Shortly after forming they enlisted Milo Aukerman and made what started out a surf band into a full fledged punk unit. Descendents have diverged from their punk peers, perhaps because of the Beach Boys influences, and sang about topics that touched many young punks' lives like parents, food, girls and being rejected.
This band separated due to Milo actually going to college (he attended the University of California, San Diego) just like the title of their debut. This and other constraints have made them famous for their long hiatuses, which are sometimes a decade span in length. The band has now spread out across their country of origin and their future is somewhat uncertain.
Lead singer Milo Aukerman currently resides in Newark, Delaware. He was a biochemist for the internationally known DuPont Chemical company, which is based out of Delaware. However, whenever the end of Descendents seemed to be approaching, Milo popped up again and the band released a new record. Aukerman then later returned to his academic duties in teaching biochemistry. He then quit his academic life to pursue a career in music fulltime.
I'm The One
Descendents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the one
I've been here for you all along
I'm the one
Whose shoulder you've been cryin' on
Nice guys finish last
No one knows as good as me
And you come to me for sympathy
And tell me that I'm not your type
Still you call me late at night
Every time he picks a fight
After all he's said and all he's done
[Chorus]
He's a total dick
That's the truth and you know I'm right
From everything you say
There's no way he'll ever do you right
You love a man who treats you wrong
You think you'll change him
But you're wrong
He'll use you, he'll say so long
After all he's said and all he's done
[Chorus]
I'm the one
Who wants you more than anything
You don't feel the same way
You made it clear to me
But I'll stand my ground
And maybe you'll hear what I've been sayin'
After all I've said and all I've done
[Chorus]
The Descendents' song "I'm the One" speaks of unrequited love and the struggles of the "nice guy" who is always there for the girl he loves, but is never chosen as a partner. The song's chorus repeats the line "I'm the one," emphasizing the singer's steadfastness and loyalty despite never receiving reciprocated love. The song's lyrics describe the girl coming to the singer for sympathy after fights with her boyfriend who is described as a "total dick." Despite acknowledging that the girl does not see him as her type, the singer confesses that he wants her more than anything and will stand his ground.
The first verse highlights the struggles of being the "nice guy," and how society often rewards people who are aggressive and assertive while overlooking those who are kind and empathetic. The singer mentions that "nice guys finish last," acknowledging that even though he is always there for the girl, she does not see him in a romantic light. The verse's final lines suggest that the singer is aware that the girl calls him late at night only when she and her boyfriend are in a fight, highlighting the fickle nature of their relationship.
The second verse explicitly states that the girl's boyfriend is a "total dick" and that there is no way he will ever treat her right. Despite acknowledging this, the girl still loves him and thinks she can change him, which the singer understands will ultimately lead to disappointment. The singer's frustration is palpable as he sings of the girl's misguided love and his own unrequited feelings, emphasizing the emotional toll that unreturned love takes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the one
I am the person who has been supporting you
I've been here for you all along
I have been helping and supporting you for a long time
Whose shoulder you've been cryin' on
You have been coming to me to express your emotions and seek comfort
Nice guys finish last
People who are kind and understanding like me are often taken advantage of and not appreciated
No one knows as good as me
I am the only one who has truly understood your situation and been supportive of you
We're just good friends
We are not in a romantic relationship, just close friends
And you come to me for sympathy
You seek comfort and understanding from me
And tell me that I'm not your type
You have explicitly told me that you are not romantically interested in me
Still you call me late at night
You contact me even when you are feeling low in the middle of the night
Every time he picks a fight
You only contact me when you are having issues with him
After all he's said and all he's done
Despite his previous and current behavior towards you
He's a total dick
He is a disrespectful and cruel person
That's the truth and you know I'm right
You are aware of his behavior yet choose to stay with him
From everything you say
All your words and actions point to his negative character
There's no way he'll ever do you right
There is no possibility of him treating you right in the future
You love a man who treats you wrong
You have affection for someone who mistreats you
You think you'll change him
You believe that you can positively influence his behavior
But you're wrong
However, your belief is incorrect
He'll use you, he'll say so long
He will take advantage of you and discard you eventually
Who wants you more than anything
I have strong romantic feelings for you
You don't feel the same way
You do not share the same level of romantic interest in me
You made it clear to me
You have explicitly expressed your lack of romantic interest in me
But I'll stand my ground
I will remain firm in my feelings for you
And maybe you'll hear what I've been sayin'
Perhaps you will eventually understand my feelings and perspective
After all I've said and all I've done
Despite my efforts to express myself and support you
[Chorus]
Repeated lyrics of the song's chorus
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GLENN DANZIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Selene Chagoya
I'm the one
I've been here for you all along
I'm the one
Whose shoulder you've been cryin' on
Nice guys finish last
No one knows as good as me
We're just good friends
And you come to me for sympathy
And tell me that I'm not your type
Still you call me late at night
Every time he picks a fight
After all he's said and all he's done
I'm the one
I've been here for you all along
I'm the one
Whose shoulder you've been cryin' on
He's a total dick
That's the truth and you know I'm right
From everything you say
There's no way he'll ever do you right
You love a man who treats you wrong
You think you'll change him
But you're wrong
He'll use you, he'll say so long
After all he's said and all he's done
I'm the one
I've been here for you all along
I'm the one
Whose shoulder you've been cryin' on
I'm the one
Who wants you more than anything
You don't feel the same way
You made it clear to me
But I'll stand my ground
And maybe you'll hear what I've been sayin'
After all I've said and all I've done
I'm the one
I've been here for you all along
I'm the one
Whose shoulder you've been cryin' on
Larry Shepherd
As i now go into my late 40s, i still believe the descendents are the greatest bands in punk rock.
Darren Pierazek
Preach it, brotha! 44 here.
Zephyr0406
I may only be 17, but ever since 5 years ago I've come to the same conclusion that Descendents and ALL are indeed the greatest bands in punk rock.
ONI
50 here and the descendants were the soundtrack to my life. Miss those days, and this always takes me back. Love these guys for eternity.
Cardboard Angels
No doubt!!!
Chris Chan Daily News
Them, propagandhi or against me
Painted Gypsy Co
Fourty years old and I still religiously listen to Milo. I’m still that awkward teenage girl smoking behind the gym. Thank you Milo for always making me feel nerdy and pretty awesome. I love these guys
MichaelHansenFUN
back then you could get away with that
scottt beee
awesome
Jay Voorhees
44 and I'm still the disappearing boi deep inside.