At 17, he relocated to Montreal, QC to attend university, and began working in nightclubs cleaning tables and DJing. He started writing music at this time, incorporating the unique blend of sounds he grew up surrounded by. He started experimenting with music production and rapping in 2013, and dropped out of school to relocate to Los Angeles and pursue music full time.
Adopting the Grandson moniker while living in LA, he dove deeply into rock influences such as Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin, while also listening to rap/R&B music emerging out of Toronto and alternative acts such as Twenty One Pilots and Hiatus Kaiyote. He found a small community of musicians to work and perform with here in Los Angeles. The live tries to create a frantic, mosh pit-inducing cathartic release of energy for concert-goers, influenced by early punk and grunge music.
Searching for his voice and for meaning in today’s divisive, chaotic world, Grandson confronts the most pressing issues of his generation through his songwriting, such as financial inequality, governmental and environmental accountability, and social justice, giving these topics a soundtrack with a genuine sense of urgency and frustration. The music also touches on adolescence, relationships, and the insecurities and difficulties of growing up through your 20s.
Oh No!!!
Grandson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I'm getting high again
Take another hit to the diaphragm
I never drew the diagram
How to deal with this shit
So I steal and lie again, whoa
You're my dream, you're my nightmare
Life is a bitch, she don't fight fair
I was hoping that you'd notice my despair
Run away from the pain, I don't care, 'cause
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down and I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
This cycle is repetitive
Sex, rock 'n' roll, sedatives
Degenerates, need medicine
Spend money for the hell of it
I don't give a fuck what they selling
Like I'm celibate, no
And I know I'm a piece of shit
Should've learned by now, peace
Need it quick or a piece of it
In school they ain't teaching it
Each of us tryna find release
But it seems a bit slow
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down, I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Now I drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
So I stick, poke with my kinfolk
Gimme drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
We taking on the system 'cause it broke, woo!
(Oh no!)
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
The song "Oh No!!!" by Grandson is a reflection on the repetitiveness of cycles in life and the struggle with substance abuse. The lyrics talk about using drugs and alcohol as a way to deal with difficult situations and feelings of despair, while also acknowledging that this behavior is not productive or healthy. The chorus ("Old man trouble back again, fucking up my plans") captures the sense that life is unpredictable and full of challenges, but also implies that the singer is using substances as a way to escape responsibility and avoid dealing with these challenges. The lines "Now I drink, smoke, whatever you're selling, I'm a sick joke / My president's a felon, and I can't cope" further highlight the sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with the world.
The verses also criticize the system and institutions that perpetuate this cycle of substance abuse and despair. The lines "First they incite the violence, turn around and then they invite the silence / Burn it down and I think I need some guidance / The kids don't stand a chance" suggest that social and political leaders manipulate people into violent behavior and then ignore the consequences. The song ultimately presents a dark and cynical view of the world and society, but it also implies a sense of determination and rebellion, as expressed in the final lines: "We taking on the system 'cause it broke, woo!"
Line by Line Meaning
There's smoke in the sky again
The world is in chaos and I'm feeling overwhelmed
So I'm getting high again
I turn to drugs to escape reality
Take another hit to the diaphragm
I use drugs to numb my pain
I never drew the diagram
I don't know how to cope with life's struggles
How to deal with this shit
I'm lost and confused on how to handle my problems
So I steal and lie again, whoa
I turn to immoral actions to survive
You're my dream, you're my nightmare
The person I rely on is both my savior and destroyer
Life is a bitch, she don't fight fair
Life is cruel and unpredictable
Leave you right there
People disappoint and abandon me
I was hoping that you'd notice my despair
I want someone to see my pain and help me
Run away from the pain, I don't care, 'cause
I try to escape my problems without regard for the consequences
First they incite the violence
Those in power provoke conflict
Turn around and then they invite the silence
They later try to quiet the chaos
Burn it down and I think I need some guidance
I feel lost in the midst of destruction
The kids don't stand a chance
The younger generation is at a disadvantage
No, the kids don't stand a chance
They are set up for failure
Old man trouble back again
My difficulties have returned
Fucking up my plans, like
My life goals are disrupted
I'm back to the black again
I'm returning to my dark and destructive ways
Getting fucked up again
I'm self-sabotaging with drugs
This cycle is repetitive
The same patterns of behavior are continuing
Sex, rock 'n' roll, sedatives
I pursue pleasure and escape through various means
Degenerates, need medicine
People who have lost their way need help to recover
Spend money for the hell of it
I waste money on temporary fixes
I don't give a fuck what they selling
I'm not interested in what society is promoting
Like I'm celibate, no
I resist temptations like I am abstaining from sex
And I know I'm a piece of shit
I am aware of my flaws and shortcomings
Should've learned by now, peace
I should have figured out how to achieve inner calm by now
Need it quick or a piece of it
I seek instant gratification for my problems
In school they ain't teaching it
I wasn't taught the skills to cope with life
Each of us tryna find release
Everyone is looking for a way to escape
But it seems a bit slow
The process of change feels too gradual
Now I drink, smoke
I continue to use substances to cope
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
I am a broken person who can't be fixed
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
Even the leader of my country is corrupt and it's overwhelming
I'm in love with the pain
I am addicted to my own misery
So I stick, poke with my kinfolk
I engage in harmful behaviors with my family and friends
We taking on the system 'cause it broke, woo!
We are fighting back against a broken society
Oh no!
Expressing disappointment and hopelessness
Old man trouble back again
My struggles have resurfaced
Thought I had the upper hand
I thought I had things under control
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jordan Benjamin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julia
There's smoke in the sky again
So I'm getting high again
Take another hit to the diaphragm
I never drew the diagram
How to deal with this shit
So I steal and lie again, whoa
You're my dream, you're my nightmare
Life is a bitch, she don't fight fair
Leave you right there
I was hoping that you'd notice my despair
Run away from the pain, I don't care, 'cause
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down and I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
This cycle is repetitive
Sex, rock 'n' roll, sedatives
Degenerates, need medicine
Spend money for the hell of it
I don't give a fuck what they selling
Like I'm celibate, no
And I know I'm a piece of shit
Should've learned by now, peace
Need it quick or a piece of it
In school they ain't teaching it
Each of us tryna find release
But it seems a bit slow
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down, I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Now I drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
So I stick, poke with my kinfolk
Gimme drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
We taking on the system 'cause it broke, woo!
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Houd Ammari
[Verse 1]
There's smoke in the sky again
So I’m getting high again
Take another hit to the diaphragm
I never drew the diagram
How to deal with this shit
So I steal and lie again, whoa
You're my dream, you're my nightmare
Life is a bitch, she don’t fight fair
Leave you right there
I was hoping that you'd notice my despair
Run away from the pain, I don't care, 'cause
[Pre-Chorus]
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down and I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
[Chorus]
Old man tapped my back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man tapped my back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
[Verse 2]
This cycle is repetitive
Sex, rock ’n’ roll, sedatives
Degenerates, need medicine
Spend money for the hell of it
I don't give a fuck what they selling
Like I’m celibate, no
And I know I'm a piece of shit
Should'a learned by now, peace
Need it quick or a piece of it
In school they ain't teaching it
Each of us tryna find release
But it seems a bit slow
[Pre-Chorus]
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down, I think I need some guidance
The kids don’t stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
[Chorus]
Old man tapped my back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man tapped my back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
[Bridge]
I drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
So I stick, poke with my kinfolk
Gimme drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
We taking on the system 'cause it broke, woo!
[Drop]
(Oh no!)
[Chorus]
Old man tapped my back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man tapped my back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Dickhard Thundercock
Anyone posted the lyrics so I will
"Oh No!!!"
There's smoke in the sky again
So I'm getting high again
Take another hit to the diaphragm
I never drew the diagram
How to deal with this shit
So I steal and lie again, whoa
You're my dream, you're my nightmare
Life is a bitch, she don't fight fair
Leave you right there
I was hoping that you'd notice my despair
Run away from the pain, I don't care, 'cause
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down and I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
This cycle is repetitive
Sex, rock 'n' roll, sedatives
Degenerates, need medicine
Spend money for the hell of it
I don't give a fuck what they selling
Like I'm celibate, no
And I know I'm a piece of shit
Shoulda learned by now, peace
Need it quick, or a piece of it
In school they ain't teaching it
Each of us tryna find release
But it seems a bit slow
First they incite the violence
Turn around and then they invite the silence
Burn it down and I think I need some guidance
The kids don't stand a chance
No, the kids don't stand a chance
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Though I drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
So I stick, poke with my kinfolk
Gimme drink, smoke
Whatever you selling, I'm a sick joke
My president's a felon, and I can't cope
I'm in love with the pain
We taking on the system 'cause it broke, woo
(Oh no!)
Old man trouble back again
Fucking up my plans, like
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
Old man trouble back again
Thought I had the upper hand
Oh no! Oh no!
I'm back to the black again
Getting fucked up again
Oh no! Oh no!
NotDelivery
Grandson really gives me this familiar feeling and it’s really comforting. And then he’s singing about overdosing, school shootings, overall craziness
Joshthetrenchcoatpianist
Its the feeling that you won't stand for violence and that this helps understand others views
Joshthetrenchcoatpianist
Even if they are bad
NotDelivery
gacha josh naw its more like smelling a really soothing and familiar smell after be sent away to boarding school
JadeStudios
NotDelivery Somehow, I agree.
ransen theberge
I get the same feeling with the songs Handlebars by Flobot and Wires by The Neighborhood, highly recommend both of those, though they definitely sound a bit different than most of Grandson's stuff
Littlebastard 1
Depression: I’m about to end this man’s whole career
Grandson: hold my electric guitar
eugean stepantsov
This is my golden pick for the day. Cheers mate. You've won 1 internet points. Also equal to 14.5 smolbois
Queen of Cards
Double those points, Depression don't you dare drop that guitar!!!
Alas
It's funny because that electric guitar is a detail that's very easy to hear in this music videos-
wHo cArEs, hiS mUsiC iS aMaZiNg