No More From Netflix's film tick tick...BOOM! feat. Andrew Garfield
Robin de Jesus Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stop the clock
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you lose the bout

Freeze the frame
Back it up
Time to refocus
Before they wrap it up

Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger

Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't fight it, like taxes
At least it happens only once in your life

They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just want to lay down and cry
Not just another birthday
It's 30/90

Why can't you stay twenty-nine?
Hell, you still feel like you're twenty-two
Turn thirty, 1990
Bang, you're dead, what can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?

Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more approach
Before you're out of gas

Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean-up batter
On a team that ain't a winner

Don't freak out, don't strike out
Can't fight it, like City Hall
At least you're not alone
Your friends are there, too

They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey

Can you be optimistic?
You're no longer the ingenue
Turn thirty, 1990
Boom, you're passé, what can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Which way to Never Never Land?
Emerald City's gone to hell
Since the wizard blew off his command

On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
You're not into making choices, wicked witches
Poppy fields or men behind the curtain
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Clock is ticking, that's for certain

And they're singing, "Happy Birthday" (happy birthday)
I just wish it all were a dream
It feels much more like Doomsday
Fuck 30/90

Seems like I'm in for a twister
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Turn thirty in the '90s
Into my hands now the ball is passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is calling, it's now or Neverland
Why can't I stay a child forever, and

30/90, 30/90 (30/90)
30/90, 30/90 (30/90)
30/90, 30, 30/90 (what)
What can I do?




30/90, 30, 30/90
What can I do?

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "No More" performed by Robin de Jesus in the Netflix film tick, tick...BOOM!, featuring Andrew Garfield. The song speaks to the fear and anxiety that many people feel as they approach their 30th birthday, symbolized by the line "30/90".


In the first verse, the lyrics emphasize the need to pause and reflect before moving forward. Time is slipping away, and the pressure is building to achieve something significant before it's too late. The mention of lines on the face getting longer and feeling like treading water represents the feeling of aging and being stuck in a stagnant situation.


The second verse explores the fear of entering a new stage of life and the nostalgia for younger days. The lines "Why can't you stay twenty-nine?" and "turn thirty, 1990, bang, you're dead, what can you do?" express the desire to hold onto youthful energy and innocence. The reference to taxes suggests that reaching 30 is an inevitable event, like paying taxes, but it only happens once in a lifetime.


The third verse delves into the struggles and insecurities that come with aging. The mention of friends getting fatter and hairs getting thinner reflects the physical changes that occur over time. Feeling like a clean-up batter on a losing team indicates the frustration of not achieving desired goals. The line "your friends are there, too" provides some comfort in knowing that others are facing similar challenges.


The final verse includes references to iconic fictional characters and places, such as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and the Emerald City. These references symbolize the longing for a carefree and magical existence, contrasting with the realities of life and the pressures of growing older. The line "clock is ticking, that's for certain" emphasizes the urgency that comes with the passage of time.


Overall, these lyrics capture the anxieties, hopes, and desires that many individuals experience as they approach a milestone birthday. The fear of getting older and the desire to hold onto youth are themes that resonate throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Stop the clock
Pause and take a break


Take time out
Give yourself a moment to relax


Time to regroup
Gather yourself and find focus


Before you lose the bout
Before you face defeat


Freeze the frame
Hold on to a specific moment


Back it up
Go back and reconsider


Time to refocus
Time to regain concentration


Before they wrap it up
Before it comes to an end


Years are getting shorter
Time feels like it's passing more quickly


Lines on your face are getting longer
Visible signs of aging


Feel like you're treading water
Feeling stagnant and not making progress


But the riptide's getting stronger
Life challenges are becoming more intense


Don't panic, don't jump ship
Stay calm and don't give up


Can't fight it, like taxes
Like something inevitable, cannot avoid it


At least it happens only once in your life
It's a unique experience


They're singing, 'Happy Birthday'
Celebrating another year of life


You just want to lay down and cry
Feeling overwhelmed and emotional


Not just another birthday
This birthday feels different


It's 30/90
Turning 30 years old in the year 1990


Why can't you stay twenty-nine?
Wishing to remain young and avoid aging


Hell, you still feel like you're twenty-two
Feeling young at heart despite the years


Turn thirty, 1990
Reaching the age of 30 during the year 1990


Bang, you're dead, what can you do?
The realization of mortality


Clear the runway
Prepare for another attempt


Make another pass
Try again


Try one more approach
Find a different strategy


Before you're out of gas
Before you run out of energy


Friends are getting fatter
People around you are changing physically


Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Experiencing hair loss


Feel like a clean-up batter
Feeling the pressure to fix things


On a team that ain't a winner
Among a group that's not succeeding


Don't freak out, don't strike out
Stay calm and don't give up


Can't fight it, like City Hall
Like an immovable force


At least you're not alone
Others are facing similar challenges


Your friends are there, too
You have support from your friends


Can you be optimistic?
Is it possible to stay positive?


You're no longer the ingenue
You're no longer a naive, young person


Turn thirty, 1990
Reaching the age of 30 during the year 1990


Boom, you're passé, what can you do?
Suddenly outdated and irrelevant


Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Symbols of youth and playfulness


Which way to Never Never Land?
Searching for eternal youth


Emerald City's gone to hell
The idealized place has deteriorated


Since the wizard blew off his command
The person in charge lost control


On the streets you hear the voices
Hearing the struggles of others


Lost children, crocodiles
Symbolic references to challenges


You're not into making choices, wicked witches
Not wanting to make difficult decisions


Poppy fields or men behind the curtain
Conflicting options and hidden truths


Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Symbols of magical or enticing things


Clock is ticking, that's for certain
Time is passing and can't be stopped


And they're singing, 'Happy Birthday'
Birthday celebrations continue


I just wish it all were a dream
Desiring an escape from reality


It feels much more like Doomsday
Feeling overwhelmed by negativity


Fuck 30/90
Expressing frustration with turning 30 in 1990


Seems like I'm in for a twister
Expecting a chaotic experience


I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Lack of hope or positivity


Turn thirty in the '90s
Reaching the age of 30 during the 1990s


Into my hands now the ball is passed
Taking control of the situation


I want the spoils, but not too fast
Desiring success without rushing


The world is calling, it's now or Neverland
Feeling the pressure to act


Why can't I stay a child forever
Longing for eternal youth


And 30/90, 30/90
Repeating the significance of turning 30 in 1990


30/90, 30/90
Repeating the significance of turning 30 in 1990


30/90, 30, 30/90
Repeating the significance of turning 30 in 1990


What can I do?
Feeling helpless in the situation


30/90, 30, 30/90
Repeating the significance of turning 30 in 1990


What can I do?
Feeling helpless in the situation




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jonathan Larson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@nenitastar99

You can def hear the influence of this song in the opening of RENT, in the first notes, some of the lyrics, I love it, is like stepping into Jon's mind, inspiration and real life memories.

@hannahdoesacting5820

Ikr!

@BlueYoshi85

Michael was such a fantastic character. You really see how much Jonathan loved Matt O'Grady.

@nerd_1356

This gives me 90s/2000s vibes (in a good way) love it

@luke803

It literally is! :)

@violamandyfinnigan5463

Oh really xD

@inkbright_

the whole thing is set in the 90's 😭

@michelleneal6860

This song just bleeds 90’s grunge vibes all over classic Broadway. It’s like Shaw, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bernstein, Sondheim, and ALW we’re all hanging out in some garage in Seattle, drinking coffee and doing heroine. I love it so much!

@lanetower3411

Excellent number! The friendship between these two was beautiful.

@chafas9683

We do need a Rent movie directed by Lin

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