't play the game..."
This is the ultimate refusal. If fear is "the rule as well as the game," the only way to truly defeat it is to refuse to participate on its terms. It's a declaration of withdrawal from fear's dominion, a choice to create one's own rules and reality. This line serves as a stark, empowering conclusion, very fitting for a hard rock song where defiance is a common thread.
Key Themes:
Agency and Choice: The most dominant theme is the individual's power to choose how they respond to fear. The repeated "the choice is yours to decide" and "the choice will always be yours," along with "it's up to you to stand your ground," emphasizes self-determination.
The Insidious Nature of Fear: The song portrays fear not just as an emotion, but as an active, manipulative force that closes doors, drags you down, and even knows your weaknesses ("knows your name").
Self-Perception and Judgment: The first verse hints at fear being rooted in how one views others (or aspects of oneself) as "weaker," suggesting that insecurity or a sense of superiority can be breeding grounds for fear.
Confrontation and Resistance: The lyrics are a direct confrontation of fear. The speaker is calling out fear's tactics and urging the listener to fight back ("stand your ground," "don't fear the fear," "don't play the game").
Empowerment: Despite the dark subject matter, the overall message is one of empowerment. By understanding fear's mechanisms and asserting choice, one can break free from its control.
Hard Rock Sensibilities (in lyrics):
Direct and Declarative Language: The statements are bold and unambiguous ("I know your darkest secret," "Fear, it closes doors," "Don't fear the fear").
Confrontational Tone: The lyrics directly address "you" and challenge the listener's complacency.
Emphasis on Strength and Resistance: Phrases like "stand your ground" and "don't play the game" evoke a sense of defiance and power, which aligns well with hard rock's energetic and often rebellious spirit.
Repetition for Emphasis: Repeating "the choice is yours" and the commanding "Don't fear the fear" creates a strong, memorable impact, perfect for driving choruses or memorable refrains in hard rock.
Slightly Dark/Serious Subject Matter: Exploring themes like "darkest secret," "evil," and being "dragged down" is common in hard rock, which often delves into the grittier or more challenging aspects of life.
In summary, "Fear" is a potent hard rock lyric that functions as both a warning and a battle cry. It skillfully illuminates the insidious ways fear operates and simultaneously provides a clear path to liberation through conscious choice and unwavering resolve.
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