The Mentals' music is characterised by poppy, accessible and well-crafted melodies and lyrics, and almost all their work showcases their ironic, satirical and self-deprecating sense of humour. They are arguably one of the most typically 'Australian' of rock groups, with their music and their satirical, good-time image deeply rooted in the milieu of Australian suburbia, despite the fact that two key members (the O'Doherty brothers) were in fact immigrants from New Zealand. The group's art school background and visual design skills also made them pioneers of the music video form in Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and their videos rank as some of the funniest and most imaginative produced in Australia at that time.
The "classic" lineup of the group, which boasted four songwriters and lasted more than twenty years, was:
* Martin Plaza (né Martin Murphy) -- vocals, guitar
* Reg Mombassa (né Chris O'Doherty) -- lead guitar, vocals
* Andrew "Greedy" Smith -- vocals, keyboards, harmonica
* Peter O'Doherty -- bass, vocals
* Wayne "Bird" De Lisle (né David Twohill) -- drums
This article continues at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_As_Anything
He's Just No Good for You
Mental As Anything Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've done this kind of thing before
You've been kicked in the teeth
And now you're goin' back for more
Come with me - get out of the mess you're in
You take your life in your hand
Every time you fool around with him
You deserve a whole lot better than that
Your memory must be short
Or you find it very easy to forgive
You must be a little bit crazy
If you think that's how you ought to live
He's just no good for you, why are you goin' back
You deserve a whole lot better than that
Stop and think - while you've got the chance
Stop and think - or you'll be over your head
In a doomed roma-ance
He's just no good for you, why are you goin' back
You deserve a whole lot better than that
Don't you get the feelin' that
You've done this kind of thing before
You've been kicked in the teeth
And now you're goin' back for more and more and more-ore
He's just no good for you, why are you goin' back
You deserve a whole lot better than that
Oh he's just no good for you (that is just no good)
Why are you goin' back (that is just no good)
You deserve a whole lot better than tha-a-at
Oh he's just no good for you (that is just no good)
Why are you goin' back (that is just no good)
You deserve a whole lot better than tha-at
The lyrics of "He's Just No Good for You" by Mental As Anything talks about a woman who has been hurt before but keeps going back to the same guy who is not good for her. The singer is trying to convince her to come with him and get out of the mess she's in. The song suggests that the woman might have a short memory or she is blinded by her love and is unable to make a good decision for herself. The chorus strongly emphasizes this message by repeating that the man is just no good for her and she deserves better.
The singer urges the woman to stop and think while she has the chance, or she'll be in over her head in a doomed romance. This song is a caution to someone who's been hurt and still can't see that they're repeating the same mistake, and it's time for them to take a step back and reconsider their actions. The lyrics use repetition to emphasize the message, while the upbeat tempo and the catchy melody make it a fun song to listen to, despite the warning in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you get the feelin' that
You have a sense of déjà vu
You've done this kind of thing before
You have been in a similar situation in the past
You've been kicked in the teeth
You have been hurt or betrayed
And now you're goin' back for more
You are returning to the same situation despite the risks
Come with me - get out of the mess you're in
I suggest you leave this behind and start anew
You take your life in your hand
You are risking your own well-being
Every time you fool around with him
Whenever you interact with him in a romantic or sexual manner
He's just no good for you, why are you goin' back
He is a negative influence on you and it's unwise to continue with him
You deserve a whole lot better than that
You are worthy of a healthier relationship
Your memory must be short
You seem to forget the negative experiences quickly
Or you find it very easy to forgive
Or you have a tendency to give second chances easily
You must be a little bit crazy
You might not be making rational decisions
If you think that's how you ought to live
If you believe that this is an acceptable way of life for you
Stop and think - while you've got the chance
I advise you to take a moment to reflect before making any decisions
Or you'll be over your head
Or else, you will be in too deep
In a doomed roma-ance
In a relationship that is destined to fail
He's just no good for you, why are you goin' back
He is detrimental to your overall well-being and a return would be unwise
Don't you get the feelin' that
You have a sense of déjà vu
And now you're goin' back for more and more and more-ore
You are repeating the pattern of harmful behavior
Oh he's just no good for you (that is just no good)
He is not a positive force in your life
Why are you goin' back (that is just no good)
Why are you choosing to return despite the negative impact?
You deserve a whole lot better than tha-a-at
You deserve a partner who elevates your life, not brings it down
Oh he's just no good for you (that is just no good)
He is not a good match for your needs or desires
Why are you goin' back (that is just no good)
What motivates you to continue this relationship despite knowing it's unhealthy?
You deserve a whole lot better than tha-at
You should aim for a more fulfilling and positive relationship
Contributed by Logan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stephenball289
Went through Google Street View today. The images are dated 2009 but from the images the following houses are still there:
22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 40, 50, 58, corner milk bar
As others have mentioned, other houses may have gone since the Street view images were taken. Remeber I am referring to 2009 images.
Numbers 38 and 44 may have been renovated from the old home and not merely leveled completely.
So sad as this was a typical Aussie suburban street landscape!
And I echo all the previous sentiments: great clip, great Aussie band.
@alanstrom2221
RIP Andrew ' Greedy ' Smith
He was a true gentleman.
He was a truly great song writer and musician.
He was a very funny and cheeky guy.
He was very tall and larger than life.
Greedy was a very much loved icon of Australian music.
He will be missed>
@3flick3
Rip greedy, much loved xxx
@David-sb7vg
Yeah RIP Greedy :(
Wasn’t this filmed where they came from in the Shire? Saw them at the Narrabeen Antler, Governors Pleasure down the Rocks under a ‘local band’ tag and DY RSL. The best!
@paulineodea8069
I miss Mental As Anything , rest in peace Greedy!
@AndrewJens
@@David-sb7vg It was filmed in Scarborough Street, Monterey NSW.
@ianjordan5532
Nailed it mate
@brianmazzer6383
God that’s brilliant. So Australian. Pure 1980’s
@curaa74
I was 12 and I was there when they filmed this; what a day it was. Not only did it create a buz around Scarborough street but around the neighboring streets in Monterey. It's sad to see most of the houses gone. Not many people can say that part of their child hood was captured on a film clip.
@lucymoses9011
Lucky you!
@marty-fh1rw
Sans Souci?