Their upcoming EP (DE)HUMANISE takes Naz & Ella into a moody and gritty direction while still retaining their raw and intimate sound by blending folk, post-punk, and grunge influences such as The Cranberries, Nirvana and PJ Harvey.
Naz & Ella have received plays across BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio London and Radio DIVA, including a performance live on BBC Introducing Beds, Herts and Bucks.
No
Naz & Ella Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under a veil of darkness
Haze of alcohol
Feel your eyes
Following me
My senses stir
I'm the prey
Anonymous
Not responsible
No doesn't mean convince me
I said no, doesn't mean convince me
No doesn't mean convince me
I said no, doesn't mean convince me
I'm done
With feeling like a piece of meat
I'm human too
It's time
This normalised behaviour
Is put to sleep
I'm a person
You're a predator
Identified
Held responsible
No doesn't mean convince me
I said no, doesn't mean convince me
No doesn't mean convince me
I said no, doesn't mean convince me
Sexualised then demonised when we don't reciprocate
Sexualised then demonised when we don't
(I know my mind)
Sexualised then demonised when we don't reciprocate
(I know my mind and I won't play)
Sexualised then demonised when we don't
I know my mind
I know my mind and I won't play
I know my mind
I know my mind and I won't play
How many times do I have to tell you to leave me alone?
Didn't you hear me the first time?
I said no
The song "No" by Naz & Ella speaks about an issue that plagues many people around the world - unwanted advances and sexual harassment. The beginning of the song talks about a situation where the singer is at a party or a club, and someone is staring at them. The environment is hazy, thanks to the alcohol around the place. Even though the singer senses that something is off, they can't quite put their finger on it. The singer goes on to describe themselves as the prey, and the perpetrator as the hunter. The word anonymous is used, indicating that it's not someone known to the singer.
As the song progresses, we see that the singer is frustrated with this normalized behavior. They don't want to be treated like a piece of meat and need the other person to respect their boundaries. They use the phrase “No doesn't mean convince me” multiple times, putting forth the message that no means no, and it's not up for negotiation.
The next section of the song goes on to describe how women are sexualized, but when the scenario doesn't go as planned for the other person, the women are demonized for exercising their agency. The singer highlights the importance of knowing one's own mind, which is not up for playing around. The song sheds light on how these experiences are legitimate, and one doesn't need to downplay or justify their feelings.
Overall, the song No by Naz & Ella highlights the importance of respecting boundaries and consent. It speaks about an issue that is not talked about enough, and it encourages people to take a stance and stand up for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Lights out
The environment is dark and unclear
Under a veil of darkness
The environment is obscure and confusing
Haze of alcohol
The presence of alcohol is blurring the perception of senses
Feel your eyes
Sensing the gaze of the other person
Following me
The other person seems to be interested and persistently following
My senses stir
Feeling uneasy and disturbed by the situation
I'm the prey
The person is feeling hunted
You're the hunter
The other person is the hunter
Anonymous
The other person is unknown and unfamiliar
Not responsible
The other person is not accountable for their actions
No doesn't mean convince me
A clear message is being conveyed- saying no should be respected
I said no, doesn't mean convince me
Reiterating the importance of consent- no should always mean no
I'm done
The person is fed up and frustrated
With feeling like a piece of meat
Feeling objectified and dehumanized
I'm human too
The person is asserting their own humanity
It's time
An insistence that change is overdue
This normalised behaviour
The widespread acceptance of unacceptable behavior
Is put to sleep
The idea of such behaviour should be eradicated
I'm a person
The person is highlighting their individuality, free from objectification
You're a predator
The other person is predatory in nature
Identified
The person's actions and motives are clearly seen
Held responsible
The person is accountable for their actions
Sexualised then demonised when we don't reciprocate
Unwanted advances being made, followed by shaming and guilt-tripping
I know my mind
The person is confident in their decisions and thoughts
I know my mind and I won't play
The person is clear that they will not engage in such behavior
How many times do I have to tell you to leave me alone?
Repetition of the message, stating that the other person is not taking the hint
Didn't you hear me the first time?
Reiterating the importance of the initial message
I said no
Clear communication is being done
Lyrics © DistroKid, SENTRIC MUSIC
Written by: Ella Patenall, Nasreen Toorabally
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind