Two Against One

I think this song is about someone who is not only haunted by his own demons, but can only see the lies from those around him, how fake people can be, and these things are all he can really see in the world. He has gotten to the point that he can't trust the world, can't trust himself and his own point of view, can't trust anyone, and he's just gotten caught in this downward spiral of loathing, mistrust, and apathy. It's just become a vicious cycle, basically.

The song is about one person who is his own worst enemy (and maybe a little crazy). I know he gets all the way up to three people in the song but those three people are one and the same. He's against himself, that's two people, and then there's that bastard in the mirror. That makes three.

Great song!

I agree, this is an awesome song and a fantastic collaboration.

I'm a little confused on what the song means...

The first line of the third verse is:

"And if your foot soldiers, sycophants, and yes-men".

I interpret the song as being about battling inner demons and/or being your own worst enemy.

This is an absolutely fantastic song. And if you haven't seen the music video, I highly recommend it. The animation is incredible.

As for the song meaning... It definitely looks like it's about a man who is struggling with his 'inner demons', so to speak. However, I believe he is talking to someone who is attempting to help him. Perhaps a psychologist or just a caring friend.

"Make no mistake I don't do anything for free I keep my enemies closer than my mirror ever gets to me" He is telling this person that he is a cautious man. Un-trusting. Maybe even paranoid?

"Wait til you feel the warmth of my gratitude." Asking for help, or just accepting an offer of help.

"I get the feeling that it's two against one" Two real people fighting his mirror self/inner demon/problems.

"The mirror is a trigger and your mouth's a gun Lucky for me, I'm not the only one" Looking in the mirror must trigger his self hatred. He also thinks that the person who is helping him has the ability to end his struggle.

"And if it looks to me like you in your reflection Plan to add your own fight to this dimension Then tell it this ain't no free-for-all to see There's only three, it's just you and me against me" Basically, he doesn't want anyone else to help.

"And if your foot soldiers, sycophants, and yes-men Plan to break into the middle of this little plan Then there's your plan to hear me say That I won't play around the way Anyway, I plan to plan around them" This one is a bit fuzzy. Perhaps it means that... if this person does bring others in to help... that he'll pretend like nothing is wrong?

I think this is a person battling inner demons and their path crosses with a manipulative, destructive person and an unequal battle then takes place. These lyrics make sense In this theory... The mirror is a trigger (negative self image) and your mouth's a gun (that person putting words to your inner fears about yourself) Manipulative people have an army of followers they draw around themselves who only ever see the things the manipulator wants them to see. These are the sycophantic yes men in the song. It's no free for all to see, this makes sense because this sort of a situation happens invisible to others as it's often mental abuse and not apparent. It's a warning song, if you are your own worst enemy then you risk meeting someone even worse who will use it against you further and destroy you. After all as Jack White reminds us he's not the only one.