The song "Friendly Fire" by UB40 tells the story of two partners in crime who find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict. They spend their days serving their time in a usual way, but eventually, they go behind the lines to even the score. In the context of the song, "friendly fire" refers to an accidental attack or injury inflicted by one's own side. The protagonist narrates that despite winning the battles against their partner, they ultimately lose the war. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for a personal relationship that goes sour. The lyrics also describe how the protagonist used to be a "gun for hire," indicating their involvement in dangerous activities or a willingness to do whatever it takes to fulfill their goals. However, they were unexpectedly killed by friendly fire, which means they were betrayed or harmed by someone they thought they could trust. The song expresses the shock and disbelief of the protagonist as they never saw their downfall coming. They highlight that the betrayal came "out of the blue" and reveal their surprise that their assassin turned out to be their partner. Overall, "Friendly Fire" conveys the themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions. It tells a cautionary tale about how even the closest relationships can crumble, resulting in unexpected and devastating outcomes.
