“The first misconception about Oh No Not Stereo,” explains vocalist and one half of this rocking duo, Sky Nielsen, “is that we don’t like stereo and we play everything in mono, or that we record in mono.” Other half, Mykul Lee, is also a multifaceted multi-instrumentalist, much like his partner in this stereophonic unit. Nielsen’s ear-damaging ATV accident in 1993 may have inspired the act’s unique name, but the moniker was never meant to suggest they’re anti-high fidelity. Formed in 2003—Lee from Oklahoma, Nielsen out of Utah—this pair immediately lit up the Los Angeles night skyline with their hard and fast, yet always melodic and original, dynamic rock ‘n’ roll.
Taking their DIY ethic to the highest possible degree, Nielsen sings and plays nearly everything—from guitars, to keyboards, to bass—while Lee provides drums, acoustic guitars, and piano, to name but a few weapons in their combined arsenal. Having wrote, performed, produced, and released their latest collaboration, entitled 003, themselves, the duo imbedded their unique fingerprint on all aspects of the project. To put the finishing touches on this latest effort, Oh No Not Stereo also enlisted Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, Yellowcard, Anberlin) to mix the songs and Jim Wirt (Incubus) to add his studio expertise, while bringing along The Section Quartet for sophisticated strings in strategic spots. Nevertheless, the act still enrolls a touring bassist and guitarist on the road, to better transfer their studio accomplishments to concert stage in real life.
From the very get-go, with the gutsy guitar riff that announces 003’s opener, “Let’s Get It Started,” Oh No Not Stereo immediately separate themselves from other contemporary duos. These musicians are many times fast and edgy, yet always passionate and articulate. Nielsen and Lee have never seen an instrument they couldn’t master, and steadfastly refuse to ‘take it easy’ when playing live.
Whether in the studio or on stage, Oh No Not Stereo make big, bold, beautiful noise, which never fails to leave a huge and lasting impression—no matter how you experience their music.
Let's Get It Started
Oh No Not Stereo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna see what you've been hiding
In the lie you call a life
You sit alone in your empty apartment
With a phone that isn't ringing
And bad habits on your mind
You see yourself on the television
It's all part of your new direction
To the beginning of the end
This is what you wanted...
Hey! Let's get it started!
You aged a couple years
When you changed your favorite song
You did it now that you get it
Always gotta prove it to yourself
You traded all your friends
For a life that you can't lead
You did it now that you get it
On and on you do it all so well
It's what you wanted.
Hey! Let's get it started!
In the song Let's Get It Started by Oh No Not Stereo, the lyrics critique and challenge the idea of living a life that is drowned by bad habits and a hollow existence. The first stanza speaks of how the singer doesn't want to waste time and wants to see what the person he is addressing has been hiding in the lie they call a life. The lyrics then go on to depict a person who is lonely and bored in their apartment, with a phone that isn't ringing and bad habits on their mind.
The second stanza talks about how the person sees themselves on television, which in turn puts an end to their lonely evening. This suggests that they are living vicariously through television instead of living a fulfilling life of their own. The lyrics mention that this is all part of their new direction, which leads to the beginning of the end. The chorus then states "This is what you wanted...Hey! Let's get it started!", emphasizing the point that the person is living the life they chose, but it's empty and unfulfilling.
The third stanza goes on to explain how the person aged a couple of years when they changed their favorite song, and how they always feel the need to prove things to themselves. The lyrics then mention how they traded all their friends for a life they cannot lead, but continue to do things so well. The chorus then repeats, encouraging the person to continue with their lifestyle, despite the underlying message of emptiness and despair.
Overall, the song is a commentary on societal pressures, and how people often trade their happiness and relationships for a fleeting sense of success and validation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not here to waste your time
I'm serious and I'm not going to waste your time.
I wanna see what you've been hiding
I want you to reveal your true self to me.
In the lie you call a life
You're living a life that is not authentic or true to yourself.
You sit alone in your empty apartment
You're isolated and lonely in your living space.
With a phone that isn't ringing
You're waiting for someone to contact you, but they're not.
And bad habits on your mind
Your mind is occupied with negative behaviors or thoughts.
You see yourself on the television
You're trying to find validation or satisfaction through media consumption.
It put an end to your lonely evening
Watching TV ended your loneliness for the moment, but it's not a long term solution.
It's all part of your new direction
You're making a change in your life.
To the beginning of the end
The change you're making might not lead to a positive outcome.
You aged a couple years
Your behavior or choices have aged you beyond your years.
When you changed your favorite song
Certain things you used to enjoy are no longer appealing to you.
You did it now that you get it
You made mistakes and now you understand the consequences.
Always gotta prove it to yourself
You constantly feel the need to prove yourself or your worth.
You traded all your friends
You sacrificed relationships in order to pursue this change in your life.
For a life that you can't lead
Despite making these changes, you can't truly live the life you want.
On and on you do it all so well
You've gotten good at pretending or putting up appearances.
It's what you wanted.
Despite everything, these changes are what you wanted.
Hey! Let's get it started!
Let's begin this new chapter or pursue the changes we wanted.
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Animatronic . Robotics
Excellent! And Skyler is one of the most humble, chill TALENTED guys I have met! Go man go!
Cartman Eric
most underrated band ever!!!
omgwtf444
Diggin the music. Hope u guys go far.
bart van der hee
awsome song!!!! I wish I can write songs like that!!!!!
fineasski
Fantastic stuff!!! The band is Oh No Not Stereo.
Aaron Rogers
Great song Great band
Enter a name here
Guys rocked live!
ABadessa42
ONNS sang at my bro's bachelor party! it was great
RobertMartinMusic
I don’t know what made me think of this song after all these years but I have to say...I still fuckin love this song.
Felipe osorio
you guys are amazing do you know something??? have a number one fan in colombia jejeje keep rocking guys