Good Boys Don't Make Noise (2006)
Build It Up (2008)
It’s not every day that a beach record is birthed on the tundra. One for the Team’s sophomore release, “Build It Up,” is a record chock full of loud, sunny, sparkling, pop-gems of an alarmingly contagious magnitude with constant dueling male/female vocals and enough harmonies to melt the icicles from the Minnesota winter that created it.
While the record was written by Ian Anderson quietly on an acoustic guitar in his bedroom, it was assembled and shaped by a group of friends who took what once were introverted, gentle songs, to the extroverted, poppers that they now are.
However, the lighthearted exuberance felt on “Build it Up” did not happen overnight. For years, Anderson worked in the shadows, running seemingly endless musical projects from behind the curtain. From starting the tremendously successful Afternoon Records, a publicity firm, a popular music blog all while maintaining his position as patriarch of the youthful Minneapolis music scene, Anderson spent a long time out of the spotlight prior to this release.
One for the Team’s first album, “Good Boys Don’t Make Noise,” was written, performed, and recorded almost entirely by Anderson in the midst of this hubbub. It was a lonesome process of late night weekends involving only a basement, a computer, and perhaps Star Wars playing on mute on a television nearby.
So it may come as somewhat of a surprise to see Anderson letting go of the reins, stepping out from behind the curtain, and embracing the lights head-on. Along with lead singer and keyboard player Grace Fiddler, drummer Elliot Manthey, bassist John Krueger, and lead guitarist Bill Caperton, One for the Team are ready to step out together with their new record, having found a happy vehicle to do so in Long Beach, California record label The Militia Group.
It’s not easy to concede control for someone like Anderson, who is accustomed to steering the whole ship. But then, maybe that’s a lot of what this record is about: growing up, letting go, getting let down, learning from your losses, being happy just to be here with the people you love and admire. That’s all here. And it’s all been done.
But what's different about One for the Team is the way in which they refuse to wallow in their own small private miseries. They would rather blast an enormous ray of sunshine into dark closets, crush the doors down with unruly guitar crunch, and throw a wicked picnic with all their friends afterwards. This record and this band want to bring the party to your house. They want you to step out of whatever shadows you're hiding in, sing tunes, smash guitars, bang on drums, and let it all go.
This band isn't about a posture of cool or seeking credibility through meaningless weirdness. They are taking the music that has always brought them joy and imbuing them with the unique vision that comes from living in the snow for most of the year. Get out your balaclavas and your speedos because One for the Team has been partying since yesterday.
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Oh No
One For The Team Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll make a phone call to your wife
Oh no, when it's over
I'll be sure to get your invite
I know what it's like to be one of them
I know what it's like
I know what it's like to be one of them
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you need me
Tell me that you're leaving
And you're sorry you ever met me
Oh no, when you're older
I'll teach you how to fight
Oh no, when it's over
You'll see a golden light
I know what it's like to be one of them
I know what it's like
I know what it's like to be one of them
That's why I'm so nice
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you need me
Tell me that you're leaving
And you're sorry you ever met me
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you need me
Tell me that you want me, oh
Tell me that you need me
The lyrics of "Oh No" by One For The Team indicate a feeling of betrayal and bitterness towards an individual who has wronged the singer. The opening lines suggest that the singer may take revenge on this person by calling their wife, indicating that they may have personal information that can harm this person’s relationships. The lyrics go on to suggest that the singer knows what it is like to be in the other person's shoes - to have experienced the same traits that led to the betrayal. This understanding, however, has not made the singer forgiving, and they still feel intense anger towards the other person.
The lyrics also include a repeated plea for the other person to tell the singer that they want and need them, further suggesting the depth of the singer's resentment. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics take on a more sinister tone as the singer talks about teaching the other person how to fight and seeing a "golden light" when it's over. Overall, the song seems to be a biting portrayal of a person who feels wronged and is looking for retribution, possibly due to the other person's infidelity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no, when it's over
Expressing concern or worry about a certain time in the future - when a specific event ends
I'll make a phone call to your wife
Planning an action to contact the spouse of the person being addressed after the specified event ends
Oh no, when it's over
Repeating concern or worry about a certain time in the future- when a specific event ends
I'll be sure to get your invite
Making sure to receive an invitation for a future event despite the mentioned event ending
I know what it's like to be one of them
Having an understanding of what it feels like to be part of a certain group or situation
I know what it's like
Reinforcing the fact that the singer has gone through a similar experience as the listener
I know what it's like to be one of them
Reasserting the understanding of the singer about the situation of the listener
That's why I'm so nice
Explaining the reason behind the artist's positive and friendly behavior
Tell me that you want me
Asking to be told directly that the listener desires or craves the artist
Tell me that you need me
Requesting the listener to directly communicate that the artist is needed
Tell me that you're leaving
Asking for a direct statement of the listener wanting to abandon the relationship
And you're sorry you ever met me
Also wanting a direct admission of remorse from the listener about meeting the artist
Oh no, when you're older
Again expressing concern or worry about a certain time in the future- when the listener has aged
I'll teach you how to fight
Promising to instruct the listener on how to defend themselves in the future
Oh no, when it's over
Once again expressing concern or worry about a certain time in the future- when a specific event ends
You'll see a golden light
Assuring that the ending of the event mentioned will bring something positive
Tell me that you want me
Repeating the request to hear directly that the listener desires the artist
Tell me that you need me
Repeating the request to hear directly that the listener is reliant on the singer
Tell me that you want me, oh
Reiterating the desire to hear directly that the listener craves the singer
Tell me that you need me
Reiterating the request to hear directly that the listener relies on the artist
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.