Don't Start a Band
Reel Big Fish Lyrics

Don't start a band
Starting a band is not recommended

No body wants to hear no body wants to hear
Nobody will show up to your performances

Nobody understands
Your musical message will not be received

You'll be so disappointed that it was nothing like you planned
Your expectations will not meet reality

Oh yea yea yea
Reinforcing the main message of the song

I hate to ruin the magic
The song talks about what usually happens behind the scenes

I hate to kill the dream
The song is not meant to discourage aspiring musicians but inform them of the realities of the music business

But once you've been behind the scenes then you'll know just what I mean
The truth about the music industry cannot be known until you're part of it

You might think that's it's cool to get up on stage
Performing on stage might seem glamorous to some

And play rock and roll from your heart and soul
But playing music from one's soul is not enough to succeed

And there's no applause and no flying cars
Success is not guaranteed

No girls will scream for you and no ones gonna stay in love with you
Fame and fortune do not equal happiness and fulfillment

You will be so damn terrible they'll all think your shitty
The audience might not like your music

And even if you make it all the way to MTV
Success in mainstream media is rare and challenging

I don't think you could take it
The consequences of fame are not easy to endure

All the bullshit and the greed
The music industry is corrupt and money-driven

Everyone is so fake when they shake you hand
People in the music industry might not have the artist's best interests at heart

And they kiss your ass 'cause then they get cash
People in the industry might be disingenuous to get your money

And the business end will turn every friend to an enemy oh you will see
The music industry can tear people apart

They'll turn their their backs and they'll be gone faster than can say 'what did I do wrong'
People in the industry will abandon you when things do not go as planned

You will sign your lives away and then you'll be working for the man
The music industry has contracts that might not be in the artist's best interest

Your message will get lost
The artist's voice might not be heard or understood

You'll get double crossed
People in the music industry might deceive you for their personal gain

And if you that the joy of playing will keep you going through the years
Playing music is not necessarily enough to sustain a musical career

Wait till you poor and frustrated
Financial instability and frustration are common in the music industry

And the fun just disappears
The joy of playing music might fade away in the face of frustration and struggle

Nobody cares what you have to say
Success in the music industry does not guarantee a receptive audience

And noes gonna listen anyways
It is possible that nobody will pay attention to the music and lyrics

Rock and roll will bring you down
The song reiterates the difficulties of the music industry

And it will kick you while your on the ground
The industry can be ruthless to those who are not successful

So just give up now
The song's message is to deter aspiring musicians from starting a band

I'll show you how
The song warns of the difficulties of the music industry, and advises to walk away before being hurt by it.