311 mix rock, rap, reggae and funk into their own unique sound. After years of consistent touring, 311 have developed a reputation as one of the hardest working, most influential and most entertaining live bands in the U.S.
311 have released ten studio albums, one live album, one greatest hits album and three dvd's - and have sold over 8.5 million albums in the U.S. Seven of their albums have reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Sales Chart...and 9 of their singles have reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Alternative Rock Radio Chart (including the #1 singles Down, Love Song & Don't Tread On Me. Along with Amber, All Mixed Up, Come Original, Creatures For Awhile, Hey You, and Sunset in July).
311’s newest album, Universal Pulse, released in Summer 2011, was produced by Bob Rock, mixed by Chad Sexton and debuted at #7 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart.
The band's celebratory live shows & incessant touring schedule have earned them a massive grassroots following nationwide. Since its inception in 2004, 311’s annual summer headlining amphitheatre run, Unity Tour, has become one of the largest modern rock concerts of the summer. Support acts on previous Unity Tours have included Sublime with Rome, The Offspring, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Papa Roach, The Wailers, O.A.R., Matisyahu, and Ziggy Marley. Unity Tour 2012 will feature support from Slightly Stoopid.
311 BIO/HIGHLIGHTS:
* 311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska by vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, vocalist/dj SA Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut. The band now resides in Los Angeles.
* 311 has sold over 8.5 million units in the U.S.
* 311 has had 8 albums reach the Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Top 200 Sales Chart
* 311 has had 9 singles reach the Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Alternative Chart (including the #1 singles “Down”, “Love Song” & “Don’t Tread On Me” along with “Amber”, “All Mixed Up”, “Come Original”, “Creatures (For a While)”, “Hey You” and "Sunset in July")
* 311’s new album, Universal Pulse, debuted at #7 in July 2011 and was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith).
* 311’s new album, due summer of 2011, was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith).
* 311’s sound is a unique hybrid of rock, reggae, hip-hop & funk. A balance of hard rocking anthems and melodic reggae grooves - with an underlying message of unity & positivity.
* After years of incessant touring, 311 has developed a reputation as one of the most influential & most entertaining live bands in the U.S.
* With their celebratory live shows, 311 has earned a massive grassroots following. For the past nine years, 311 has headlined their summer “Unity Tour” in ampitheatres across the U.S.- drawing crowds of 10,000 to 18,000 people in Atlanta, Boston, DC, New Jersey, Los Angeles, St. Louis, West Palm, Charlotte, VA Beach, Denver, etc. The tour is consistently one of the largest modern rock concerts of the summer in the U.S.
* Past 311 tours have included an impressive array of opening acts. Bands such as No Doubt, Korn & Incubus all supported 311 on U.S. tours before they became headliners.
* Support acts on 311’s Unity Tour have included :
Sublime With Rome, The Offspring, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Papa Roach, The Wailers, O.A.R., Matisyahu and Ziggy Marley.
* 311 has always stayed true to their own approach and their underlying message of unity and positivity. That message still rings true for them today…in their lyrics and at their celebratory live shows. Singer Nick Hexum typically ends each show with the words, “Stay Positive and Love Your Life.”
• Every other year on March 11th (“3-11 Day”), 311 holds a special concert event that attracts thousands of 311 fans from around the world. The show includes an extended setlist (5 hours / 60+ songs) and state of the art production. Last year the band sold-out the Mandalay Bay Arena and tickets were sold to fans in all 50 U.S. states and 13 different countries. 311 fans traveled from around the globe to meet each other and to celebrate 311 Day together.
There's Always An Excuse
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's always an excuse when you need one
There's always an excuse when you need one, ah
Always a reason for someone, ooh
There's always an excuse when you need one
There's always an excuse when you need one, ah
Always tiptoe around the turncoat today, yeah
This time you've done it
You hurt yourself good
Your best friend is gone
And it's understood
All alone and no singing
And in true LA style
Your phone stopped ringing
There's always an excuse when you need one
There's always an excuse when you need one, ah
There's always an excuse when you need one
There's always an excuse when you need one
Ah, always
Shut it down, get it right
'Cause a person can't win if they don't even put up a fight
Get it right
Everyone has got something that keeps them awake in the night
That's a fact
Don't think of the times that you gave up and let out some slack
Take it back
Don't think you're the only one going through it
Take it back
There's always an excuse when you need one
There's always an excuse when you need one
There's always an excuse when you need one
Always an excuse when you need one
Always an excuse when you need one
Always an excuse when you need one
Always an excuse when you need one
Always, all, all, always
The lyrics to 311's song "There's Always an Excuse" are centered around the idea that people have a tendency to make excuses for their actions or behavior. The song acknowledges the fact that it's always easier to make an excuse than to take responsibility for one's actions. The opening lines "There's always an excuse when you need one" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the recurring nature of this behavior. The line "Always tiptoe around the turncoat today, yeah" suggests that people might be cautious around those who have been known to turn on them or betray them. The lyrics also touch on themes of loneliness, as well as the idea that everyone has something that keeps them up at night.
The song was released on 311's self-titled album, which was released on July 11, 1995.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh
Musical expression to convey a sense of urgency or frustration
There's always an excuse when you need one
It is easy to come up with rationalizations when you want to avoid taking responsibility or facing consequences
Always a reason for someone, ooh
There is always something or someone to blame when things go wrong
Always tiptoe around the turncoat today, yeah
Everyone is cautious when speaking to those who have betrayed their trust in the past
Which mood is it gonna be today, yeah
It is unclear how someone will react or what their attitude will be on any given day
This time you've done it
You have made a serious mistake or error in judgment
You hurt yourself good
Your mistake has had a significant negative impact on your life
Your best friend is gone
Your mistake has caused you to lose the trust and support of someone you cared about deeply
And it's understood
The reason for your friend's absence is clear and expected
All alone and no singing
You are isolated and unable to express yourself freely
And in true LA style
In a superficial and image-conscious way
Your phone stopped ringing
People are not reaching out to you or responding to your attempts to connect
Shut it down, get it right
Stop making excuses and take responsibility for your actions in order to fix the situation
'Cause a person can't win if they don't even put up a fight
If you don't try to improve or make things right, you cannot expect to succeed
Everyone has got something that keeps them awake in the night
Everyone has worries or regrets that keep them from sleeping
That's a fact
It is an undeniable truth
Don't think of the times that you gave up and let out some slack
Don't dwell on your past failures or moments of weakness
Take it back
Regain control of the situation and make amends for your mistakes
Don't think you're the only one going through it
Remember that others have faced similar challenges and you are not alone
Always an excuse when you need one
Repeating the theme of the song: it is easy to rationalize your behavior and avoid responsibility
Always an excuse when you need one, ah
Repeating the theme of the song in a vocal ad lib
Always
Repeating the theme of the song with emphasis
All, all, always
Repeating the theme of the song with emphasis and variation
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind