Ryan grew up both on the baseball field and in the choir. He excelled in sports- and music. In his freshman year of high school Ryan picked up a guitar simply because he wanted to learn.
Self taught, Ryan quickly found guitar was a natural fit.
But, after getting recruited by Division 1 baseball teams, Ryan had to make a choice.
After getting to school and realizing baseball wasn't where his heart was, he turned his focus to music, and started writing and playing songs for his friends and family.
He quietly stole the hearts and minds of all that hear his evocative and earnest songs. He has played at his college's coffeehouse "The Need" Open Mic night twice and won the students vote at Battle of the Bands.
No Sé
Ryan McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don’t understand why no one’s saying what they mean (no se)
Addressing all the problems, never solving what’s between (no se)
Them and everything that they’ve been wishing they could see (no se)
Voices all around us keep us slave to company
No se (x5)
Staring at a screen like what it gives us is foolproof (no se)
Everybody want to feel like they been understood (no se)
We don’t want to understand ourselves the way we should
No se (x8)
The lyrics of Ryan McDermott's song "No Se" seem to express feelings of confusion, frustration, and disillusionment with the way society operates. In the first verse, McDermott laments the fact that people seem to talk around issues without truly solving them or speaking honestly. The second verse critiques our reliance on technology, pointing out that we often prioritize the information we receive from screens over seeking out the truth for ourselves. Overall, the lyrics suggest a desire for more authentic communication and connection, rather than simply going through the motions of societal conventions.
The repeated refrain of "no se" serves to emphasize the singer's lack of understanding or clarity about the situations he describes. This may also be a nod to McDermott's cultural background, as "no se" is a phrase commonly used in Spanish to express confusion or uncertainty. The tone of the song is introspective, with the singer questioning both himself and others. Despite the frustration he feels about the state of things, there is a sense of hope that runs through the lyrics, as the singer seems to recognize that change is possible if we are willing to look beyond the superficial.
Line by Line Meaning
I don’t understand why no one’s saying what they mean (no se)
I am confused as to why people don't speak honestly and directly about what they truly mean.
Addressing all the problems, never solving what’s between (no se)
We focus on solving issues, but ignore the underlying emotions and relationships causing them.
Them and everything that they’ve been wishing they could see (no se)
People are dissatisfied with their lives and wish they could manifest their desires.
Voices all around us keep us slave to company (no se)
The constant influence of others keeps us from truly being ourselves.
I don’t understand why no one’s looking for the truth (no se)
I am puzzled by the fact that people don't actively seek out the truth.
Staring at a screen like what it gives us is foolproof (no se)
We rely too heavily on technology and don't question its accuracy and reliability.
Everybody want to feel like they been understood (no se)
We have a deep desire to be understood by others.
We don’t want to understand ourselves the way we should
We neglect the importance of self-awareness and introspection.
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.