provoking. “Sometimes political, sometimes comical, sometimes mystical, but usually danceable”. Equally at home in the intimacy of a coffee house or all out “balls to the wall” in any size club or festival. “He’s a funky, rootsy, rock and roll show”. Influenced by the Beat Poets, BeBop, Punk Rock, Rap, Blues, Anti-Folk, Soul and Funk. (All rolled into an enigmatic, unique form of self-expressed realness.)
Greg Englesson has been a street musician in the US and Canada. While pursuing a degree in philosophy he put together a music and poetry performance group in Boston called The Social Beings. Upon moving to New York City he appeared solo as The Social Pariah. He then founded and fronted the garage-punk band The Chronic Citizens and produced their debut album “Capital Cult”. It was distributed in the US and Europe... referred to by British press as a “modern R&B alternative” and was an underground hit in the USSR (on home-copied cassette tapes). The band reached cult status before it crashed and burned. Greg arose from the ashes with his book of poetry and an infinitely growing catalog of songs appearing around NYC and the Northeast
as The Chronic Citizen. He moved to Woodstock NY for the summer, became Mr.E had a child and never left.
After some film and voice-over experience and a string of Mr. E homespun demos Greg has reemerged with his first solo CD, Mr.E “Demystified”. Having played everywhere from CBGB’S and the Limelight to Union Square and the Knitting Factory Mr. E is presently booking clubs, coffee houses and festivals throughout the Northeast.
Not Now No 1
Mr. E Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and in the scheme of things we never mattered much
nobody knew what a nobody could do
so don't you feel so sad
when you think of the times
they've tried to tell you that you're no good
over and over again
we were no one then
And in this mad affair, they're onto us again
who never had a prayer of ever fitting in
we're nervous wrecks
we've got the world breathing down our necks
but your hair looks great, and that's the main thing
so come on down
the show has just begun
for two audiences of one
I'll be yours if you'll be mine
and we'll do just fine
because we're not no one now
I suppose no one knows where it all will lead
who will care, who we'll spare, how we're gonna plead
I don't know, I don't know where we're gonna fail
In their notes, down their throats, up against a wall?
because there's never ever gonna be enough time
to pay them back for what they did and said
soon the subjects will be dead
but who cares about them
'cause we're not no one now.
The song Not Now No 1 by Mr. E evokes themes of isolation, insecurity and the struggle for recognition. The lyrics paint a picture of a life where dreaming big is normal, and yet we never gratify those dreams due to our insignificant position in society. The song draws attention to the plight of the overlooked, underestimated and misjudged, those whose dreams are regularly dismissed as fantasies by an insensitive society.
The verse “nobody knew what a nobody could do, so don't you feel so sad when you think of the times, they've tried to tell you that you're no good, over and over again we were no one then, but we're together so we're not no one now” captures the message that although we may have once felt insignificant, the mere fact that we are together means we have worth and we can remind each other of our capabilities. The song further points out that the world is constantly trying to dampen our spirits, and we have to keep fighting through our doubts to attain success.
The chorus “because there's never ever gonna be enough time, to pay them back for what they did and said, soon the subjects will be dead, but who cares about them 'cause we're not no one now” is a reminder that although we may never be able to retaliate against those who hurt us or put us down, we have moved on to a better place, and their words or actions are no longer of consequence. In this context, the refrain, “we're not no one now” comes across as a positive affirmation that our lives and existence matter and we are capable of achieving our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
We would always dream of things that we could never touch
We used to have unrealistic goals that were out of reach and impossible to achieve.
and in the scheme of things we never mattered much
Compared to the bigger picture, our existence had minimal impact and importance.
nobody knew what a nobody could do
Our lack of reputation or status made it difficult for others to believe in our capabilities.
so don't you feel so sad
Therefore, there is no need to feel upset or unhappy about our past struggles.
when you think of the times
If you reminisce about those difficult times,
they've tried to tell you that you're no good
the moments when people doubted and criticized your abilities will come to mind.
over and over again
It was a recurring theme or pattern that happened frequently.
we were no one then
There was a time when we were insignificant and did not matter to anyone.
but we're together so we're not no one now
However, our partnership has given us stronger identity and significance, making us no longer feel worthless.
And in this mad affair, they're onto us again
Amidst this crazy situation, we are under watch and in trouble yet again.
who never had a prayer of ever fitting in
We never stood a chance of conforming and belonging to the norm, no matter how hard we tried.
we're nervous wrecks
We are anxious and stressed out individuals.
we've got the world breathing down our necks
We are constantly under pressure and scrutiny from others around us.
but your hair looks great, and that's the main thing
Despite everything else, you still look good, and that is what matters most.
so come on down
Let us enjoy and participate in this event that is about to happen.
the show has just begun
This event is just starting, and there is a lot more to come.
for two audiences of one
We may be the only ones in the audience, but that should not dampen our spirits.
I'll be yours if you'll be mine
Let us stick together, and I will be your partner if you will be mine.
and we'll do just fine
As long as we are together, we can manage and succeed in whatever comes our way.
because we're not no one now
Our current identity and significance make us feel worthy and not insignificant.
I suppose no one knows where it all will lead
We cannot predict the future and where our current path will take us.
who will care, who we'll spare, how we're gonna plead
We do not know who will support us, who may be affected, or how we will defend ourselves.
I don't know, I don't know where we're gonna fail
Uncertainty surrounds us, and we cannot pinpoint where we will make mistakes or encounter failure.
In their notes, down their throats, up against a wall?
Are we going to be scrutinized, criticized, or face a dead end?
because there's never ever gonna be enough time
There will never be sufficient time to make amends or seek justice.
to pay them back for what they did and said
The people who wronged us with their actions and words will never receive justice.
soon the subjects will be dead
Eventually, the individuals who wronged us will be gone and irrelevant.
but who cares about them
We do not need to worry about them or their actions anymore.
'cause we're not no one now.
We have each other, and we have significance now, making us not feel worthless.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind