D.O.A. was a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. T… Read Full Bio ↴D.O.A. was a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are often referred to as the "founders" of hardcore punk, along with Black Flag, The Germs, Negative Trend, and Middle Class. Their second album Hardcore '81 was thought by many to have been the first actual reference to the second wave of the American punk sound as hardcore. Singer/guitarist Joey "Shithead" Keithley is the only founding member to have stayed in the band throughout its entire history. However, original bassist Randy Rampage has been active in the band in recent years and has played on one of the band's last three albums, although he is not in the current lineup. D.O.A. has often released music on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records, and they have released an album with Jello Biafra titled Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors.

D.O.A. has always maintained an uncompromising leftist political stance. The band is known for its outspoken political opinions and has a history of performing for many causes and benefits. Its slogan is "Talk minus Action equals Zero." The band has been active on many issues, including anti-racism, anti-globalization, freedom of speech, and the environment.

No Way Out
D.O.A. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

the line was made from the left to the right, what was left in the middle was nowhere in sight. you've had your chances, you've had your time. don't waste the rest, get in line. nobody knows, nobody cares that the world's goin' nowhere. nobody knows, nobody cares, that we're all goin' nowhere. there's no way out. the part's for you, it'll fit in nicely, one size fits, all precisely. now you're a man, a man for all ages any size fits all cages.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of D.O.A.'s song "No Way Out" are a commentary on the current state of society. The line mentioned in the beginning of the song, “the line was made from the left to the right, what was left in the middle was nowhere in sight,” could be interpreted as the division between political ideologies, with the extremes on both sides effectively shutting out any sort of moderate or centrist viewpoint. The message here is that everyone is choosing a side and there’s no room for compromise or understanding.

The lyrics then move on to address the individual, saying “you’ve had your chances, you’ve had your time. don’t waste the rest, get in line.” This could be about personal responsibility and the notion that one should take advantage of the opportunities presented to them rather than simply going through the motions. The line “nobody knows, nobody cares that the world’s goin’ nowhere” highlights the apathy of many individuals towards the world’s problems, as if they are convinced that nothing they do or say will make a difference. The emphasis on “nowhere” throughout the song denotes a feeling of aimlessness or stagnation.

The song ends with the line “there’s no way out” which could be interpreted as the realization that there’s no escaping the oppressive systems and norms that govern our lives. The final verse mentions the idea of the “one size fits all” mentality, implying that we are all expected to conform to the expectations of others in some way or another. In essence, “No Way Out” is a bleak assessment of the state of modern society and a call to action for individuals to take control of their own lives and strive for change.

Line by Line Meaning

the line was made from the left to the right, what was left in the middle was nowhere in sight.
The path to success has been predetermined, but those in the middle are forgotten and ignored.

you've had your chances, you've had your time. don't waste the rest, get in line.
You've had opportunities to make a difference, but now it's time to fall in line and follow the system like everyone else.

nobody knows, nobody cares that the world's goin' nowhere. nobody knows, nobody cares, that we're all goin' nowhere.
Most people are unaware and apathetic about the fact that society is stagnant and we are not making any real progress.

there's no way out.
There is no escape from the oppressive and restrictive nature of the societal system.

the part's for you, it'll fit in nicely, one size fits, all precisely. now you're a man, a man for all ages any size fits all cages.
The system has a place for you and expects you to conform to it seamlessly, no matter what your individuality or aspirations may be. You are now just another cog in the machine, meant to fit any mold and exist within any limitations imposed upon you.

Contributed by London H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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