They made their first recordings available in late 1979 via the SF Underground 7" compilation series released via Steve Tupper's newly-formed Subterranean Records. In 1981 a 7" followed Love Canal and Ha Ha Ha and the original lineup made 2 full-length studio albums on Subterranean, 1982's Generic and the 1984 followup Gone Fishin'.
Flipper's music was very shambolic and noisy, and oft considered "slow" for a punk band of the time. In many early shows, the band had half the audience on stage with them singing backup vocals, and encouraged horn players to join them for their anthem, Sex Bomb -- and the crowding on stage usually knocked the stringed instruments out of tune. Guitarist Ted Falconi installed spikes in the head of his guitar to help prevent this, but blaring, out-of-tune dissonance became part of the band's signature sound.
Bassist/vocalist Will Shatter died in 1987 of a heroin overdose. The remaining members reformed for the 1993 album American Grafishy on Def American Recordings which re-issued Generic, and a compilation called Sex Bomb Baby on Rick Rubin and Henry Rollins' Infinite Zero label. This relationship soured and the surviving Flipper members allegedly were duped out of their rights to their back catalog. Bassist/vocalist Bruce Loose got in a car accident which severely injured his spine resulting in a crippling injury which requires him to use a cane. Apparently drummer Steve Depace was in the works of writing an autobiography of his Flipper experiences to the irk of his band mates. Bruce most recently performed as Not Flipper at 924 Gilman and reunited as Flipper for a show in SF with surviving members Falconi and Depace. In December 2006, former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic joined the band. On 22 September 2008, due to responsibilities at home, Novoselic announced his departure from the band.
You Nought Me
Flipper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life's a drag when you're bored all the time
Putzing around trying to find
Waiting for something I can't explain
But they look at me
And they say
You're only bored when you're boring
You're only bored when you're boring
But have you rea the news today
Sometimes life is such a fun game
Other times timesit's just so plain
Expected to conjure up some new plan
Expected to be more than I am
They wait to see just what I do
But nothing sweet nothing is what I choose
So I look at them and say
You're only bored when you're boring
You're only bored when you're boring
You're only bored when you're boring
That's what I choose
I'm told it's just a phase I'm going through
I'm told that nothing is not so new
Well I know that I'm not so dumb
So you can go fuck or suck your thumb
Or take more drugs and play "on the run"
But I've got something better to do
So I look at myself and I say
I have nothingonly nothing it's not so true
I have nothing sweet nothing how about you
I have nothing oh nothing nothing to do
Ant that's not so new
The lyrics to Flipper's "You Nought Me" seem to be centered around boredom and societal pressures to always be doing something or living up to certain expectations. The singer in the song is struggling with feeling bored and unmotivated, searching for meaning or a purpose. They express frustration with being told that boredom is a result of being boring oneself, and feel judged or scrutinized by others for not being more productive or adventurous.
However, the singer ultimately rejects the idea that they must constantly be doing something or trying to impress others. They even embrace the idea of having "nothing" to do, seeing it as an opportunity to do something different or to simply exist. The line "I have nothingonly nothing it's not so true" highlights the idea that there can be value in doing nothing, or in rejecting the pressure to always be productive or busy.
Overall, "You Nought Me" is a song about the struggle with boredom and societal expectations. It challenges the idea that constantly being busy or entertaining is necessary for a fulfilling life, and encourages listeners to embrace moments of emptiness or inactivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I just don't know what to do
At times, I feel lost and unsure of my purpose.
Life's a drag when you're bored all the time
Being constantly bored makes life uninteresting and mundane.
Putzing around trying to find
I'm aimlessly wandering around hoping to discover something new.
Waiting for something I can't explain
I'm waiting for a deeper meaning or purpose that I cannot articulate or comprehend.
But they look at me
Others observe my behavior and actions.
And they say
They offer their opinions and judgments.
You're only bored when you're boring
They believe that boredom is a result of a lack of creativity and initiative.
But have you read the news today
I question the validity of their perspective and their awareness of world events.
Sometimes life is such a fun game
Life can be exciting and enjoyable at times.
Other times it's just so plain
However, at other times, it can be incredibly dull and uneventful.
Expected to conjure up some new plan
There is an expectation that I am innovative and capable of devising something fresh and unique.
Expected to be more than I am
People anticipate that I am capable of exceeding my current abilities and accomplishing more.
They wait to see just what I do
Others are patiently observing my next move and decisions.
But nothing sweet nothing is what I choose
I decide not to do anything exciting or noteworthy, choosing instead to remain stagnant.
So I look at them and say
I respond to their judgment and expectations.
That's what I choose
I stand by my decision to do nothing and reject their notion that I'm boring.
I'm told it's just a phase I'm going through
People believe my disinterest and lack of motivation is temporary and will pass.
I'm told that nothing is not so new
Others assert that feeling aimless and unfulfilled is a common occurrence and not a groundbreaking situation.
Well I know that I'm not so dumb
I have the self-awareness to recognize that I am not unintelligent despite my lack of action.
So you can go fuck or suck your thumb
I dismiss the idea that my inactivity is a result of my lack of intellect and dismiss their opinions with a vulgar statement.
Or take more drugs and play "on the run"
I mock the notion that their solution to my boredom is to resort to substance abuse and escapism.
But I've got something better to do
I have a plan or activity that I find more fulfilling than their suggestions.
I have nothing only nothing it's not so true
Despite my lack of action, I recognize that I still possess some value and worth.
I have nothing sweet nothing how about you
I question if others can relate to my feelings of emptiness and lack of fulfillment.
I have nothing oh nothing nothing to do
I acknowledge that I am currently without a purpose or activity to pursue.
And that's not so new
I recognize that this is a common human experience and not a unique situation.
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.