Formed at Georgia Tech in 1998, Painful Reminder played some half-dozen shows around campus, solicited to do so by friends and strangers alike who had heard recordings shared over the campus network. With only word of mouth, they managed to sell more than 90 copies of their self-released CD, "One Way Ticket: Songs To Slit Your Wrists By".
No More
Painful Reminder Lyrics
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I made it through the night only breaking seven bottles and a hand
I watched a psycho serial killer movie on the cable TV
They said, "How could he do those things?"
And all I said was, "How can you not see?"
I never used to smoke, but now
I take a certain pleasure in pain
And you better do your homework before you
No more
No more
I can't take it anymore
No more
No more
I walked into the night, down the highway, with a backpack and a gun
I don't know what I wanted, I just knew I couldn't stand it home alone
I walked up to a homeless man. He said, "God bless you, spare me just a dime"
I said, "Hell no that asshole won't.
Don't you think I've asked a hundred times?"
It's lonely here without you.
It's lonely here without you.
And I don't know who I'm talking to,
But it's lonely here without you.
The lyrics of "No More" by Painful Reminder describe the inner turmoil and loneliness of the singer. The first stanza talks about the singer's night where the neighbors had loud sex that kept them up until 4 a.m. The singer deals with this situation by breaking seven bottles and a hand, suggesting that they may have turned to self-harm or destructive behavior as a coping mechanism. The singer then watches a movie about a psycho serial killer and wonders how people can't see the signs that someone may have issues that lead to such behavior. This suggests that the singer may be feeling misunderstood and isolated, wondering if anyone can empathize with their own struggles. The stanza ends with the line, "you better do your homework before you start trying to tell me I'm insane" which suggests that the singer may have faced criticism or judgement for their behavior in the past.
The second stanza describes the singer's impulsive decision to leave their home with a backpack and a gun, without clear intentions of where to go or what to do. They walk up to a homeless man and reject his plea for money, angering him. This could suggest that the singer may be projecting their own feelings of desperation and frustration onto the situation. The last lines of the song express how lonely the singer feels and how they are unsure who they are even talking to. They seem to be struggling with a sense of identity and purpose, questioning what their existence means without the presence of someone they care for.
Overall, the song conveys a feeling of unrest and a sense of disconnection from both others and oneself. The singer seems to be struggling with personal demons that they cannot express to others, leading to a sense of isolation and an inability to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
The neighbors fucked like goddamn little weasels until 4 a.m.
The neighbors were engaging in noisy sexual activity until late at night, disturbing the singer.
I made it through the night only breaking seven bottles and a hand
The singer had a rough night, breaking a hand and seven bottles, likely due to being upset and overwhelmed.
I watched a psycho serial killer movie on the cable TV
The singer watched a disturbing movie about a serial killer, which likely added to their stress and anxiety.
They said, "How could he do those things?"
People in the movie expressed shock and disbelief over the actions of the serial killer portrayed.
And all I said was, "How can you not see?"
The singer was frustrated that people were not more aware of the types of things that could lead a person to become a killer.
I never used to smoke, but now
I take a certain pleasure in pain
The singer has started smoking and seems to be embracing pain as a way of coping with their emotions.
And you better do your homework before you
Start trying to tell me I'm insane
The singer is defensive and does not want to be judged or labeled as mentally ill without proper understanding of their situation.
No more
No more
I can't take it anymore
No more
No more
The singer has had enough and cannot handle their current situation any longer, feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.
I walked into the night, down the highway, with a backpack and a gun
The singer left their home with a gun and a backpack, in a state of desperation and seeking escape or relief.
I don't know what I wanted, I just knew I couldn't stand it home alone
The singer was feeling so isolated and miserable at home, they had to leave, even if they didn't know where they were going.
I walked up to a homeless man. He said, "God bless you, spare me just a dime"
The singer encountered a homeless man and was asked for money.
I said, "Hell no that asshole won't.
Don't you think I've asked a hundred times?"
The singer refused to give the homeless man any money, feeling bitter and frustrated that they were asked.
It's lonely here without you.
The singer is lonely and misses someone who is no longer present.
It's lonely here without you.
The singer reiterates their loneliness and need for connection.
And I don't know who I'm talking to,
But it's lonely here without you.
The singer is so isolated and desperate for companionship they are willing to speak to anyone, even if they do not know them.
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.