No Motiv is an alternative rock and punk rock band from Oxnard, California … Read Full Bio ↴No Motiv is an alternative rock and punk rock band from Oxnard, California signed to Vagrant Records. As of 2006, No Motiv were the 'oldest' Vagrant band, having been with Vagrant Records longer than any other artist on the Vagrant roster. The current No Motiv line up includes former bassist Roger Camero behind the drum kit. Camero never left the band, but rather moved to the drums when drummer Pat Pedraza left the band to join alternative rock band From Satellite. Their first album, Cynical, was distributed by Edge Records. No Motiv eventually left Edge for unspecified reasons, though a 'falling out' is what is assumed.[citation needed] Their second album Scarred is a collection of unreleased demos and remixes also released by Edge Records. The band is known for rarely, if ever, playing songs from these two albums at their live shows. Friends of the band have also been noted as saying that there are demo tapes that sound better than the quality on Scarred.[citation needed] The band had its greatest success with the 2004 release Daylight Breaking, which reached #36 on Billboard's Top Independent albums chart.During the past two years, No Motiv has played only one live show. It took place on June 11, 2006, at the Livery Theatre in Ventura, CA, as a benefit show for the closing of the venue, as well as a reunion of legendy sadcore band The Whereabouts.

While No Motiv never released an official statement announcing their breakup, the band is considered to be on hiatus and inactive at the present time. Jeremy and Jeff reside in Ventura, CA, and have started recording material under a new band called Monster Hand. Max lives in Oxnard and has been recording material under a solo project called Gentlemen. Roger is enrolled in recording classes at Long Beach City College, resides in Irvine, CA, and is writing songs for school projects and for fun under the name He Fails Me.

All band members remain close friends to this day, and also are involved in many side projects in addition to the ones mentioned above, such as Hybrid Moments, Death Country Blues, and Machines.

Solemn
No Motiv Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You've lost me now again
Burns my heart away
For me to hear you say
Words so solemn
It's hurting now again
Now that you're away
Forgive me as I stare into your eyes
Tears me up inside

At last I must decide
Can I just be friends with you?
What am I supposed to do?
I'll find another way to see this heartache through
You make a fool of me
For you it's so easy
I've tried my best to keep
My pride within me
I know it sounds sad to say
But I'm in your way
Because there is nothing I can do or say to make it right
Tears me up inside
At last I must decide
Can I just be friends with you?
What am I supposed to do?
I'll find another way to see this heartache through
I'm blinded by the light of love I have for you
Won't you come with me?

I'll lead the way for you
I can't compare the sadnes that I feel away from you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to No Motiv's song "Solemn" express the universal feeling of heartbreak and unrequited love. The opening lines express the singer's disappointment and heartache as the object of their affection disappears once again. It hurts them deeply to hear the words of farewell, which are spoken with such solemnity. The pain of separation is felt deeply, and in the second half of the verse, the singer asks for forgiveness as they longingly stare into their lover's eyes. They must decide whether they can truly just be friends, but it tears them up inside, and they are blinded by the light of love that they have for this person.

The first verse is followed by a chorus that repeats the question of whether the singer can just be friends with their lover, as they try to find another way to move on from this heartache. The second verse adds to the emotional weight of the lyrics as the singer continues to express their pain and how their pride has been affected by their unrequited love. They feel like they are in the way, but there is nothing they can say or do to make it right.

The bridge of the song begins in a more hopeful tone as the singer reaches out to their lover asking them to come with them and says that they will lead the way. However, the final line of the bridge is a reminder that the sadness is still present even when the object of affection is not around. The song finishes with one final repetition of the chorus, which reinforces the singer's struggle to find a way to move on from the relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

You've lost me now again
I feel disconnected and distant from you once again.

Burns my heart away
The pain I feel inside is almost unbearable.

For me to hear you say
Your words have a profound effect on me.

Words so solemn
Your words are serious and grave.

It's hurting now again
The pain is back and it's intense.

Now that you're away
Since you're no longer with me, I feel lonely and lost.

Forgive me as I stare into your eyes
I can't help but focus on you, even though it hurts me.

Tears me up inside
The emotional pain is overwhelming.

At last I must decide
It's time for me to make a choice.

Can I just be friends with you?
Is it possible for us to have a platonic relationship?

What am I supposed to do?
I'm at a loss and unsure of what to do next.