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.
Not Your Savior
No Use for a Name Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glamour obsessed, told how to dress, and shown how to think
And I don't have a job, but I can show you how to be a slob
So many days, wasted and glazed
Sometimes I laugh aloud as I think about,
You asking me "Please can you help?"
Can't help my self
A cowardly mistake I've made so many times before, refusing to break
Cut my losses ties them with you, like a good boy I'll pretend
And promise not to do it again
Do you remember when, life was so simple and permanent?
Everyone's changed, "Everyone's cool", Everyone sucks
But I can't seem to complain, Exciting and new is just not there
You're getting scared
I'm not your savior, never thought I was anyway
I'm a void with empty promises that backs out late
Never said I'd change, taking back the words that we spoke
Like a fuel tank running dry, you'll believe it when I choke
The lyrics of "Not Your Savior" by No Use For A Name convey a sense of disillusionment with societal expectations and the pressure to conform. The opening lines describe a young person who is being directed towards a predetermined path in life, being told "how to dress, and shown how to think." Meanwhile, the singer feels lost and directionless, with "wasted and glazed" days. The chorus, "I'm not your savior, I'm not who you want me to be," emphasizes that the singer cannot meet the expectations placed upon them by others.
The second verse delves deeper into the theme of change and the loss of innocence. The line "Everyone's changed, 'Everyone's cool,' Everyone sucks" suggests a sense of alienation and disappointment with how people have evolved over time. The singer cannot find excitement in the same things they used to, and is unable to articulate their frustrations. The repeated line, "You're getting scared," suggests that the other person is becoming aware that the relationship is not what they thought it was, and that the singer is unwilling or unable to be what they want.
In the final chorus, the singer takes responsibility for their mistakes and admits that they cannot be who the other person wants them to be. They acknowledge the "empty promises" they've made in the past, and describe themselves as a "void" that cannot fulfill the expectations placed upon them. The line "taking back the words that we spoke" suggests a sense of regret for promising things they couldn't deliver. In the final line, "you'll believe it when I choke," the singer seems to be acknowledging that the other person will only understand the extent of their disillusionment and frustration when it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Unlucky seventeen, already handed plans for the future
At a young age, I was already given a set of predetermined plans for my future, leaving no room for exploration.
Glamour obsessed, told how to dress, and shown how to think
From the beginning, I was taught to focus on appearance and conform to societal norms, rather than develop my own thoughts.
And I don't have a job, but I can show you how to be a slob
Although I may not have a traditional occupation, I still possess knowledge on how to ignore responsibility and be lazy.
So many days, wasted and glazed
Often I find myself drifting through days with no true purpose or meaningful experiences.
Sometimes I laugh aloud as I think about, You asking me "Please can you help?" Can't help my self
Despite you pleading for assistance, I am unable to help you due to my selfish ways and lack of motivation.
I'm not your savior, I'm not who you want me to be
I cannot be the hero you envision in your mind, as I struggle with my own faults and limitations.
A cowardly mistake I've made so many times before, refusing to break
I often choose the easy path in life, ignoring the risks and refusing to step outside my comfort zone.
Cut my losses ties them with you, like a good boy I'll pretend
I am willing to let go of certain relationships and bury my true feelings in order to maintain a façade of contentment.
And promise not to do it again
Despite knowing deep down that I will likely continue to make similar mistakes in the future, I still pledge to avoid that behavior once more.
Do you remember when, life was so simple and permanent?
Looking back, life used to feel straightforward and unchanging, but now it seems to be full of unknowns and complications.
Everyone's changed, "Everyone's cool", Everyone sucks
People around me have changed with time, adopting new trends and attitudes, some of which I disagree with or find distasteful.
But I can't seem to complain, Exciting and new is just not there You're getting scared
Although I recognize these changes, I lack the energy to speak out or fight back, leaving me feeling unfulfilled and causing you anxiety.
I'm not your savior, never thought I was anyway
I never saw myself as capable of fixing all of your problems or saving you from life's hardships.
I'm a void with empty promises that backs out late
I often make commitments that are beyond my capacity or willingness to follow through, leaving you disappointed and unfulfilled.
Never said I'd change, taking back the words that we spoke
Even though I may have made promises or vows to improve, I no longer have the drive or motivation to keep them.
Like a fuel tank running dry, you'll believe it when I choke
Eventually, my facade will crumble and my lack of effort will become apparent, causing you to lose faith in me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TIOPEDRASTA
"Not Your Savior"
Unlucky seventeen, already handed plans for the future
Glamour obsessed, told how to dress, and shown how to think
And I don't have a job, but I can show you how to be a slob
So many days, wasted and glazed
Sometimes I laugh aloud as I think about,
You asking me "Please can you help?"
Can't help my self
I'm not your savior, I'm not who you want me to be
A cowardly mistake I've made so many times before, refusing to break
Cut my losses ties them with you, like a good boy I'll pretend
And promise not to do it again
Do you remember when, life was so simple and permanent?
Everyone's changed, "Everyone's cool", Everyone sucks
But I can't seem to complain, Exciting and new is just not there
You're getting scared
I'm not your savior, never thought I was anyway
I'm a void with empty promises that backs out late
Never said I'd change, taking back the words that we spoke
Like a fuel tank running dry, you'll believe it when I choke
@windomearle5548
My go-to 90's melodic/pop-punk anthems...
"Kate is Great" by The Bouncing Souls
"Bullion" & "No Cigar" by Millencolin
"Hammering Out the Details" by Ten Foot Pole
"May 16" by Lagwagon
"Girl in the Green Jacket" by Bigwig
"Takeoffs and Landings" by The Ataris
"Not the Same" by Bodyjar
Missing countless awesome tracks. Will most likely edit this post 1,000,001 times as they come to me...
@pheloverz
Unlucky seventeen, already handed plans for the future
Glamour obsessed, told how to dress, and shown how to think
And I don't have a job, but I can show you how to be a slob
So many days, wasted and glazed
Sometimes I laugh aloud as I think about,
You asking me "Please can you help?"
Can't help my self
I'm not your savior, I'm not who you want me to be
A cowardly mistake I've made so many times before, refusing to break
Cut my losses ties them with you, like a good boy I'll pretend
And promise not to do it again
Do you remember when, life was so simple and permanent?
Everyone's changed, "Everyone's cool", Everyone sucks
But I can't seem to complain, Exciting and new is just not there
You're getting scared
I'm not your savior, never thought I was anyway
I'm a void with empty promises that backs out late
Never said I'd change, taking back the words that we spoke
Like a fuel tank running dry, you'll believe it when I choke
@tirompe
My 3 years old son like to listen this song ever!
Thanks Tony! Always in our hearts!
@jameswalker7075
So crazy how good this band is. Been a huge fan from the beginning. You will be so missed Tony Sly. Your legacy is forever. They give me goose bumps with their extremely good talent.
@TIOPEDRASTA
"Not Your Savior"
Unlucky seventeen, already handed plans for the future
Glamour obsessed, told how to dress, and shown how to think
And I don't have a job, but I can show you how to be a slob
So many days, wasted and glazed
Sometimes I laugh aloud as I think about,
You asking me "Please can you help?"
Can't help my self
I'm not your savior, I'm not who you want me to be
A cowardly mistake I've made so many times before, refusing to break
Cut my losses ties them with you, like a good boy I'll pretend
And promise not to do it again
Do you remember when, life was so simple and permanent?
Everyone's changed, "Everyone's cool", Everyone sucks
But I can't seem to complain, Exciting and new is just not there
You're getting scared
I'm not your savior, never thought I was anyway
I'm a void with empty promises that backs out late
Never said I'd change, taking back the words that we spoke
Like a fuel tank running dry, you'll believe it when I choke
@DJSTEVENDRO
This song I covered when I was in high school, when we're young, Thanks NUFAN and RIP Tony Sly... to make a Beautiful music... 👍👍👊👊🔥🔥
@chloesepko7332
No Use for a Name just has this way of making me want to break down and cry but it makes me so happy at the same time.. It's those melodies, and Tony Sly, it's beautiful
@elison2885
i feel the same!!!! cheers from brazil baby !!!
@asmongoldsmouth9839
Chloe Sepko although 3 years old of a comment, The Ataris have the same emotional effect. It's the chord progressions played and notes sang along with octave harmony. Very melodic. There are a lot of 1/2 note step ups and downs too like in 50's music.
@dakotachoate76
Yes.
@dakotachoate76
I say yes, as a tear rolles down my cheak.
@francoisdorval4800
This band was sooooooo good that just unreel how this band sound .. just perfect 👌