Singer/Guitarist Matt Bishop grew up on the Essex coast where the edgy glitz of Southend seafront did nothing more than inspire Madison Square Garden fantasies. After hearing T-Rex's 'Electric Warrior' when he was 4 years old he wrote his first song called "It's My Shadow So Leave It Alone". While other kids were at school learning the three Rs he was studying the three Bs, Bowie, Bolan and Blur, skipping lessons to write songs about girls, more than 200 (songs, not girls) by the time he was 16. Realizing that the musical monkey wasn't getting off his back, he learned to play every instrument he could find, then he asked everyone he met what their favorite album was and played it over and over again, searching for its secret....that moment on every album when it all comes together, by accident or design, the essence of music, the holy grail of the song. From Beck to 10cc to Jon Spencer to Weezer to Captain Beefheart and back to Blur, it was getting obsessive and becoming mental, taking over his life, listening and listening and writing and writing and playing and recording and twitching until at last, his friends Ollie Thomas (guitar), Max Tite (bass) and Jimmy G (drums) saved him, by agreeing to form a band, share the obsession and spread the load. Switches gigged around the south until they begged a support slot with their current favorite band, The Rakes, taking them around the UK and all the way to Texas. Having released their debut album "Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D. they are now touring across the UK. See www.myspace.com/weareswitches for details.
The band released a blog post on their MySpace on October 17, 2009, saying that they had split up some time in 2008.
SWITCHES are an Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, rock band whose members are: Tara on guitar, vocals; Tamar on drums, vocals; Stefan on organ, occasional vocals; Marlaena on bass, vocals. As of early 2016 they have four releases: Switches (July 2013), Switches EP (Nov 2013), I just wanna LP (Nov 2014), All My Darlings EP (Jan 2016). switchesband.bandcamp.com
No Hero
Switches Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
Don't pretend to be surprised
'Cause you can see through my disguise
Don't you know I wish that I could be a better lover?
Don't you wish that you could let me see a thing or two?
But I'd just rather watch you bleed
It's true, so what will you do?
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
Don't expect to be amused
Because I am only to abuse you
Don't I wish that I could ever see a better lover?
You've got everything you need
Don't I wish that I could let you see a thing or two?
But you'd just rather watch me bleed
It's true, so what will I do?
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
No hero, no hero
Oh, I'm no hero
The song "No Hero" by Switches is about someone who isn't proud of who they are, and doesn't want to be seen as a hero. The repeated line "No hero, no hero" emphasizes this point, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves and others that they are not heroic. The opening lines "Don't pretend to be surprised / 'Cause you can see through my disguise" suggest that the singer is not fooling anyone with their act. They feel inadequate as a lover and are unable to show vulnerability to their partner ("Don't you know I wish that I could be a better lover?").
The lines "Don't you wish that you could let me see a thing or two? / But I'd just rather watch you bleed" suggest that the singer is not interested in learning from their partner, and is perhaps even enjoying their partner's vulnerability. The song presents a dynamic where the singer and their partner are both unhappy in the relationship ("Don't expect to be amused / Because I am only to abuse you"). They are both wishing that the other could be a better lover, but neither is able to show vulnerability.
Overall, "No Hero" is a song about a relationship that lacks honesty and vulnerability, and how this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and an inability to be a hero or someone worthy of admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
No hero, no hero
The artist repeatedly emphasizes that they are not a hero
Oh, I'm no hero
The artist explicitly states that they are not a hero
Don't pretend to be surprised
The artist notes that the listener should not act surprised
'Cause you can see through my disguise
The artist acknowledges that the listener can see past their facade
Don't you know I wish that I could be a better lover?
The artist openly desires to be better at love
I've got everything I need
Despite their shortcomings as a lover, the artist feels adequately equipped in other areas
Don't you wish that you could let me see a thing or two?
The artist wishes the listener were more open to their guidance
But I'd just rather watch you bleed
Despite their supposed desire to help, the artist would prefer to see the listener suffer
It's true, so what will you do?
The artist challenges the listener to come to terms with the truth of their intentions
Don't expect to be amused
The artist warns the listener to not expect to enjoy their company
Because I am only to abuse you
The artist admits that their actions towards the listener may be harmful
Don't I wish that I could ever see a better lover?
The artist wishes they could find someone who is better suited for them
You've got everything you need
The artist notes that the listener is more self-sufficient than they are
Don't I wish that I could let you see a thing or two?
The artist wishes they could help the listener improve their situation
But you'd just rather watch me bleed
The artist believes the listener does not trust them and/or would like to see them suffer
It's true, so what will I do?
The artist reflects on their situation and how they should proceed
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MATT BISHOP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind