01
Pop-punk band, Hangnail, formed in Wisconsin in the late 90's by Mike Middleton (lead singer/bass), Nick Radovanovic (lead guitar), Matt Wendt (rhythm guitar), and Jacob Dosemagen (drums). They were signed to Tooth & Nail records and released three albums under that banner - a self-titled disc in 2000, Facing Changes in 2001 and Transparent in 2003. They broke up shortly after their third album came out. Nick Radovanovic later joined Acceptance as their drummer.
02
Formed in 1995 and hailing from Painesville, OH, Hangnail was a mix of thrash, punk and Jap inspired HC who released a massive amount of 7"s, split 7"s and split LPs. The band had members from: Ringworm, Midnight, Boulder, Integrity, Terminal Lovers and many more.
03
Stoner/ Heavy Rock and Hangnail hailed from the UK. The band was on Rise Above Records and released two full length albums and one 10" mini-LP. Members of this band later played in Rise to Addiction, Cradle of Filth or Gorerotted.
04
Death Metal / Grindcore band from New Orleans Louisiana. This band featured Ben Falgoust (Paralysis/Soilent Green/Goatwhore) on vocals, Mike Howes (Mule Skinner)-guitar, Ben Marrs (Exhumed)-bass and Todd Capiton (Flesh Parade)-drums. They released one demo in 1992
Don't look back
Hangnail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a wavering step we make headway on covering lies
We often pretend that the burden is light
yet we struggle to move ahead
Don't ever look back on where you've been
It's where your going to fall in
Don't wait for the moment still to come
Every word that's been said,
It's overwhelming the cost and effective in wearing us thin
It gets to you head,
the frustration incurred by addition to rising walls
The lyrics to Hangnail's "Don't Look Back" speak of the struggle of moving forward with the weight of lies and self-absorption weighing one down. The singer acknowledges that they often pretend the burden is light but in reality it is an uphill battle. The advice given by the song is to avoid looking back on the past and instead focus on the present because it is where you can make a difference.
The lyrics are relatable to many people as they highlight the struggle that comes with being human, dealing with issues such as self-doubt, guilt, and the burden of the past. The lines "Don't ever look back on where you've been/It's where your going to fall in" signify the danger of dwelling on past mistakes and a reminder to live in the present.
The song also speaks of the frustration that can come with the accumulation of our problems, the "addition to rising walls." This is a common feeling when dealing with mental health issues or personal struggles, and the song offers a way to combat it, by focusing on the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Self absorption sets in
We become overly focused on ourselves
With a wavering step we make headway on covering lies
We struggle to move forward while hiding the truth from ourselves and others
We often pretend that the burden is light
We try to convince ourselves that our problems aren't as heavy as they really are
yet we struggle to move ahead
Despite our efforts to minimize our troubles, we still find it difficult to make progress
Don't ever look back on where you've been
Don't dwell on the past, as it will only cause you to stumble in the present
It's where your going to fall in
Focusing on the past will prevent you from moving forward and achieving your goals
Don't wait for the moment still to come
Don't hold out hope for something that may never happen
The here and now has just begun
Focus on the present, as it is the only time you have to make a difference in your life
Every word that's been said,
All the things that have been communicated
It's overwhelming the cost and effective in wearing us thin
The weight of our words can have a significant impact on our mental state, causing us to become emotionally drained
It gets to you head,
Our thoughts become consumed by these overwhelming feelings
the frustration incurred by addition to rising walls
The frustration we feel as we continue to build barriers around ourselves, making it difficult to connect with others
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.