The band originally consisted of Eugene Reynolds (born Alan Forbes) vocals; Fay Fife (born Sheilagh Hynde) vocals; Jo Callis guitar; William Mysterious (born Alastair Donaldson), saxophone; Angel Patterson (born Alan Patterson), drums; Hi-Fi Harris guitar; Dr D.K. Smythe bass guitar and Gale Warning (Gail Jamieson) backing vocals. The Rezillos' early live repertoire included versions of songs originally recorded by the likes of the Sweet, Screaming Lord Sutch, Fleetwood Mac (in the guise of Earl Vince and the Valiants) and the Dave Clark Five. Bootleg recordings exist of this stage of the band's history.
This line-up released their first single "Can't Stand My Baby" on the indie record label, Sensible Records. This led to a major recording contract with Sire Records, home at that time to such other rising new wave acts as Talking Heads and The Ramones. The band also underwent a transformation, shedding both Hi-Fi Harris, Dr. D.K. Smythe, and two backing singers. William Mysterious then shifted to bassist for the band's debut album Can't Stand The Rezillos, widely regarded as a classic of both punk rock and New Wave. A second single "Flying Saucer Attack" / "My Baby Does Good Sculptures" grazed the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart, and contained different versions of the songs found on the album release. Like the first single, it is considered highly collectable.[citation needed]
However, the quintet reached the Top 20 of the UK chart with their third single, "Top of the Pops" in 1978. By this time, William Mysterious had left the band to be replaced by another bass player Simon Templar (a pseudonym for Simon Bloomfield). The single version of "Top of the Pops" features him, whilst the album version was recorded with William Mysterious.
After releasing their debut album Can't Stand The Rezillos — also in 1978 — Reynolds and Fife left the original band. The live LP Mission Accomplished but the Beat Goes On remains as a testament to the original line-up. A final single, "Destination Venus" made the lower reaches of the UK chart, and earned them a final appearance on the actual Top of the Pops, a long running BBC One TV programme.
No
Rezillos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama Mama can I stay out 'til late in the dark?
Mama Mama don't over-protect me now
I just want to have some fun at night
But I can hear you say
No!
Because I'm not old enough
Because I've been told enough
No!
Because I should listen to my pa
What's wrong with the kids from the wrong end of town?
They're my friends 'cause they always want me around
Hey Mama don't underestimate them now
We're gonna have fun when the sun goes down
But I can hear you say
No!
Because I'm not old enough
No!
Because I've been told enough
No!
Because I should listen to my pa
Hey baby shall we go for a stroll in the park?
Hey baby shall we stay out 'til late in the dark?
Hey baby if you overreact to me now
Then we can really have some fun tonight
But I can hear you say
No!
Because I'm not old enough
No!
Because I've been told enough
No!
Because I always listen to my ma
No!
Because I'm not old enough
No!
Because I've been told enough
No!
Because I always listen to my
Ma
It's clear that "No" by The Rezillos is all about adolescence and the desire to break free from parental rules and restrictions. The song begins with the singer asking if they can climb trees in the park and stay out late, but their mom denies them permission. The singer asserts that they simply want to have fun at night and that they can hear their mom say "no" before she even speaks. It's clear that the singer feels constricted by their mom's rules and wants to rebel.
The second verse is where the rebelliousness really starts to come through. The singer questions why their mom underestimates their friends from the "wrong end of town." They argue that these friends always want them around and that they'll have fun when the sun goes down. However, the singer can again hear their mom's voice saying "no," this time because they should listen to their father.
The final verse seems to take on a more romantic tone, with the singer asking their partner if they can go for a walk in the park and stay out late. They tell their partner that if they overreact, they'll really have some fun tonight. However, the singer can once again hear their mom saying "no," and this time they assert that they always listen to their mom, showing that they haven't completely rebelled against her.
Overall, "No" is a fun and energetic song that captures the restlessness and rebellion of youth. It speaks to the desire to break free of parental rules and restrictions and have some fun, even if it means staying out late in the dark. The song also implicitly critiques the idea that parents always know what's best for their children, as the singer questions why their mom underestimates their friends and asserts that they should be able to make their own decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama Mama can I climb all the trees in the park?
Asking permission to climb all the trees in the park.
Mama Mama can I stay out 'til late in the dark?
Asking permission to stay out late at night.
Mama Mama don't over-protect me now
Asking their mother not to be overprotective.
I just want to have some fun at night
Expressing the desire to have fun at night.
But I can hear you say
Hearing their mother's response to their requests.
No!
Because I'm not old enough
No!
Because I've been told enough
No!
Because I should listen to my pa
Their mother's response, citing reasons such as not being old enough, being told enough, and listening to their father.
What's wrong with the kids from the wrong end of town?
Questioning the societal stigma against kids from the 'wrong end' of town.
They're my friends 'cause they always want me around
Stating that they have good friendships with those from the wrong end of town.
Hey Mama don't underestimate them now
Asking their mother not to underestimate their friends from the wrong end of town.
We're gonna have fun when the sun goes down
Looking forward to having fun at night with their friends.
Hey baby shall we go for a stroll in the park?
Asking their significant other to go for a walk in the park.
Hey baby shall we stay out 'til late in the dark?
Asking their significant other to stay out late at night.
Hey baby if you overreact to me now
Warning their significant other not to overreact.
Then we can really have some fun tonight
Suggesting that they can have even more fun if their significant other doesn't overreact.
No!
Because I'm not old enough
No!
Because I've been told enough
No!
Because I always listen to my ma
Reiterating their tendency to listen to their mother's 'no' and citing reasons such as not being old enough and being told enough.
Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.