Jack + Eliza is the name chosen by the singing and songwriting partners of … Read Full Bio ↴Jack + Eliza is the name chosen by the singing and songwriting partners of Jack Staffen and Eliza Callahan, both of them musicians since their early teens, to produce lo-fi, stripped down tunes reminiscent of 60s surf rock and pop music. The duo are perhaps best known for the songs "Hold the Line" and "Oh No". The Manhattan natives recently released their debut EP, titled 'No Wonders', and they picked up critical attention for being a part of the 'retro rock' movement alongside alternative music artists such as Tame Impala and The XX.

Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/jackandeliza

Oh No
Jack + Eliza Lyrics

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don't want to happen
And I can't make that action
And I don't want to happen
And I can't make that action

Oh no, you made it home again
And before I know
Oh no, the choice couldn't even have it

You've built a wall

Do you want to try anymore?
You've been waiting another one
Do what you want
Do you want to try anymore?
You've been waiting another one
Do what you want

Oh no, you made it home again
And before I know
Oh no, the choice couldn't even have it
You've built a wall
I don't want to happen
And I can't make that action.

Do you want to try anymore?

You've been waiting another one
Do what you want

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jack + Eliza's song Oh No delve into themes of self-doubt, fear and the inability to control the actions of others. The phrases "don't want to happen" and "I don't want to happen" suggests a fear of a certain consequence or outcome, but also an acceptance that it may be unavoidable. The repetition of "And I can't make that action" emphasizes the lack of control over the situation.

The chorus, "Oh no, you made it home again / And before I know / Oh no, the choice couldn't even have it / You've built a wall" describes the feeling of being trapped or blocked by someone else's decisions. The line "the choice couldn't even have it" suggests that the choice was never really there to begin with, and the line "you've built a wall" implies that the other person has intentionally created a barrier between them.

The verses each end with the question "Do you want to try anymore?" which highlights the singer's uncertainty about the future of their relationship. The repetition of "you've been waiting another one / do what you want" shows that the singer is willing to let the other person make their own choices, but still expresses some hesitation or confusion about their own feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

don't want to happen
I don't want this to happen

And I can't make that action
And I can't control it

And I don't want to happen
And I really don't want this to happen

Oh no, you made it home again
Oh no, you're back home again

And before I know
And before I even realized it

Oh no, the choice couldn't even have it
Oh no, we don't even have the option anymore

You've built a wall
You've put up a barrier

Do you want to try anymore?
Are you still willing to try?

You've been waiting another one
You've been waiting for someone else

Do what you want
Do whatever you feel is best

I don't want to happen
I really don't want this to happen