Cousin Oliver was a ska band from California, USA. They were signed to Driv… Read Full Bio ↴Cousin Oliver was a ska band from California, USA. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first album (818) in 1997. A second album was recorded but never officially released. The band split up shortly after that.
In the early 2000s, Drive-Thru re-released (818) together with the unreleased songs as bonus tracks.

No Apologies
Cousin Oliver Lyrics

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And if I never feel it again
I'll turn my back and I walk away
Because if I'm never reaching for it
Then there's nothing of worth to save
I've never been one to beg
With my tail between my legs
What do you want from me
No apologies.

Not going to waste my time with your type all your imaginary hype
I'll do it my way risking to fail
At least I'm doing it for myself
No apologies, I need no sympathy
This one's not for you
This time it's me
I' not gonna' live that way
I' not gonna' live that way
I' not gonna' live that way
Never going to change

I'm not, no way, no apologies

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Cousin Oliver's song No Apologies showcase a sense of independence and self-confidence that resonates with the rebellious spirit in all of us. The singer is declaring that if they never feel or achieve what they want, they are willing to walk away rather than compromise their integrity. They refuse to beg or apologize, holding firm to their principles even if it means taking risks and possibly failing. The line "What do you want from me, no apologies" suggests that the singer is tired of trying to please others and is ready to live life on their own terms, without regrets.

The song's chorus repeats the phrase "no apologies" as a mantra of sorts, emphasizing the singer's determination to live without compromise. The line "I'll do it my way risking to fail" speaks to the idea that sometimes, taking risks and failing can be more liberating than playing it safe and living with regret. The singer is confident in their ability to live life according to their own rules, without needing the approval or sympathy of others.

Line by Line Meaning

And if I never feel it again
If I never experience that feeling again

I'll turn my back and I walk away
I will leave it behind and move on

Because if I'm never reaching for it
If I never strive for it

Then there's nothing of worth to save
Then there is nothing worth holding onto

I've never been one to beg
I've never been one to plead for something

With my tail between my legs
With a feeling of submission or defeat

What do you want from me
What is it that you expect from me

No apologies.
I am not sorry for being who I am

Not going to waste my time with your type all your imaginary hype
I won't spend my time on people who are full of fake enthusiasm

I'll do it my way risking to fail
I will do it in my own way, even if it means taking a chance of failing

At least I'm doing it for myself
At least I am doing it for my own satisfaction