In 1977, Friday was a founder of Virgin Prunes (legendary avant-garde post-punk group). 1987-2005 he composed & performed with, musical partner, Maurice Seezer. He released his 4th solo album CATHOLIC in April 2011.
Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer albums (with Maurice), inc: "Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves" (1989), "Adam 'N' Eve" (1992) & "Shag Tobacco" (1995).
Film scores & soundtracks include Get Rich or Die Tryin', In America, In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, Disco Pigs, Short Cuts and Romeo + Juliet. Gavin worked with producer Hal Willner on the music for director Abel Ferrera's movie Chelsea on the Rocks (2008). He has also collaborated with the English composer Gavin Bryars, setting Shakespeare's sonnets to music.
Stage Shows include the Kurt Weill Extravaganza Ich Liebe Dich, the one man show I didn't come up the Liffey in a bubble and Gavin's tribute to German music, Tomorrow belongs to me.
Gavin Friday played the character Billy Hatchet in Neil Jordan's film Breakfast in Pluto (2006). He recorded three songs for the film, two of which are featured on the soundtrack album: 'Sand' and 'Wig Wam Bam'.
Sites: Discogs, YouTube and Official Site
The Big No No
Gavin Friday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To hear the crap that comes out of the mouth.
The silent can say more... waiting and watching to see...
(I see)... what will be?
A hate... that goes by the name of concern
Feel touched... stand and just watch the thing die
So mercy is money, I saw it on t.v. ... come see it
On t.v. ... it's money not mercy
The world according to me."
The prigs... who think they are whiter than white
Are sick... to judge by the filth of their minds
Whatever your pleasure, a kiss or a blow, then go
Or just say no!
In my face... "melthead" served up on a plate
What's next? the best things in life are for sale.
We got it! (yeah!) you want it? (no!) the singer can
Sing (wow!) the singer can sell! the singer can sell!
"not for you! no! I won't bend or change, the way I see
The world according to me."
No! no! no! it's the little "yes yes" or the big "no! no!"
(day by day, day by day) "we love you so!"
(day by day, day by day) "oh! what a drag."
(day by day, day by day) "I don't believe"
(day by day, day by day) "so who are you? "
... life goes on ...
The little "yes yes" the big "no! no!" ... sit right down
It's the start of the show ...
(day by day, day by day) "wow! you don't say!"
(day by day, day by day) "oh! by the way!"
(day by day, day by day) "excuse me please, I have to go"
Day by day, day by day, life goes on.
The lyrics of Gavin Friday's "The Big No No" explore the facades people put on in society and the truth beneath the surface. The song starts by questioning what is the truth of everything we know and commenting on the nonsense people talk about. The silence can convey much more than words, and we should wait and watch to see what will happen. The hate in this world is often disguised by the name of concern, and people feel touched to watch things die without doing anything about it. The refrain of the song, "not for you! no! I won't bend or change, the way I see the world according to me," is a reaffirmation that people should stay true to themselves and not conform to societal expectations.
The song talks about the prigs who feel they are whiter than white, but they are sick and judge others based on the filth in their own minds. Whether one's preference is a kiss or a blow, everyone should have the choice to do what they want and just say no. The singer can sell anything, and life goes on with the little "yes yes" and the big "no no" decisions we make daily. It is ultimately about the choices we make in life and the facades we put on to get what we want.
Overall, "The Big No No" is a commentary on society and the hypocrisy and facades people put on to get what they want. The song encourages people to stay true to themselves and not conform to societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
What is the truth of all that we know?
Questioning the validity of everything we think we know.
To hear the crap that comes out of the mouth.
Being subjected to and disgusted by the inanity put forth in speech.
The silent can say more... waiting and watching to see...
Observing in silence can convey more information and insight than words.
(I see)... what will be?
Anticipating the future and what it holds.
A hate... that goes by the name of concern
A thinly veiled resentment that pretends to be caring.
Feel touched... stand and just watch the thing die
Pretending to show compassion, but doing nothing to help those in need.
So mercy is money, I saw it on t.v. ... come see it
Broadcast portrayals of helping others are just money-making schemes.
On t.v. ... it's money not mercy
Media depicts charity as a way to make profits, not actually help people.
"not for you! no! I won't bend or change, the way I see
The world according to me."
Refusing to change one's opinion or viewpoint to accommodate others.
The prigs... who think they are whiter than white
People who believe themselves to be morally superior to others.
Are sick... to judge by the filth of their minds
Their holier-than-thou attitude is a cover for their own immoral thoughts and actions.
Whatever your pleasure, a kiss or a blow, then go
Or just say no!
Indulging in whatever desire, but refusing to be controlled by them.
In my face... "melthead" served up on a plate
Being insulted and put down in a confrontational manner.
What's next? the best things in life are for sale.
The commodification of everything, even things that should be valued for free.
We got it! (yeah!) you want it? (no!) the singer can
Sing (wow!) the singer can sell! the singer can sell!
Musicians use their talents and popularity to sell products and ideas to people who don't really want them.
"not for you! no! I won't bend or change, the way I see
The world according to me."
Continuing to be stubbornly devoted to one's beliefs despite the opinions of others.
No! no! no! it's the little "yes yes" or the big "no! no!"
(day by day, day by day) "we love you so!"
(day by day, day by day) "oh! what a drag."
(day by day, day by day) "I don't believe"
(day by day, day by day) "so who are you? "
... life goes on ...
Life is a collection of experiences that can be either positive or negative, but it continues inexorably regardless.
The little "yes yes" the big "no! no!" ... sit right down
It's the start of the show ...
Life is a performance, with people constantly changing their opinions based on their own interests and needs.
(day by day, day by day) "wow! you don't say!"
(day by day, day by day) "oh! by the way!"
(day by day, day by day) "excuse me please, I have to go"
Conversational niceties that don't lead to authentic communication or connection.
Day by day, day by day, life goes on.
An acknowledgement of the steady march of time and life's ongoing flow.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind