The song was originally composed on the acoustic guitar, and two versions were recorded: one with country and folk influence, one with punk rock influence. Producer Matthew Wilder preferred the former, and the other, which the band preferred, was lost in a studio accident. The studio pressed No Doubt to use the folk version on Tragic Kingdom, but the band refused to record "Spiderwebs", another single from the album, unless it could re-record the punk version of "Excuse Me Mr." In 1997, the single reached number seventeen on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.
Excuse Me Mr.
No Doubt Lyrics
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I'm holding signs up on your street corner stops
Like most you try not to see me
Stare straight ahead, ignore the responsibility
Excuse me (excuse me, mister)
Well, I've been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your timeI'm very anxious, eager, willing
What's your billing? (Anxious, eager, willing)
So please excuse me, mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me, mister
I've known you too long
All I need is a little of your time
Oh
For most, love comes for free
They don't pay the high cost of mental custody
I'll pay bail for a guarantee
Make space for me in the time yet to be
Excuse me (excuse me, mister)
Well, I've been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I've been saving up my life
What's your price? (Saving up my life)
So please excuse me, mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me, misterI've known you for too long, boy
All I need is a little of your time
What should I do? I'm about to crack
And there's a force that comes over me
It's almost as if I'm tied to the tracks
I'm waiting for him to rescue me
The funny thing is, he's not going to come
He's not going to find me
This is a matter of a fact, the desire you lack
This is the way I guess it has to be
A Little of your time
I need a little of your time
Please, a little of your time, yeah
So please excuse me, mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me, mister
I've known you for too long boy
All I need is a little of your time
Ooh, I'm in line to buy time
I'm in line to buy time
I'm in line to
I'm in line to
Excuse me
Well, I've been waiting in line
Excuse me
Excuse me, mister
The song "Excuse Me Mr." by No Doubt speaks to the frustration of feeling ignored and undervalued. The opening lines paint the picture of a beggar on a street corner, holding a sign and asking for help, while most people ignore the situation and carry on with their own lives. The singer of the song is asking for a little of the person's time, and their reluctance feels like a personal affront.
The song then moves into a frustration with the cost of love and relationships. The singer seems to recognize that love often comes free to most people, but for them, it comes at a high cost. They are willing to pay it, but they need someone to give them a chance. They feel trapped and waiting for rescue, but they also acknowledge that it may not come. In the end, all they want is a little bit of time from the person they are addressing.
The song's message is powerful in its simplicity, and it speaks to the universal experience of feeling undervalued and ignored. It's a call to action for people to take notice of those around them who may be struggling and to extend a helping hand.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like a beggar with no luck
I am desperately in need, but have no success or fortune to aid me
I'm holding signs up on your street corner stops
I am publicly displaying my need for help in hopes of attracting attention
Like most you try not to see me
You, like many others, ignore my struggles and choose to look the other way
Stare straight ahead, ignore the responsibility
Instead of acknowledging your role in helping those in need, you remain apathetic and refuse to take responsibility
Well, I've been waiting in line
I have been patiently waiting for the chance to speak with you
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I am requesting your attention and aid in my time of need
I'm very anxious, eager, willing
I am excited and enthusiastic about the prospect of receiving your help
What's your billing? (Anxious, eager, willing)
What is the cost that comes with receiving your assistance? I am eager to pay it
You've got things all wrong
Your perceptions and actions are misguided and need adjustment
You make it feel like a crime
Your reactions to my requests or need for help feel as if I have committed a wrongdoing
I've known you for too long
I have been aware of your lack of help or negative perceptions towards me for an extended period of time
All I need is a little of your time
I am not asking for much, just a small amount of your time and attention to help me
For most, love comes for free
Love and affection are often given freely and without cost
They don't pay the high cost of mental custody
Those who freely receive love and affection do not realize the emotional burden that comes with it
I'll pay bail for a guarantee
I am willing to do whatever it takes and pay any necessary cost for assurance and support
Make space for me in the time yet to be
Allow me a place in your future and your plans to help me
What should I do? I'm about to crack
I am desperately struggling and feel as though I am about to break
And there's a force that comes over me
I am overcome with a powerful, overwhelming feeling
It's almost as if I'm tied to the tracks
I feel trapped and helpless, with no escape from my current situation
I'm waiting for him to rescue me
I am hoping and waiting for someone to come to my aid and help me through my struggles
The funny thing is, he's not going to come
I have come to the realization that no one will come to help me, and I must rely on myself
This is a matter of a fact, the desire you lack
It is a simple truth that you do not have the willingness or desire to help me
I need a little of your time
I require a small amount of your time and attention for assistance
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Thomas Dumont, Gwen Stefani
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AJtheEngiqueer
Lyrics
I'm like a beggar with no luck
I'm holding signs up on your street corner stops
Like most you try not to see me
Stare straight ahead, ignore the responsibility
Excuse me (excuse me, mister)
Well, I've been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I'm very anxious, eager, willing
What's your billing? (Anxious, eager, willing)
So please excuse me, mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me, mister
I've known you too long
All I need is a little of your time
Oh
For most, love comes for free
They don't pay the high cost of mental custody
I'll pay bail for a guarantee
Make space for me in the time yet to be
Excuse me (excuse me, mister)
Well, I've been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I've been saving up my life
What's your price? (Saving up my life)
So please excuse me, mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me, mister
I've known you for too long, boy
All I need is a little of your time
What should I do? I'm about to crack
And there's a force that comes over me
It's almost as if I'm tied to the tracks
I'm waiting for him to rescue me
The funny thing is, he's not going to come
He's not going to find me
This is a matter of a fact, the desire you lack
This is the way I guess it has to be
A Little of your time
I need a little of your time
Please, a little of your time, yeah
So please excuse me, mister
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me, mister
I've known you for too long boy
All I need is a little of your time
Ooh, I'm in line to buy time
I'm in line to buy time
I'm in line to
I'm in line to
Excuse me
Well, I've been waiting in line
Excuse me
Excuse me, mister
@evagiilbert
i love gwen’s control of her voice, it’s so unique and she uses it so well
@rebeccaspratling2865
Yes. She may not have a huge range but what she does with what she has is amazing. She uses her instrument well.
@h7opolo
exactly.
@TheWholeEntireCake
She’s got a voice for ska for sure! Perfect for the style. (And other styles, she’s done a couple different genres and succeeded at all).
@TriciaH-b7i
Mister😂🎉 ❤
@IJustFiguredThisOut
Gwen is just an awesome lady. She is easily one of the best female frontmen of all time
@santelmo5222
Easily one of the best lead singers period!
@allysonmessina1785
+Zdawg1029 COMPLETELY AGREE, WAS JUST THINKING THAT! No doubt as a whole are incredible! Such a kick ass band, and will always be a classic!!
@johnhippisley9106
Brains00007 Do you call a girl 9th grader a Freshwomen?
@JohnBrown-pq9tj
@@johnhippisley9106 You're like a tiny child.