NUFAN's debut album, Incognito, was released in 1990 through New Red Archives. The band has released a single and one more full-length on this label, until signing up with Fat Mike's label, Fat Wreck Chords, on 1993. At that year, No Use For a Name released its first record on Fat, The Daily Grind, which turned to be a highly successful album.
In 1995, After the release of Leche Con Carne, their fourth full-length, Chris Shiflett (now in the Foo Fighters and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes) and Matt Riddle (also in Pulley) joined the band to play Guitar and Bass, respectively. In 1997, after the success of Making Friends, the band went on a worldwide tour through U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan.
Chris left the band to play in the Foo Fighters, so now they have Dave Nassie playing guitar
The band released their 8th full-length album, titled Keep Them Confused, on June 14th, 2005. It takes a more political, philosophical and religious position than earlier releases.
A greatest hits collection titled All the Best Songs was released on July 10, 2007.
A new fourteen song full-length studio album entitled The Feel Good Record of the Year was released on April 1, 2008. In 2009, when promoting the album in Europe, Dave Nassie left the band to join the ranks of Bleeding Through. In August 2009 the band announced, that they replaced Nassie with Lagwagon's guitarist and founding member of RKL, Chris Rest.
In December of 2010, Rory Koff announced to the band he would need time off from touring to go full time with his snowplow business and eventually was replaced by new full-time drummer Boz Rivera (of King City, RKL, and The Mad Caddies.). Koff was the last remaining member of the original 1987 No Use for a Name line up.
Since 2010, No Use for a Name has been working on a new album.
Tony Sly tragically passed away on August 1, 2012.
Redemption Song
No Use For A Name Lyrics
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Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the almighty
We forward in this generation
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
All I ever had, is songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
Redemption songs, redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Yes some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
All I ever had, redemption songs
These songs of freedom, songs of freedom
The lyrics to No Use For A Name's song "Redemption Song" are a powerful commentary on oppression, resilience, and the human spirit's ability to endure and persevere in the face of adversity. The song speaks to the experience of enslavement, both physical and mental, and the struggle for liberation and freedom. The first verse draws on the image of old pirates stealing and selling people into slavery to draw a connection between the past and present, reminding listeners that the legacy of slavery and oppression lives on.
However, the song continues with a message of hope and determination. The singer's hand may have been forced, but it was made strong by the "almighty," suggesting a belief in a higher power and divine intervention. The chorus then calls on listeners to join in singing "songs of freedom," emphasizing the importance of community and solidarity in the struggle for liberation. The second verse encourages listeners to "emancipate" themselves from mental slavery, a reminder that oppression takes many forms and that true freedom comes from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates yes they rob I
In the past, there were pirates who stole from me
Sold I to the merchant ships
Those pirates sold me to the people who own ships for their own gain
Minutes after they took I
It didn't take long for them to take me once they had the opportunity
From the bottomless pit
I was taken from a place where it felt hopeless and endless
But my hand was made strong
Despite everything that happened, I became stronger
By the hand of the almighty
I was given help from a higher power
We forward in this generation
We continue to progress and move forward in this time
Triumphantly
We do so with joy and triumph
Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom
Can you join me in singing these songs of freedom?
All I ever had, is songs of freedom
All I had to express myself was through songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had, redemption songs
These songs of freedom are also about redemption for myself and others
Redemption songs
These songs are about finding redemption and hope
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Free yourself from being mentally trapped or enslaved
None but ourselves can free our minds
We are the only ones who can truly free ourselves from mental limitations
Have no fear for atomic energy
Don't be afraid of things like nuclear energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
No matter what happens, time will continue to move forward
How long shall they kill our prophets
How much longer will people be allowed to harm those who speak out for change?
While we stand aside and look
While we do nothing and just watch
Some say it's just a part of it
Some people believe that it is simply a part of life
We've got to fulfill the book
We need to do what is written or expected of us to make a change
These songs of freedom, songs of freedom
Once again, these songs are about finding freedom and hope
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind