Their debut album, "Everything Sucks" (1995), was an underground hit and led to a deal with Mojo Records (see also Mojo), an indie label. "Turn the Radio Off" (1996) established the band in the underground music scene, and they began touring throughout the USA. After the single "Sell Out" began breaking into the mainstream, including MTV, the album made an appearance on the charts. The ska revival was short-lived, however, and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?" (1998) did not lead the group to the mainstream.
Reel Big Fish released "Cheer Up" (2002) which began a movement into harder rock and pop sounds, with much less ska than the previous albums. The song "Where Have You Been?" was aimed at a wider audience, trying to drop the less popular ska sound, but was met with little mainstream success, despite the video. Their second most recent studio album was "We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy" (2005).
They recently released "Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album" (2006) which includes 2 discs worth or their own tunes and a few covers of popular songs along with a DVD. They have worked on the soundtrack to BASEketball, which included a cover of A-Ha's Take On Me.
In 2006, they split from Jive records, who produced a "Best of" album against the will of the band, who could not prevent the release. The band has made a campaign to try and stop people buying the album.
Their 7th album "Monkeys For Nothing and the Chimps For Free" (2007) includes some songs that were previously recorded and released on other albums. It was also the first album with the band's new label, Rock Ridge Records.
In 2009, they released "Fame, Fortune, and Fornication" an album composed of covers of older songs, including "Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, and "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison.
In 2012, Reel Big Fish released "Candy Coated Fury", which is their second album on Rock Ridge Records. This album was met with heavy amounts of criticism from fans and reviewers alike. PunkNews.org gave the album a 2/10.
in 2014, they released "Happy Skalidays", a holiday themed EP.
Their current release is 2018's "Life Sucks... Let's Dance!", which gained generally positive reviews from fans and critics.
Current members:
Aaron Barrett - guitar, lead vocals (1992–present)
Dan Regan - trombone, backing vocals (1994–present)
John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
Ryland Steen - drums (2005–present)
Derek Gibbs - bass guitar (2007–present)
Past members:
Ben Guzman - vocals (1992–1994)
Zach Gilltrap - keyboards/synthesizers (1992–1994)
Lisa Smith - guitar (1992–1994)
Eric Vismantes - trumpet (1994)
Stephan Reed - saxophone (1994)
Robert Quimby - trombone (1994–1995)
Adam Polakoff - saxophone (1994–1995)
Grant Barry - trombone (1995–1998)
Andrew Gonzales - drums (1992–1998)
Tavis Werts - trumpet (1994–2001)
Carlos de la Garza - drums (1999–2003)
Tyler Jones - trumpet (2001–2004)
Justin Ferreira - drums (2003–2005)
Matt Wong - bass, backing vocals (1992–2007)
Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1995–2011)
Nothin'
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say try and you won't fail I get nothin' (nothin')
I did all that I could I got nothin' (nothin')
I tried so hard for nothin' (nothin')
I never wanted it that way guess there was nothin' I could say
I don't know what I want
But I know I don't want this
I give up I give in I know I'm never gonna win
I know it's really not your fault
I'm gonna blame you anyway
You say you're sorry but I know it won't do no good
I give up, I give in, I know I'm never gonna win.
I don't fuckin' care, I don't fuckin' care
I don't fuckin' care anymore
It's gonna be all right
Cause I don't fuckin' care anymore.
The lyrics to Reel Big Fish's song "Nothin'" convey a sense of frustration and disappointment with striving for success and always falling short. The singer has tried so hard, but consistently gets nothing in return, despite being told that trying is supposed to lead to success. The repetition of "nothin'" emphasizes the feeling of emptiness and futility.
The line "I never wanted it that way, guess there was nothin' I could say" suggests that the singer is resigned to their situation, but also perhaps feels helpless to change it. They don't know what they want, but they know they don't want this - this constant feeling of failure.
The blame-shifting in the second verse ("I know it's really not your fault, I'm gonna blame you anyway") further emphasizes the singer's feelings of powerlessness and frustration.
The repeated refrain of "I don't fuckin' care anymore" suggests that the singer has given up entirely on trying to succeed and is instead adopting an apathetic attitude towards their situation. The line "it's gonna be all right" reads more like a resignation to a persistent and unchangeable negative state, rather than a moment of hope.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nothin'" convey a sense of disillusionment with society's expectation of success and the singer's own inability to fulfill that expectation.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I try so hard I get nothin' (nothin')
Despite my hard work and effort, I always end up with nothing to show for it.
They say try and you won't fail I get nothin' (nothin')
The common saying that trying leads to success doesn't hold true for me as I still end up with nothing.
I did all that I could I got nothin' (nothin')
No matter how much I put in, it always results in nothing.
I tried so hard for nothin' (nothin')
My immense efforts and hard work never paid off.
I never wanted it that way guess there was nothin' I could say
The outcome is not what I expected or wanted, but there is nothing that can be done about it now.
I don't know what I want
I am unsure of my desires and aspirations.
But I know I don't want this
I am certain that whatever I am experiencing is not what I desire.
I give up I give in I know I'm never gonna win
I have lost all hope and acceptance of my current situation and have come to terms with the fact that I may not succeed.
I know it's really not your fault
I am aware that you are not to be blamed for my situation.
I'm gonna blame you anyway
However, I am still going to hold you accountable for my lack of success, even though it is not your fault.
You say you're sorry but I know it won't do no good
Apologies do not have any positive impact on my situation.
I don't fuckin' care, I don't fuckin' care
I have reached a point where I am indifferent to everything and no longer care about the outcome.
I don't fuckin' care anymore
I have lost my zeal and enthusiasm for anything, and nothing holds any value or interest to me.
It's gonna be all right
Despite my current state of mind, everything will eventually work out fine in the end.
Cause I don't fuckin' care anymore.
I am simply indifferent to any consequences and have lost all attachment or interest in what is happening around me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Aaron Barrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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