Detroit singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens handles harmonies on this track. Guitarist Aaron Dessner explained to The Quietus the valuable role he played: "Sufjan came in one day when we were struggling with 'Afraid Of Everyone' – that song was very difficult to make happen – and he just started playing the harmonium and singing along with it. He made up this little melody and he layered it four times – that gave the song a whole different dimension. That was his contribution."
Singer Matt Berninger told The Quietus this track is about wanting to protect your family. He explained: "That song is trying to figure out where you're going to go when there's a calamity like a civil war or something."
Berninger expanded on the song's meaning to Spinner UK: "'Afraid of Everyone' is anxiety and paranoia and not knowing how to deal with it, that's what that song's about. And desperately wanting to defend yourself and your family from the chaotic forces of evil, and you don't even know what they are, or who's right or who's wrong and what to believe."
See your Spotify stats (with number of plays and minutes listened) and discover new music.
Music data, artist images, album covers, and song previews are provided by Spotify. Spotify is a trademark of Spotify AB.