Formed in late 2006 because "fuck, what else are we gonna do?", HAVE NOTS played their first show at a Halloween party on October 28th at the Basement in Jamaica Plain, MA, to critical acclaim (again, that might be pushing it, but the forty or so bejeweled and bedraggled revelers who were still sober enough to stand at midnight seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely), and plan on continuing their onslaught until they have won the hearts and minds of all the oppressed peoples of the world, or until they make enough money to retire to a villa in the south of france, because, let's face it, once you have a villa in the south of france you don't really have to give a flying fuck about the oppressed peoples of the world anymore. And what the hell is a villa, anyway?
Musically, HAVE NOTS draw on a wide variety of genres, including, but not limited to, PUNK, REGGAE, HIP-HOP, COUNTRY, POP, HARDCORE, SKA, FOLK, REGGAE, and PUNK. Oh, and PUNK and REGGAE as well. Lyrically, the songwriting team of Pruitt and Cauztik attack issues like "Man, I am fuckin' WASTED!", "Dude, I don't think my girlfriend loves me anymore.", "What the fuck happened to all my money?", and the old standby "THIS PLACE IS TOTALLY GOING TO SHIT AND NO ONE'S EVEN PAYING ATTENTION! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!?", with both aplomb and reckless abandon, much to the delight of the great, lonely, downtrodden, shitfaced unwashed, and to the consternation of The Man everywhere.
What does the future hold for HAVE NOTS? Recording (sooner), touring (later), smoking (yes please), drinking (of course), and coming soon a basement, parking lot, VFW, music festival, squat, drunk tank, or club near you. Consider yourselves warned.
PROUD
Have Nots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I've been enslaved by stupid shit that should have surely meant my end,
prior convictions, while they will give me no reprieve,
I still try not to contradict things I've believedÂ…
And sometimes when I wake, the morning light,
shows me the things that I've done right,
tells me I'll make it through the day,
So if my dad could see me now would he be proud,
that I've become the man I am, that I don't do just what's allowed,
that I mean every word I say to every face that's in this crowd,
so if you're listening, I'll play it loudÂ…
And I've lashed out, just like an animal in pain,
and I've looked everywhere but me to point the blame,
and I've been selfish, and motivated by my fears,
and so impossible to deal with through the yearsÂ…
And sometimes when I hear that sad old song,
it brings me right back to my wrongs,
it brings me right back to despair,
right back to fuck it, I don't care,
but sometimes when I wake, the morning light,
shows me the things that I've done right,
tells me I'll make it through the day,
tells me I'll make it through the nightÂ…
So if my dad could see me now would he be proud,
that I've become the man I am, that I don't do just what's allowed,
that I mean every word I say to every face that's in this crowd,
so if you're listening, I'll play it loudÂ…
So if my dad could see me now would he be proud,
that I've become the man I am, that I don't do just what's allowed,
so just in case there is a heaven, and in case you're looking down,
in case you're listening, I'll play it loud,
in case you're listening, old man, I'll play it loud,
yeah, I'll play it loud.
The lyrics of "Proud" by Have Nots reflect the inner turmoil and struggle of the singer in trying to find redemption and validation for the choices they have made in their life. They talk about how they have been both brave and enslaved by their past, and how their prior convictions still haunt them. Despite this, they try to live up to their beliefs and not contradict them. The singer's inner conflicts are depicted in their tendency to lash out and blame others for their problems, as well as their selfishness and fear-driven motivations.
The singer also talks about how sometimes the morning light shows them the things they've done right, giving them hope for a better future. The repetition of this idea shows that the singer is conflicted between their past mistakes and their desire to do better in the future. The song ends with the singer expressing their desire for validation from their father, and also their hope that he would be proud of the person they have become. The repetition of "I'll play it loud" at the end of the song can be seen as a declaration of their continued determination to live up to their beliefs and make their father proud.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've been brave, and I have been there for my friends,
I have displayed courage and supported my friends when they needed me.
and I've been enslaved by stupid shit that should have surely meant my end,
I have been held down by meaningless things that could have destroyed me.
prior convictions, while they will give me no reprieve,
My past mistakes will not excuse my current behavior.
I still try not to contradict things I've believedÂ…
I strive to remain true to my beliefs and not contradict them.
And sometimes when I wake, the morning light,
Sometimes I wake up to the light of a new day.
shows me the things that I've done right,
It reminds me of the good things I have done in my life.
tells me I'll make it through the day,
It gives me hope that I can make it through the challenges of the day.
tells me I'll make it through the nightÂ…
It assures me that I can overcome the difficulties of the night.
So if my dad could see me now would he be proud,
I wonder if my father would feel proud of me if he could see me now.
that I've become the man I am, that I don't do just what's allowed,
I am proud of the person I have become and of not simply following what is expected of me.
that I mean every word I say to every face that's in this crowd,
I am honest and genuine in my interactions with others.
so if you're listening, I'll play it loudÂ…
I will speak my truth loudly and boldly for all to hear.
And I've lashed out, just like an animal in pain,
I have reacted impulsively and aggressively, like an animal in distress.
and I've looked everywhere but me to point the blame,
I have blamed others instead of taking responsibility for my actions.
and I've been selfish, and motivated by my fears,
I have acted in my own self-interest, driven by my fears.
and so impossible to deal with through the yearsÂ…
My behavior has made it challenging for others to interact with me over time.
And sometimes when I hear that sad old song,
Sometimes, certain songs bring up memories and emotions for me.
it brings me right back to my wrongs,
It reminds me of the mistakes I have made in the past.
it brings me right back to despair,
It can make me feel hopeless and discouraged again.
right back to fuck it, I don't care,
It can trigger indifference and apathy in me.
but sometimes when I wake, the morning light,
However, sometimes when I wake up in the morning,
shows me the things that I've done right,
I am reminded of the positive things I have done in my life.
tells me I'll make it through the day,
I feel hopeful that I can get through the challenges of the day.
tells me I'll make it through the nightÂ…
I believe that I can overcome the difficulties of the night.
So if my dad could see me now would he be proud,
I wonder if my father would feel proud of me if he could see me now.
that I've become the man I am, that I don't do just what's allowed,
I am proud of the person I have become and of not simply following what is expected of me.
so just in case there is a heaven, and in case you're looking down,
If there is an afterlife, and if my father is somehow watching over me,
in case you're listening, I'll play it loud,
I want him to hear me speak my truth loudly and clearly.
in case you're listening, old man, I'll play it loud,
I address my father affectionately and promise to speak my truth even louder.
yeah, I'll play it loud.
I will speak my truth boldly for all to hear.
Contributed by Caden T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
KC
obsessed with this band lately. wish they still made music :(
It Smells Like Frogs
BlankTV, thank you so much for existing :) I noticed you as a suggestion on the home page of Youtube, so I clicked on "Stay Far Away", which was a great song. I checked out your channel, and the Have Nots is such an awesome band that I would have never found out without you. Thanks :)
Schleihauf12
I was so bummed they didn't play this when I went to see them. I understand it's emotional, but this song is AWESOME! They also got cut short and didn't get to play Louisville Slugger either >:o
Loren Hirdes Jr.
had a blast playing with you guys in Grand Rapids. If you guys are ever back in town, I'll definitely be there.
manysharptongues
Someone tell me the chords to this song!
manysharptongues
Oh my fucking god. I love this song.
jsizzzle18
Yeeeeaaaaaa boyy ready to start the day! Tare it up!
Sam Cry
Finally some nice cheering music
Johnny Caper
@manysharptongues Same, someone please share chords of this song, I fucking love this song!
manysharptongues
Why. Does. This. Song. Have. So. Few. Views? FUCK THE WORLD! \m/\m/